Benicia Main Street has developed a following for its wine walks. Now it has set its sights on another beverage celebration.

This Saturday, the last weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, the downtown organization has scheduled a beer crawl.

“This is the very first one,” executive director Nancy Martinez said.

It started as an unhappy accident — Benicia Main Street didn’t book the Clock Tower in time for its annual chili cook-off. That building has to be reserved 13 months in advance, and by the time Main Street staff realized they hadn’t been put on its schedule, no spring open dates were available.

At the same time, Martinez knew that beer crawls are becoming more prevalent. In addition, local business owners had mentioned them to her, asking if the organization could organize one in addition to the wine walks.

Martinez said one Halloween-time “zombie beer crawl” is in the works. But she decided to launch the city’s first beer sampling this month.

“What a perfect time for a beer crawl — St. Patrick’s Day!” she said.

Event coordinator Deborah Housman agreed that the beverage “brings Irish cheer to downtown Benicia.”
Housman said a variety of craft beers, obtained through DBI, the Napa-Solano beer distributor Benicia Main Street used for its Waterfront Festival, will be poured inside participating downtown shops.

Those attending will meet at Benicia Main Street’s office, 90 First St., starting at 1:30 p.m. Saturday to pick up a map, a wristband, a list of participants and a sampler glass they can take home, Housman said.

That’s also where they can get their first taste. Benicia Main Street will be pouring Rubicon Monkey Knife Fight.

Avord’s Treasure Chest, 129 First St., will serve Pyramid Hefeweizen, and Tina Marie’s 131-C First St., will have Crispin Original Cider.

Pups N Purrs, 422 First St., will pour Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA, and What’s On First Antiques, 433 First St., will serve Leinenkugel Big Butt Doppelbock.

Angel Heart 4 You, 501 First St., will serve Samuel Adams Rebel IPA, and Roberto’s Fine Jewelry, 560 first St., will have Peroni Lager.

Lindsay Art Glass, 109 East F St., is pouring Pyramid Apricot Ale, and Milinda Perry Salon and Consignment, 117 East F St., will serve Avery Brewing White Rascal.

Urban Notions, 611 First St., will offer Mendocino Brewing Eye of the Hawk, and Romancing the Home, 617 First St., will pour Napa Smith Brewing Pale Ale.

Fans of Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider will find that beverage at The Steffen Collection, 627 First St., and Charlie’s Attic, 632 First St., will serve New Belgium Fat Tire.

Bookshop Benicia, 636 First St., is pouring Deschutes Red Chair Pale Ale; Studio 41, 700 First St., will serve Napa Smith Brewing Amber Ale; and Artcentric, 733 First St., will have Guinness Blonde American Lager.

Participants who list their top three favorite beers and turn in a complete form to any of the sampling locations will be entered in a contest to win $50 in Downtown Dollars.

Martinez said she had hoped the event also would have live Irish music, “but it’s their busy time of year,” she said of bands who play in that genre.

Instead, beer crawlers will hear some of the best of Celtic music played on compact disc inside participating stores, she said.

Tickets are $25 advance for a single ticket. Day of the event price increases to $35. Only 300 tickets will be sold. Participants must be at least 21.

Tickets are available at Benicia Main Street, 90 First St., and online at beniciamainstreet.org.
Check-in starts at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Benicia Main Street, 90 First St. Those interested may call Benicia Main Street at 707-745-9791 or email the office at info@beniciamainstreet.org.