Edible Sacramento Summer 2022

STELLAR CIDERS AND WINES In 2022, Ria, Johnson’s sparkling pinot noir rosé, won Double Gold in the SanFranciscoChronicle WineCompetition, andBest of Show and Gold at the International CannedWine Competition. “I like creating newproducts and growing the business,” he says. Johnson received his four-year degree in viticulture and enology from the University of California, Davis, and worked in the wine industry in Sonoma, Napa, and New Zealand before set tling in El Dorado County. He knows a thing or two about beer making, too, having studied under well-regarded brewing profes sor and brewing scientist Charlie Bamforth. For his wines, Johnson sources all grapes from higher eleva tions in El Dorado County. He uses lots of pinot noir from above 3,000 feet along with pinot grigio, zinfandel, and Chardonnay. Grapes are the most curated part of the business, and Johnson has built numerous relationships with local growers. The result is unpretentious and authentic. With Apple Hill nearby, Johnson has forged relationships with apple growers, too. In addition to apple, his ciders also blend tempting flavors such as blood orange, elderflower, and blackberry. “Wemake our cider like wine— light and dry,” he says. These canned varieties of sparkling wines and ciders are fa vorites among outdoorsy types. Refreshing and delicious, the packable product can be taken anywhere — from hiking, back packing and camping to biking and skiing. BOUNDLESS BEERS Sare holds a four-year degree in brewing and distilling science from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was brewing and developing recipes for big-name breweries like Young & Co’s Brewery and Anheuser-Busch’s Stag Brewery in London, and Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Ore., before bringing his passion for European styles and beer traditions to Califor nia’s Gold Country. Solid Ground’s tap list is a mix of what Sare is known for. It features Rampart, an American Helles-style lager; Šipka, a Czech-style pilsner; and Gneiss, a nitro dry Irish stout. “There is a reason those products represent the bulk of con sumed beer in this and nearly every beer-drinking country. There is a class and drinkability to them. That is the closest thing I have to a style,” Sare says. There’s something for everyone on the Solid Ground menu. Folks alsowill find such gems as Elafonissi, aWest Coast IPA, and Grange de Champ, a barrel-aged sour. What does Sare love most about brewing beer? “That’s easy,” he says. “I enjoy being part of a profession that allows us to create something from scratch that often acts as a social elixir, to lubri cate relationships and social gatherings. Secondly, everybody al ways loves the brewer.” Look for Solid Ground products at Raley’s BelAir, Nugget Markets, and Sacramento Food Co-op.

Photo courtesy of Solid Ground Brewery &Winery

SOLID GROUND UGLY NUGZ (courtesy of Sergio Raygoza, head chef, Solid Ground Brewery & Winery in Diamond Springs. Serves 1 to 2) Chicken breast from 1 whole chicken 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons baking powder 2 tablespoons salt 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 teaspoon paprika 1 tablespoon ground mustard 1 cup buttermilk Hot sauce Worcestershire sauce Oil for frying Red onion, jalapeño, garlic, green onion, or ginger (optional) Cut chicken into small cubes for easy frying. Combine buttermilk, a dash of your favorite hot sauce, and a dash of Worcestershire to make marinade, then marinate for at least 1 hour. Prepare breading mixture. Add all dry ingredients in a bowl and mix. When chicken is done marinating, drain chicken and add to flour mixture. Once evenly coated, spread chicken out on a sheet tray, leaving room between pieces. Warm oil to 325 degrees F. Once oil comes up to temperature, fry chicken until it reaches 160 degrees F. To add more flavor, toss in aromatics such as red onion, jalapeño, garlic, green onion, or ginger pieces while frying. Remove chicken from oil and season heavily with salt and pepper. Let cool before indulging. Serve with Buˆalo, teriyaki, or any favorite sauce and, of course, a Solid Ground Rampart American Helles Lager.

Solid Ground Brewery &Winery • Solidgroundbrewing.com

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