A 'Sake & Beer' Festival Is Coming To Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — As if April isn't chock-full enough of festivals in SoCal, here's another to add to the list. A Sake & Beer festival is slated to make landfall in Temecula this year — and it's for a good cause.

Pechanga Resort Casino is hosting the event, which will take place on Sat., April 20, with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

"The festival’s idea sprang from the popularity of beer and sake within Southern California, as well as the continued rise of sushi as a mainstay of sought-after fare in America," organizers say.

Here's a description of the event, courtesy of Pechanga:

More than 40 premium sakes (daiginjo, ginjo, junmai and sparkling) including many award-winning brands and styles from all over Japan will be poured alongside Japanese beers.

Brews include premium beers, reserve, super dry (European style) and black beers from the island nation. Guests can learn about sakes’ flavors and production styles from experts – the brewers themselves and those close to the brewing process.

Pechanga chefs get rolled up in the festival as they prepare fresh sushi to pair with the sake and beer selections. Chefs Kiyo Ikeda, head chef of Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar, Kok Che, executive sous chef of Pechanga’s Asian restaurants, and Duane Owen, Pechanga Executive Chef, will be on hand to meet with guests, present them fresh, made-on-site sushi, and allow visitors to find out their expert suggestions for matching sushi with sake.A traditional Japanese Taiko drummer, a Japanese guitarist and a "Koto" - Japanese harpist - will set the mood of the festival’s musical interludes for the festival. A silent auction also features sought after gifts such as art, vacation packages and more.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 31 for the event and will run you $75 or $150 for VIP. You can purchase them at Pechanga.com, by calling (877) 711-2946 or by visiting the Pechanga Box Office.

— Image courtesy Pechanga Resort Casino