Once again, Playas de Rosarito became the epicenter of one of summer's greatest events, filled with laughter, music, and craft beer!

Beer enthusiasts from both sides of the border gathered here at Hotel Las Rocas Resort & Spa for the 5th edition of the Rosarito Beer Fest. SanDiegoRed attended as a special guest to this unparalleled experience.

Tastings by the beach: a unique experience

The festival began at 2 PM, welcoming hundreds of craft beer fans to enjoy offerings from over 20 breweries, showcasing their finest drinks.

The assortment of beer styles was impressive. It ranged from clear and refreshing to dark and heavy, and featured innovative flavor options such as strawberry, mint, and coffee.

One attendee remarked, “It is amazing to see the diversity of styles and flavors that Baja Californian beers offer” while exploring the La Termo stand, a craft brewery located in Playas de Rosarito.

The breweries offered a completely personalized experience! Representatives from these brands served beer, answered questions, and enthusiastically explained the ingredients and processes that make each drink unique.

On average, each brewery brought five different styles, ensuring options for all tastes and preferences. Whether you preferred a light beer or intense flavors, there was a style tailored to you!

Some of Rosarito's most distinguished breweries attended this celebration. They included Casquera Home Brew, known for beers that defy traditional limits; La Termo Cervecería, which impresses with its creative flavors; and Delliott's Cervecería blending tradition and modernity in their beers.

The Colectivo Surf Tasting Room at K41 and Los Reyes Tap Room were also present. They showcased exceptional skill in crafting beers with unparalleled flavors, underscoring Playas de Rosarito's role as a hub for craft beer production and innovation, offering new and exciting experiences.

Ensenada also stood out at the Rosarito Beer Fest with breweries representing the exceptional quality of this region. These breweries are Cervecería Agua Mala, Barbaján Cerveza, Cervecería Casa SB, Canneria Cerveza, and Club de Cerveceros Caseros de Ensenada.

Breweries from Mexicali, Tijuana, Mulegé, Tecate, and Toluca, such as Border Psycho Brewery, Tijuana Homebrew Club, Cervecería Chinesca, Cerveza Starman, Baja Brewing Company, and Cervecería Manos de Calaca, also showcased their best beers at the Rosarito Beer Fest.

Guided tastings by experts: Mujeres Catadoras y Cerveceras de México

One of the most significant moments of this celebration was the 8 tastings led by the experienced experts of Catadoras y Cerveceras de México, who guided dozens of fans through a diverse selection of beer styles.

These tastings helped attendants experience something unique by mixing beer with selected pairings, mainly cheese, that led them to reach an even greater level of tasting.

Participating breweries were: Manos de Calaca, Baja Brewing, Club de Cerveceros Caseros de Ensenada, Los Reyes, Tijuana Homebrew Club, Desserto Tasting Room, Canneria Cerveza Artesanal, and Border Psycho.

Tastings took place every half hour and were divided into three phases. First, they explained how to smell beer by briefly inhaling continuously and shaking the glass in a circular manner to open all possible smells; second, they recommended attendants to watch the color of the beer and its froth; and thirdly, they tried their drinks, and were invited to do it slowly, letting the beer reach the palate and tongue so that they could detect all the different flavors.

We had the chance to speak with Kathy Pedrín, co-founder of Catadoras y Cerveceras de México, who told us about her project comprised of very talented women.

"We focus on educating and sharing our passion for craft beer. It is a chance that allows people to learn, ask questions, and have a nice moment," explained Pedrín who also said that this project, founded by women in 2012 in Ensenada, has been growing and currently has 40 coordinators in Mexico.

Several different activities such as tastings, pairings, and beer yoga are part of their activities. In addition, they also have study circles and an educational financing program that supports women so they can become professionals in the industry.

Entertainment for all ages! Two stages with live music

There were two stages with music throughout the entire event with several different amazing performances!

At the Infinity Pool stage, rock, Latin music, reggae, and ska bands, such as ZaraGilbert, Nopal Ché, Steady Moods, and Doping Positivo performed, as attendants danced and sang along.

Meanwhile, at the Garden stage DJs such as North Division, Soleho, and Santino livened up the mood with their electronic music mixes.

Immersive experience: Pools, hot tubs, and spectacular sunsets

Friends, couples, and entire families experienced an unforgettable event in the 5th edition of the Rosarito Beer Fest, which won the hearts of all beer lovers.

Besides beer and music, attendants enjoyed the hotel's relaxed ambiance as they had access to pools and hot tubs that were specially set up for this event. This allowed for a better experience as it allowed them to enjoy the summer weather and the amazing sunsets at Hotel Las Rocas Spa & Resort.

A reflection of a growing industry: Rosarito as a beer destination

Luis Enrique Reyes, organizer of the Rosarito Beer Fest and president of the Association of Craft Breweries in Playas de Rosarito, reflected on the growth of this event and Baja California's beer industry.

"This event not only promotes our beers, but also strengthens our identity as a tourism destination," he said.

The festival has consolidated itself as an unmissable celebration for fans of good beer, with a resounding success that attendants enjoyed because it is like no other event in the city.

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Met expectations and future projections

With such a positive response from visitors, Rosarito Beer Fest has become one of the region's most significant and unmissable events. "We are excited about the future, we want to do more editions and we want to continue growing together with the beer community," Reyes explained.

This event's organizers highlighted the attendance by the North American community, mainly from southern California, who came to this celebration to enjoy the best beer and the best gastronomy!

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The Rosarito Beer Fest is a celebration of craft beer and the culture, music, and unique environment of Playas de Rosarito. In this 5th edition, the festival showed once more why it is considered one of Baja California's most emblematic celebrations.

For people who couldn't come and experience this event for themselves, here is a recommendation: explore Playa de Rosarito's craft beer route and enjoy everything this destination has for you.

To learn more information about upcoming events and activities, check out COTUCO Rosarito's official website and their social media pages:
Website: https://www.rosarito.org/
Facebook: /rosaritobajanorte
Instagram: @rosarito_baja

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