By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY – Staff Writer

 The Crestline Chamber of Commerce has announced that this year’s Corks and Hops season is beginning on the first Saturday of the month of June with wine and craft beer tasting in Crestline, featuring many of the traditional experiences of previous years, and this summer in some new tasting locations. This Saturday, you will enjoy live music, local shops, popup vendors, artisan booths and good food, while experiencing unique wine and beer tastings from the best of southern California craft breweries and wineries.

A happy couple enjoying wine from Sycamore Ranch Vineyard and Winery at last year’s Corks and Hops. (Photo by Douglas W. Motley)

This year, there are ten pour stations in town, and the event lasts from 3 to 8 p.m., giving everyone plenty of time to taste, shop and eat dinner, too. After the June 3 event, the next Corks and Hops will be July 8, followed by August 5, September 2 and ending with October 7. It is hoped that after last year’s successful Mardi Gras Corks and Hops last February that another one will be held again next year.

Mountain Transit is again providing shuttle service between the pour stations throughout Crestline, from Top Town through Lake Gregory Village. The shuttle should arrive in 15-minute intervals and swiftly transport guests to the next venue. Hear all the bands and have dinner while in town, whether from a restaurant or food truck, and enjoy the quaint community that is Crestline, with its artisans, music and fascinating people.

For those who pre-order tickets online at corksnhops.com, they will receive a full $10 discount off the $50 price, so it is a great idea to preorder tickets online and receive a 20 per cent discount and only pay $40 a ticket. When looking at the website, you will also see there is an “Ale you can get” special, which entitles the taster to an additional two full pours, for only $55. Tickets may be purchased the day of the event, in person, at the check-in stations for $50 or $65 for “Ale you can get.”

When arriving in either the Top Town check-in station in front of Hearth and Sage General Store at 23443 Crest Forest Drive, or the one at the Arrowhead Credit Union parking lot at 23971 Lake Drive in Lake Gregory Village, they will give you a wrist band, a souvenir glass and a map of where each pour station stamps so you can remember all the places you’ve been and the shuttle stops listed. Some guests are seen taking notes to decide on future purchases. At each pour station, the host can describe all the elements of each brew and all about the brewery or winery. It can become quite a social interaction learning all about each beverage. In past years, many patrons then went to the store and purchased these products for their home enjoyment.

Parking is available on the streets of town, at the parking lot at California Bank and Trust or at Lake Gregory for $2 the first hour and $1 for every hour afterwards. There is also parking at the park-and-ride lot between Rim Bowling and Sleepy Hollow Motel on Lake Drive, very near the credit union check-in location.

This year’s premiere sponsor is Debbie Baker of Sotheby’s International Realty. For more information, contact the Crestline Chamber of Commerce at [email protected] or call their office at (909) 338-2706. See their website at www.crestlinechamber.org and www.corksnhops.com.