Crafts collide in a jubilee of beer tasting, gourmet bites, art shows and live music at the fifth annual BAM Fest this Sunday in Santa Monica.
Benefitting the 18th Street Arts Center, now in its 25th year, the Beer Art and Music Fest brings together L.A.'s ultimate pairing of local art and live entertainment, food trucks and beer – so much beer. More than 40 breweries will be there pouring unlimited sips in commemorative cups. Local breweries include Venice Duck Brewery, Santa Monica Brew Works, El Segundo Brewing Co, Three Weavers, King Harbor and the popular Golden Road, Smog City and Angel City.
"For the beer connoisseur, this year’s BAM Fest is showcasing limited release seasonal beers such as Hangar 24 Craft Brewery’s Seasonal Oktoberfest and dark strong ales like Brother Thelonious Belgium Style Abbey Ale from North Coast Brewing Company, which partners with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in support of Jazz education. Along with their Golden Road Hefeweizen, Golden Road Brewing will also be featuring their Might As Well IPL, a lager highlighting bold passion fruit and pear contributed by Galaxy and Calypso hops." – BAM Fest
Among the open art studios and installations, this year's fest offers "Crash Courses," 20-minute, mini-educational sessions led by beer, wine and art experts in a range of topics, such as how to pick out food flavors from different beers and how to pair art with wine and beer.
For those who prefer wine over beer, there will be a curated selection of fine wines to sample hosted by Wine Enthusiast, Allie Merrick, as well as non-alcoholic home-brewed sodas by the Maltose Falcons, America’s oldest home-brewing club. Food options include DogTown Dogs, Baby’s Badass Burgers, Cousins Main Lobster, India Jones Chow, Meet-the-Greek and the Border Grill Truck.
Sunday's festivities run from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 at the door. Proceeds benefit 18th Street Arts Center, an artists' residency program celebrating its 25th anniversary.
BAM Fest // 18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th St., Santa Monica
Photos courtesy Tap & Cheer