Whelp, it turns out that I am psychic. I can predict the future. Shocking, I know! Sign me up to assist the police and work on a hotline because I knew what was going to happen before it actually came to pass. The Orange County Brew Ha Ha was exceedingly impressive, as predicted. Fun was had by all. Hand over all your cash now and I will give you a discounted rate on a reading using my newfound gift.

The event this year managed to outdo itself once again and bring the pain (in the form of new and exciting breweries, beers, food, games, and bands). Just when you think you’ve seen it all…BAM there’s a life-size foosball game being played with vigor by a bunch of smiling coeds in the middle of a beer event. Go figure! Only you, Brew Ha Ha, and that’s why I love you. Well, one of the reasons anyway.

I don’t know about the other attendees, but I was bouncing on the soles of my feet just thinking about getting some 21st Amendment and Cascade beer. That stuff isn’t easy to find here in So Cal and if you are lucky the Haven restaurants have some. I was incredulous that there was barely a line when I finally made my way over to 21st Amendment’s booth. “I want everything!” I exclaimed as I stepped closer to the edge of the table adorned with beers begging to be consumed. The beer pourer produced a half-smile and said, “You gotta pick one.” I agonized between the Bitter American, Hell or High Watermelon and the Brew Free or Die IPA and finally settled for the watermelon. I love that beer so hard. I was savoring my beer in the shade behind the 21st Amendment stand when I noticed a beautiful pile of their lovingly designed cans. I love this beer so much I bought Sean (husband) a Hell or High Watermelon Wallet. That’s saying something. I snapped a few pics of the cans and it might be my favorite capture of the day.

There are so many other notable beers to talk about. Derek from Newport Beach Brew Co brought 6 sours in total and killed it. I had one of his sours with cucumber aged in wine barrels that was so damn delicious. Derek always has something unexpected and original to share at beer events and he didn’t disappoint this year. The Brew House had the Flowering Gose by Almanac and a Surly beer on tap and when I heard about it in passing I almost ran over to them for a pour. They nailed it. The Gose from Almanac was light and tart and utterly satisfying in the hot hot heat that bore down on the attendees. No matter, because there was plenty of water and mist action to keep everyone in good spirits.

I also really enjoyed the dry stout from I & I Brewing, everything from Bravery, gulped enthusiastically the Blonde from Four Sons while muttering “guhhh I this beer is so gooood”, the saison “change-of-pace” from Hoparazzi, and the list goes on. It was cool seeing the new breweries I had recently posted about getting a lot of love by the attendees and secretly just because I like to whisper to myself “you helped them get that exposure they deserve.” Thanks for that satisfaction, subconscious.

The bands were entertaining, breweries plentiful, and water supply was seemingly endless like some magical water fairy didn’t stop supplying everyone with ice-cold water. I was the most well-hydrated and composed I have ever been this year post brew ha ha. The only thing that got to me was the sun and that’s because, well, bitches’ be pale. It was so much fun to reconnect with some beer friends I haven’t seen in a while and I ended-up chatting with some people for a long time, but still managed to get a good amount of tasters in. I really don’t know how, but I predict next year’s event will be even more epic. You can take that to the bank! Cheers!