Foam and soundwaves: Brew Lagoon shines
Brew Lagoon attendees Megan Granich, Lou Stewart, Emily Bates and Crystal St. Jacques. Photo
As the sun set over the second annual Brew Lagoon craft beer and music festival, organizers Dave Tardiff and Mike Bouchard took center stage to thank breweries, restaurants, attendees and everyone else who made the five-hour celebration of craft beer possible.
The two then stepped aside as they let their friends, local bartender Joey Stiletto and girlfriend Cassie Fleck, pull the names of the day’s raffle winners from a bucket.
Only there was no raffle.
Gasps, then cheers, erupted from the crowd as Stiletto ditched the raffle facade, pulled out an engagement ring and offered an on-stage marriage proposal to Fleck. She said yes.
Behind the stage, Stiletto and Fleck were all smiles. Stiletto’s hand was shaking from nerves, while Fleck was in shock. Was she expecting it?
“Not like this,” she said, still stunned.
The surprise engagement was the capstone to an hugely popular event. Twenty-three breweries poured beers, local restaurants Hopsaint and Hudson House served food, and five bands provided entertainment throughout the daylong festival. But if Bouchard had his way, Brew Lagoon would go longer than just one day.
“I would love to go to two sessions, or two days,” Bouchard said. “My thing is, there are so many good bands that I’d love to jam on this stage.”
The event was twice as big as last year. Redondo officials allowed up to 1,000 tickets to be sold this year.
“This is fantastic! It’s the best time ever,” gushed Redondo Beach Councilwoman Laura Emdee, who made the trek from her North Redondo stomping grounds with her husband. “I hope they get to ramp up and bring more craft breweries next year. This has the potential to be the biggest event in the South Bay.”
Johnny Dice, of nearby and newly-opened Hermosa Brewing Company, couldn’t have been happier with the festival.
“It feels great – we’re all about bringing craft beer to the beach and we want people to experience what craft beer life is all about,” Dice said. “It’s a mix of brothers and sisters in the industry, and we’re all here for each other. I’ve asked a million people for help today, and they’ve helped me no questions asked.”
Bouchard was stoked by the day’s proceedings. While he’s got an itch for the faster paced days of his shuttered Gasser Lounge bar, he’s comfortable with Brew Lagoon’s path.
“It’s on the right track, and for me, I’d love to see things grow at a faster pace, but this is good and natural,” Bouchard said. “It’s all about good local bands and good local breweries, and growing it all the old-school way.”