The rain didn’t slow the fun-filled afternoon downtown

ATASCADERO — The sixth annual Central Coast Craft Beer Fest (CCCBF) took over the Sunken Gardens on Saturday, March 23, from 12 to 4 p.m. Even though rain was in the forcast and made an appearance on the day, over 2,300 guests braved the spratic rainfall for a chance to taste the best adult beverages on the Central Coast.

“We did get some in-climate weather. We got some rain,” said the CCCBF’s emcee and Traffic Records owner, Manuel Barba. “Right when the gates opened at noon, the sky opened up, and I thought it was going to be a deterrent to people coming out and enjoying the festivities. However, from my understanding, it was a stronger turnout, significantly stronger turnout this year than last year, and the rain played zero factor in having people come out. It was packed.” 

Traffic Records was primary sponsor and DJ’d for two of the four hours of the event. With Barba and DJ Chad Fortin (Speakeasy Chad) at the turntables. Silk Ocean and Carbon City Lights also played live sets.

“It’s really fun to be able to partner up with local businesses. So on our end it’s really an important part to what the Central Coast Brewers Guild wants to do, which is have the community behind the event and supporting and want to be a part of what they do,” said En Fuego Events owner and Event Director Andres Nuno.

On top of working with Traffic Records, they also worked with Culligan, who supplies all the free water at the event, and Ancient Owl Beer Garden, who poured beer that breweries couldn’t be there to supply themselves, as well as many other great local companies.

This time around there was a total of 57 breweries, cideries, and wineries participating at the fest. They even added mead into the mix this year.

“We want to make sure that somebody that doesn’t enjoy craft beer that there’s other options for them to enjoy too from independantly owned brands that make ciders and meades or wine,” Nuno added. “It’s great having them on site. They’re a great addition to the event.”

“I had a great experience. One of my favorite breweries there was Third Window [Brewing Co.]. Their beer was very tasty,” stated resident Anthony Atkins.

The CCCBF also had more merchants and food vendors this year than in years past, including a couple of local nonprofits. Every year, the Central Coast Brewer’s Guild waves the fees for any nonprofits who want to participate.

“We were so excited on the turnout and how it went,” Nuno said. “It’s been incredible that this event just continues to grow in popularity and more independantly owned breweries and wineries want to join us, and more vendors want to be on site to sell their items. It was a really awesome day.”

Next year, the CCCBF will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025. To find out more about the fest go to, centralcoastbrewersguild.com/beerfest.

Featured image: Residents came out to enjoy a little rain and a lot of adult beverages at the sixth annual Central Coast Craft Beer Fest. Photo by Rick Evans.