James Pardieu and Richard McChinak, co-chairmen of the Battle of the Brews 2025 join Steve Jaxon and Herlinda Heras on Brew Ha Ha. Richard was in the studio last year on this episode to promote the same event.
Battle of the Brews 2025 will be Saturday April 12 from 1-5 PM at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. This year marks the 25th annual event. It is sponsored by the Active 20-30 Club of Santa Rosa, a charity organization for persons between age 20 and 39. Members age out at 40, so there are always new people on the scene.
More than half of the event is about BBQ now. There is also cider, Kombucha and mead. Herlinda is judging the beer competition in the morning, for the 11th or 12th year. The first time she remembers being the only female judge, but that’s not the case anymore.
Admission is $95 which includes all you can eat and all you can drink, responsibly! All the money raised goes to serve underprivileged youth in Sonoma County. Last year they raised over $72,000 and they have totaled over 1.5 million dollars over the last several years.
The club uses the funds they raise for many local charities targeting youth. The have contributed to the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. Each member also participates in shopping for school supplies, benefiting over 200 kids last time. There are constant needs. "If there’s a need, we’re here to fill it.” Each chapter has their own area that they support.
Visit our sponsor Pizzaleah in Windsor for the finest pizza menu and the most authentic flavors around! 🍕🍻
Leah Scurto, the owner of PizzaLeah, is going to Parma for the world pizza championship, April 8-10.
The Battle of the Brews is not only about beer because now they include coffee and teas and tisanes. There will be at least 50 breweries, a few coffee and tea shops and so far 18 confirmed restaurants and probably more by show time. HenHouse and Old Caz are among the breweries.
Russian River Brewing Co. is open in Santa Rosa on 4th St. and at their big Windsor location. Visit their website for up-to-date hours, menus, beers and more.
The 20-30 club has different chapters all around the country and also some outside the US. There will be visitors from Panama this year. The club has some members who attended some events as children, then grew up and joined the society.
DJ Rob Cervantes will be there, and the band Voodoo Vultures will play their only event of the year.
In December they hold an event for children who would not otherwise be able to enjoy a full holiday celebration, with a Christmas dinner, presents, Santa Claus, arts and crafts and lots of love.