Family Dinner BBQ Bash at Bitter Brothers Brewing Co

Our friend Mercy of Baron's BBQ Beat helped organize a Family Dinner BBQ Bash with six talented BBQ pitmasters in San Diego. This event was hosted at Bitter Brothers Brewing Co. on Sunday July 29, 2018 between 5-8pm. The $75 tickets provided a 6-course meal with beer pairings as part of a fundraiser for Feeding San Diego (a leading hunger-relief charity & food bank serving San Diego County). It's above the costs of a typical dinner for me but hey, I'm supporting a friend and a charity all in one! Plus, who wouldn't mind some quality BARBECUE? The menu preview looked fantastic!

Welcome beer (Bitter Bill's Pils) at Bitter Brothers Brewing

After checking in at Bitter Brothers Brewing Co., the staff was already handing me a welcome beer named Bitter Bill's Pils. I'm not much of a beer drinker but this light refreshing pilsner was a pleasant sip to start the evening. I almost made it to the halfway point of this pint by the end of the night!

Behind the scenes

Bitter Brothers behind the scenes with Hanis Cavin's smoker

I got a sneak peek with my camera. Outside, past the huge brewing barrels, a vertical smoker was cooking something fresh and hot. This special device belonged to Chef Hanis Cavin, who is well known for...

Smoked pork belly from Hanis Cavin at Pioneer BBQ

PORK... He opened the popular Carnitas Snack Shack! Here was some mesmerizing pork belly bites that would be part of our meal later!

Hanis Cavin with The Pioneer BBQ served Corn Bread

In the prep area, I found this Corn Bread Skillet! Oh boy was everything looking fantastic! I got distracted with my meal so didn't see other behind-the-scenes food.

pour me an ice cold beer at Bitter Brothers Brewing Co

We can't forget about the hard working staff pouring us a cold one to enjoy with the food! The beer continued to flow throughout the evening.

Welcome to Bitter Brothers Brewing Co

Bitter Brothers Brewing Co. owners Bill Warnke and Monica Andresen gave us a heartwarming welcome speech. Family Dinner is part of an ongoing series at the brewery and all profits go to Feeding San Diego. The goal is to raise 20k in total and they are doing a fabulous job of it!

Attendees of Family Dinner BBQ Bash at Bitter Brothers Brewing Co

As you can see, it was a full house! Here's 60 seats of eager diners which included a farmer and meat supplier for this meal. Let's get to the eats!

Corbin O'Reilley with Corbin's Q

Corbin O'Reilly with Corbin's Q served Worcestershire Marinated Chicken Skewer

Worcestershire Marinated Chicken Skewer - bell pepper, honey cured bacon, sweet teriyaki pineapple glaze

Corbin wasn't able to make it in person but what a gorgeous looking appetizer to start the night! My favorite section was the crisped, savory bacon with the slightly sweet glaze. I first tried Corbin's Q while at Bacon and Barrels; his item "Yak Nuts" was similar to this except the chicken was wrapped with the bacon! You can find out more about this pitmaster and his business here: Corbin's Q.

Andy Harris with Grand Ole BBQ

Andy Harris with Grand Ole BBQ served Smoked Texas Turkey

Smoked Texas Turkey - Mashed Potatoes & Smoked Gravy

We're familiar with Grand Ole BBQ, whic was so addictive that we visited THREE TIMES within a month to devour most of the menu. This smoked turkey was as thick as ham and imparted such a wonderful flavor with the seasoned crust. Seriously the best I ever had, especially with the complimenting smoked gravy. The solid base of potatoes was amusingly described as "properly done mashed potato" by Chef Ami Cisneros (and we agree). She will be helping Andy run their new Flinn Springs location opening soon (website link).  The beer pairing was Golden Child, the #1 beer at Bitter Brothers. Head Brewer Tyler Tucker described it as traditional with banana and clove notes. My requested "smaller pour" was still half a pint but its fruitier taste was as enjoyable as the first beer.

Tim Eylens Sr. with Coaster Saloon

Tim Eylens Sr. with Coaster Saloon served Ancho Chili Rubbed Pork Shoulder

Tim Eylens Sr. with Coaster Saloon served Smoked Poblano Mac 'N Cheese

Ancho Chili Rubbed Pork Shoulder - smoked poblano mac 'n cheese, pickled Red Onions, Barbecue drizzle

I reviewed Coaster Saloon earlier this year and just like in the restaurant, the portions were plentiful! I nibbled, then thoughtfully saved the rest for Dennis. The shredded pork was meaty tender and perfect with the mellow barbecue sauce. The Mac and Cheese was creamy and heavy yet not oily after reheating. I admit the leftovers got eaten by ME as a work meal so hubby will have to get his own... By the way, they used my overhead pic for their Instagram preview on the website. That food shot looks tasty for sure! This course's pairing was Little Child and I finally got a taster glass! The beer had a slight hoppiness to it but was nothing I couldn't handle.

Hanis Cavin with The Pioneer BBQ

Hanis Cavin with The Pioneer BBQ served Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends - corn bread, caramelized honey, smoked jalapeno relish

Remember that meat pic earlier? Hanis Cavin brought some of his best for this little dinner. Indeed the meat was melt in your mouth good with the rendered fatty cap, plus the pork flavor was strong and and irresistible. The frisee salad was counterbalanced by cut up fruit and the pickled relish. The cornbread was a sultry party of corn bits and bread. Want more? Go visit The Pioneer BBQ for information! I hope to visit them myself soon! The pairing with this meal was an IPA named Dry Humor, super dry, very low sugar content but plenty of hoppiness. It's less calories for those who appreciate that route! I'm not much for IPAs and this was the most bitter of the beers served. For other guests, the contrast of the bitters worked really well with this sweet laced plate. 

