Hops to It for a Beer-Tasting Benefit in Fullerton

More than a dozen West Coast micro-breweries will arrive in Fullerton bearing beer this weekend. They are participating in a “Karnival of Beers” taste test and fund-raiser. Proceeds (after expenses) from the $25-per-person admission will benefit the Food Partnership trucking program and the Food Distribution Center, a nonprofit operation in Orange that supplies soup kitchens and the like.

The two-day event is being hosted by the Fullerton Hofbrau Brewery and Restaurant, near the corner of State College Boulevard and Chapman Avenue. Three beer tastings are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday: from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 to 3 p.m., and 3 to 5 p.m.

There will be samples of more than 31 beers including Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Anchor Brewing Co. Old Foghorn, Grant’s Imperial Stout and, from the Big Rock Brewery, Buzzard’s Breath Ale and Warthog Ale. The ticket price includes unlimited samples of beer.

Participants, who must be 21 or older, can also partake of an open buffet, which will feature fish and chips, sausages and stuffed cabbage rolls.

Although the public may be sampling the micro-brewery beers, the judging will be done by certified experts. Categories include ales, lager, weizen and specialty beers.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, (213) 480-3232. Fullerton Hofbrau Brewery and Restaurant, 323 N. State College Blvd. (714) 870-7400.

Thirteen of Orange County’s restaurants will present a series of gourmet dinner parties Tuesday and Wednesday to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County. Guests attend the restaurant of their choice for multi-course dinners matched with wines from the Robert Mondavi Winery. Mondavi is a sponsor of the event.

Dinners are priced at $65 and $90, and all proceeds go to the charity. Participating restaurants are Antoine, Antonello, Black Sheep Bistro, Carmelo’s, The Cellar, Ghandi, La Ferme, The Golden Truffle, La Vie En Rose, Pascal, Trees, Tutto Mare and The White House. For information and reservations, call (714) 544-7773.

In a recent item, Newsbites erred when reporting the sale of Mione’s restaurant in Lido Village. The establishment’s former owner was Carlo Mione. The dinner house was incorrectly referred to as a deli, and its owner was identified as John Mione, Carlo’s brother.