Crafty Pork
by Alberto Muro
It was in late October that the World Health Organization announced that processed meats such as bacon caused cancer. That announcement had little effect among those that admire bacon, and Bakersfield’s annual Bacon and Craft Beer Festival was that place to be for bacon lovers.
Hosted by Bakersfield’s own Lengthwise Brewing Company, the Bacon and Craft Beer festival was held at Stramler Park. Patrons tasted food from 20 different restaurants in Bakersfield and sampled drinks from 30 breweries throughout California.
Patrons also had access to life size games such as Jenga, Connect Four, sack tosses, and beer pong. There was a sand volleyball court set up, and it did not remain empty as teams were divided between men and women. There was strong competition.
To everyone’s surprise, the beer pong players were able to keep things in order as the activities commenced and not one single glass was broken. Music tunes from an early 2000s playlist echoed throughout the venue, and it kept everyone in a nostalgic peaceful mindset.
A message of responsibility.
The restaurants that served the patrons handed out their pork themed dishes, Don Perico’s handed out their bacon wrapped shrimp, Eureka! dished out their bacon sliders, and Lucille’s BBQ made their pulled pork sandwiches.
An out of the ordinary yet surprisingly delicious treat came in the form of ice cream. Local Bakersfield ice cream business La Rosa gave patrons a chance to try their bacon flavored ice cream.
The main attraction did not just focus on craft drinks and pork products. After waiting in an enormous line of pork enthusiasts, Lengthwise Brewery finally unleashed the roasted pig on attendees. Slathered in juices and giving off quite the aroma, the pig gained quite the media frenzy as people snapped photos.
One notable feature about Bakersfield’s Lengthwise Brewery hosting the event is that the proceeds will be going to charity. Similar to VillageFest in September, Lengthwise and other breweries made it possible for people to enjoy themselves in the name of charity.