File photo from 2012 Eldorado Great BBQ, Blues and Brews Fest. Photo by Eldorado Reno.

19th Annual Eldorado Great BBQ, Brews and Blues Festival kicks off with a beer dinner

This is a press release and includes no original reporting.

The unofficial kick off to summer, the Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews and Blues Festival is equal parts barbecue block party, microbrew tasting event and music festival with two stages featuring non-stop rock and blues throughout the weekend. John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band and Friends, including Alex Ligertwood of Santana and Wally Palmer of The Romantics is set to headline the festival in Downtown Reno June 20 and 21.

New this year, a Samuel Adams beer and food pairing event will kick-off the 19th Annual Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews & Blues Festival. The Samuel Adams beer and food pairing will feature six stations with delectable food items matched with Samuel Adams ciders, ales and stouts.

Samuel Adams beer pairing dinner

When: Thursday, June 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Where:  BuBinga Lounge inside the Eldorado Resort Casino
What: Samuel Adams beer food pairing
Price: $55 per person.  Call 888-808-7720 to make reservations for the beer pairing.

Angry Orchard Hard Cider paired with an oyster on the half shell with green apple and Angry Orchard Cider mignonette

White Lantern Ale accompanies mussels steamed in the ale with leeks, cilantro, orange zest and butter.

Rebel IPA is paired with spicy Thai coconut curry, red curry paste, lemongrass, ginger, “snake” beans, sweet potatoes tomatoes and mint

Boston Lager and Iceman Cider are served alongside an Iceman Cider brined pork tenderloin with apricot-cider BBQ sauce.

Coffee-dusted lamb chops are set to be washed down with the 13th Hour Stout and

A cherry frangipane tart is accompanied by the Cherry Wheat Ale.

The legendary “East Coast Rock ‘n’ Roll” group John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band began their career in 1972 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the “Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack.” The hit single “On the Dark Side” held the number one position on the Billboard Rock charts and the MTV video charts for five consecutive weeks. The album sold over three million copies and was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.

Joining the line-up is Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, who won the coveted 2008 and 2010 Blues Music Awards for Entertainer of the Year and is arguably one of the brightest stars on the international blues scene. A gifted guitarist and a deeply-soulful vocalist, Castro combines a rock and roll delivery with a touch of soul.

The U.S. Air Force Band, Mobility, is an upbeat group of talented musicians playing rock, jazz and blues favorites, new and old. A subdivision of the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Mobility, travels the West Coast bringing civilians and military personnel entertainment and American pride through music.

Additionally attendees can see American roots music artist, Shane Dwight; critically acclaimed rock and blues guitar groover, Eric Sardinas; soulful South Bay guitarist and vocalist Maxx Cabello Jr.; high-energy harmonica and horns blues band Delta Wires; plus festival favorites the Jason King Band, Carolyn Dolan Blues Band, Rick Hammond Blues Band and Buddy Emmer Blues Band.

19th Annual Eldorado Great BBQ, Brews and Blues events

When: Friday, June 20 from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 21 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Downtown Reno
What:  Live entertainment, food and more than 40 microbrews from around the world
Price: The $30 daily or $50 weekend tasting package includes an eight ounce souvenir cup and unlimited tastings during the festival tasting times. VIP tasting packages are also available.
Visit www.eldoradoreno.com for more information or call 888-808-7720 to book your stay, buy tickets for the festival or make reservations for the beer pairing.

Third Street Stage

Friday, June 20
4 p.m. – U.S. Air Force Band, Mobility
6 p.m. – Shane Dwight Band

Saturday, June 21
11:30 a.m. – Rick Hammond Blues Band
1:30 p.m. – Carolyn Dolan Blues Band
3:30 p.m. – Delta Wires
5:30 p.m. – Eric Sardinas

Fourth Street Stage

Friday, June 21
3 p.m. – Jason King Band
5 p.m. – Buddy Emmer Band
7 p.m. – Tommy Castro & The Painkillers

Saturday, June 21
11 a.m. – Buddy Emmer Blues Band
1 p.m. – Maxx Cabello Jr.
3 p.m. – U.S. Air Force Band, Mobility
5 p.m. – John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band and Friends
Alex Ligertwood, lead singer of Santana
Wally Palmer, lead singer of The Romantics
7 p.m. – Shane Dwight Band

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Mike Higdon

Editor & Publisher at Drinkable Reno

Mike Higdon is a journalist passionate about beer and cocktails. He started the site because no one else covered Reno's growing craft scene at the level of detail required to stay in the know about all things drinkable in Reno.

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