Brad Cooper with Coops West Texas BBQ

Brad Cooper with Coops West Texas BBQ served Mesquite Smoked Brisket

Mesquite Smoked Brisket - red bean puree & rice

It's been a while since we visited Coops West Texas BBQ in Lemon Grove. Brad Cooper really does make some excellent brisket with such a lovely smoke ring to it. Surprisingly we were just as captivated by the red beans and rice. Brad changed it slightly with gumbo-like additions which made our mouths happy. Find out more at their official website. To drink along with the brisket was the Clouded Judgement beer. Tyler Tucker mentioned notes of prickly pear. I have no idea what that fruit tastes like so my thoughts were grapefruit-like without the sour.

Rick Daniels with Iron Pig Alehouse

Rick Daniels with Iron Pig Alehouse served Hickory Smoked Baby Back Ribs

Rick Daniels with Iron Pig Alehouse served collard greens

Hickory Smoked Baby Back Ribs - three cheesy grits, gran gran's collard greens

The SIXTH course. These pitmasters were giving our stomachs a workout! These ribs from Rick Daniels were meaty with a great chew and beautifully smoked. They were plated with some secret recipe collard greens (Brad Cooper also does this well) and some yummy cheesy grits. These reheated well as part of another office meal. The next beer was the Red Headed Step Child but I've forgotten the taste. I mostly remember the first four beers were golden toned followed by a pinker and redder one! I was hardly making a dent with the beer glasses at this point!

Rick Daniels with Iron Pig Alehouse served Key Lime Pie

Key Lime Pie - Grandma's recipe made by Rick Daniels of Iron Pig Alehouse

Then came dessert. If you weren't full from all the food and beer, I would be amazed! This special key lime tart really was a treat! Nothing's better than grandma's recipe (lucky Rick)! This slice had a strong lime flavor and such a great graham cracker crust. The eats are worth it at Iron Pig Alehouse so go check them out! And wouldn't you know, there was one last beer pairing with dessert! A new beer at the brewery (only the second batch) was Farmers Fantasty. Gosh, I wish I remembered more about the flavor but I think it will be on the menu soon!

Beers on tap at Bitter Brothers Brewing Co

By the way, for those of you beer lovers, here's their current tap offerings. I'm still a little new to the beer scene but it was nice to try a few new brews while at this event.

San Diego Barbecue All-Stars

Barons BBQ Beat, Bitter Brothers Brewing Co, and six San Diego BBQ Pitmasters

From left to right: Andy Harris, Tim Eylens Sr, Brad Cooper, Mercy Baron, Hanis Cavin, Steven Novoa (squatting), Bill Warnke, Rick Daniels, Tyler Tucker

Just a little snap of a few fine folks who made this night happen! Also a big thanks to the kitchen crew, brewery staff, suppliers, and other helpers at the Family Dinner BBQ Bash. 

Bitter Brothers Brewing Co off Moreno Blvd near Costco

After an evening of gloriousness, it was time to return home. You know you've eaten well when your S.O. says you smell like BBQ. A single smoker can do that to ya, huh? This was a sucessful event to support Feeding San Diego and there will be more! Make sure to keep an eye out for the next one at Bitter Brothers, which is located near the Costo off Morena Blvd. Happy eats to all.

Bitter Brothers Brewing Co
4170 Morena Blvd
San Diego CA 92117
(619) 961-6690

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Comments

Tracy Lynn's picture
Submitted by Tracy Lynn (not verified) on Fri, 08/03/2018 - 9:49pm

Oh my gosh! I'm not a pork fan but those pics you took made me drool!

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 9:54pm

lucky that there's beef and chicken here too! i enjoyed the variety.

Soo's picture
Submitted by Soo (not verified) on Sun, 08/05/2018 - 2:17pm

Awesome dinner! I gotta go out and eat more bbq.

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 9:54pm

i need to check out a few more bbq spots myself!

Katie's picture
Submitted by Katie (not verified) on Mon, 08/06/2018 - 7:08am

What an amazing opportunity! I bet it was as delicious as it sounds!

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 9:55pm

for sure! these bbq folks are masters at their craft!

Edel's picture
Submitted by Edel (not verified) on Mon, 08/06/2018 - 10:18am

The food looked delicious. I'm drooling over here. The best part is that it was for a good cause.

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 9:56pm

it's definitely a perk! goes toward other food projects which is perfect!

Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table's picture
Submitted by Laura @ Sprint ... (not verified) on Mon, 08/06/2018 - 5:48pm

I LOVE Bitter Brothers!!! Looks like an epic evening - they would have had to roll me out of there! Really cool to see a lady in the BBQ mix, too. :)

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 10:02pm

she's a certified bbq judge who helped pull these wonderful bbq chefs from san diego together for this event. i don't think we have a bbq lady in town quite yet!

Faye's picture
Submitted by Faye (not verified) on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 11:12am

I love the beer glasses ! The pork belly looks so savory and deliciously sweet. I can't ever seem to replicate that at home. Is Corbin Q still at the LJ Farmers market on Sundays?

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 10:23pm

we ended up making a great pork belly at our party. the next one to try should have a gorgeous glaze like the ones from chef hanis. i'm not too sure about corbin Q as i have never been to that farmer's market...

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