The 12th annual Rancho BEERnardo Festival is returning on Saturday, Oct. 12 to Rancho Bernardo’s Webb Park.
The festival will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., with VIP ticket holders allowed to enter at 1 p.m. All will be able to sample beers from about 30 top-rated breweries in addition to wines, hard cider, seltzer and kombuchas from local wineries and distilleries.
Food will also be available for purchase from Duffs Doggz, Tony’s Pepperoni Pizzeria and Mama V’s Lumpia.
The festival is the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club’s main fundraiser for charitable projects and organizations the club sponsors.
“I think people like to attend because it is a casual environment, held on grass and not a parking lot or on concrete,” said festival chair Kim Varey. “It is a shaded environment with music and people really like the food. It is a nice way to spend an afternoon with money going towards good causes.”
New this year will be an area that features several of the recipients of festival proceeds, so attendees can hear more about how the money they spend is helping those of all ages around the world, Varey said. The booths will be for informational purposes, not fundraising. Some of those likely to attend are Anvil of Hope, Feeding San Diego, Solutions for Change, Rise Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center, MAAC Project and SOLE Effects.
The more than $130,000 raised through sponsorships and donors at last year’s festival was given to more than two dozen local and international causes that serve all ages, from children through seniors, Varey said.
“We’d love to exceed that, but we are behind this year,” Varey said, noting the club is feeling the same fundraising impact that she has heard is being felt by charitable organizations nationwide this year.
“For example, the two hurricanes, people want to help with relief efforts so things like that are pulling people’s attention,” Varey said, noting the club plans to contribute money to Rotary International’s hurricane assistance programs.
All the money raised will go toward philanthropic grants during the club’s 2025-26 year.
Festival sponsorships are still available, with various perks such as VIP tickets, event T-shirts and company recognition at the event and in post-festival publicity. For details, email [email protected].
Those listed on the festival’s website as 2024-25 recipients include Anvil of Hope, which helps struggling families and at-risk youths by keeping the kids engaged and motivated in school in order to break the cycle of poverty. Canine Companions trains service dogs to help those with disabilities. Thousand Smiles Foundation gives free maxillofacial surgery and dental treatments to children in Mexico. Free Wheelchair Mission provides wheelchairs to the disabled and mobility impaired in third world countries. SOLE Effects is a program that aims to grow confident and courageous leaders. SOLE stands for Step Out Lead Everyday.
The festival’s honorary chairs are Karen and Kevin Ogden, who founded SOLE Effects. They will participate in a Tasting Trail ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. right before the festival’s VIP event begins.
The club chose the Ogdens because of “their outstanding dedication to community youth” and being educators “ionate about instilling leadership skills,” according to festival organizers.
“Our entire SOLE Effects team extend gratitude to the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club for their steadfast financial ,” said Karen Ogden, noting their eight-year partnership with the Rotarians that has helped the nonprofit evolve into a nationally recognized program.
“We are profoundly grateful to RB Sunrise Rotary for their incredible commitment and dedication,” Ogden said. “Their belief in our mission and continuous has been instrumental in our growth and success. Together, we are making a significant and lasting difference in the lives of our youth.”
Festival tickets if purchased with cash at the event are $65 for general ission (includes unlimited 2-ounce pours of alcoholic beverages, a commemorative tasting glass, ission and free parking), $10 for designated driver ission, $10 for a food ticket (a single meal at one of the food vendors) and $90 for VIP ission (VIPs are allowed to enter at 1 p.m., get preferred parking, separate reserved seats, a food ticket and tasting lanyard with a special koozie to hold the tasting glass).
If purchased in advance online at ranchobeernardofestival.com or with a credit card at the event the tickets, including service fees, are $71.21 for general ission, $97.88 for a VIP , $12.51 for designated driver ission and $12.51 for a food ticket.
Varey said those interested in a VIP ticket might want to buy online since they are limited and might be sold out by the festival.
As of Oct. 9, the participating beer vendors are Abnormal Beer Co., AleSmith Brewing Company, Backyard Brewery, Barley and Sword Brewing Company, Border X Brewing, Black Plague Brewing, Burgeon Beer Company, California Wild Ales, Cervesa XTECA, Chula Vista Brewery, Gravity Heights, Insurgente (Tijuana), Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Kove Brewing, Lake Arrowhead Brewing Company, Loba Cerveza (Guadalajara), Mason Ale Works, Maui Brewing, Mujeres Brew House, New Modern Times, Nickel Beer Co., North Park Beer Co., Taproom Beer Co. and Wendlandt.
Wine will be provided by Bastian’s Vineyards, Barrel Riot and Koi Zen Cellars.
Spirits and other beverages will be available from Boochcraft, CaliFino Tequila, Castellum Ciders, Dr. Broochart’s Hard Kombucha, Golden Coast Mead, Kove, Mate Marker Hard Kombucha, Son Vodka, Turquoise Barn Cider and Vodker.
Organizers said more vendors will be added up to festival day.
Entertainment will include music by two bands. Par Avion will open the festival by playing a mix of rock, Latin and surf vibes. Setting Sons, a Southern California premier cover band, will play all-decades favorite hits, according to their online descriptions.
Varey said there will also be games such as cornhole and giant Jenga.
This is a 21 and older event; no children or pets allowed.
Webb Park is at 11666 Avena Place in Rancho Bernardo. For festival details, visit ranchobeernardofestival.com.
