Southgate Brewing Releasing 1864 Ale To Commemorate Signing of Yosemite Grant

The Southgate Brewing Company in Oakhurst, located just minutes south of Yosemite National Park, is holding a release party to help show off a new beer that helps mark the 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Yosemite Grant.

The 1864 Ale, produced by brewmaster Rick Bouke, is an Oktoberfest style beer that will be available throughout the fall. Bouke said he used the past as an influence while creating this new brew.

“I am excited to brew this beer for such a special occasion as the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln signing the Yosemite Grant. I tried to make a beer with techniques that would be similar to the beer being brewed 150 years ago,” he said.

The beer is described as being amber in color, with a smooth toasted toffee and caramel flavor.

“Rich, toasted malts toasted in the our wood-fired oven and fresh, local hops sourced from a secret location near Yosemite Valley, make this beer a balanced and refreshing seasonal beer perfect for a Fall in the Sierra,” said Casey Hawkins, owner of South Gate Brewing Company.

A release party is being held on Saturday, Oct. 5 starting at 3 p.m. to debut the new beer and help mark the milestone of President Lincoln signing the Yosemite Grant that set aside Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove for preservation.

Festivities will include an Art Exhibit by local artist Courtney Lynn who has designed the 1864 Ale label of President Lincoln as well as the other South Gate Brewing labels; live music, Oktoberfest-style dinner specials by Chef Dawn Pliche, 1864 logo t-shirts & steins giveaways, plus a grand prize drawing for a two night stay in a cabin at The Redwoods in Yosemite. Also, attendees are advised to be on the lookout for President Lincoln himself, to make a special appearance.

“It’s a great honor to be involved in the celebration of our ecological history,” said Hawkins.

“Brewing a beer with locally sourced hops and toasting grains here on site will give this beer a uniqueness that speaks to our local community. We hope everybody enjoys the craftsmanship and thought that Rick is putting into the 1864 Ale,” he said.

Numerous events will be held in Madera County and each of Yosemite’s four gateways to honor President Lincoln’s preservation of Yosemite in an action that paved the way for the creation of the National Park System. To learn more about the anniversaries, go to http://www.nps.gov/yose/anniversary. To learn more about South Gate Brewing Company, go to http://www.yosemitethisyear.com/blog/2013/09/south-gate-brewing-company-releases-commemorative-beer/.
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