We speak easy of Prohibition Ale

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Apr 4, 2007 | by William Brand

Calendar

After a weekend trying to pull out Bermuda grass rhizomes -- those constantly growing underground shoots -- the word, rhizome, had an unpleasant sound. That is until I talked to Vic Kralj at The Bistro in Hayward. He reminds us that the Bistro's sixth annual Hop Rhizome Beer Fest is Saturday, April 21. The hop bine, like Bermuda grass, grows from underground shoots or rhizomes and when conditions are right, hop plants can nearly equal Bermuda grass for virility.

They're bines, not vines, they don't send out tendrils like vines. They wrap themselves around anything handy and grow, well, like Bermuda grass.

The Bistro will be selling Centennial, Cascade and Chinook rhizomes for $3 each. But the real idea behind the fest will be beer. Kralj promises 20 uber-hoppy beers, many from San Diego County including Pizza Port's Wipeout IPA. No admission charge, just buy the beer. Live music. Fun starts at noon. See you there.

Staff writer William Brand publishes What's On Tap, a consumer craft beer and hard cider newsletter. He can be reached at (510) 915- 1180. Fax: (510) 841-6023. E-mail: whatsontap@sbcglobal.net.