Beer Festival Benefits Camp Pendleton Marines

The first annual was hosted at Left Coast Brewing Company on Saturday with proceeds from the event going toward the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce’s welcome home family events for the Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 and the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment based at Camp Pendleton.

“It was a no-brainer,” said Left Coast Brewing Company General Manager Tommy Hadjis.  “We are just so close. ... It was a very easy choice to have the military to donate the money to.” 

Left Coast Brewing Company and 12 other breweries from Orange County and San Diego donated beer for the event, and visitors were able to sample a range of craft beers.  “The people here have no idea how many high-class breweries we have right here in San Clemente. ... It’s a chance to educate them,” said Hadjis. 

According to Hadjis, the donated beer also helped ensure as much money as possible was given back to the welcome home program fund. 

The welcome home programs, put on by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce, involve throwing a big party at Camp Pendleton for the hundreds of Marines returning home from tours of duty. From a whole roasted pig to inflatable rides and craft beer, organizers make sure the event is big and grand.

“The importance of it is that they always know we are thinking of them,” said San Clemente Chamber of Commerce CEO Lynn Wood. “They support us and we just want to be there for them,” she said. 

The efforts of welcome home events certainly do not go unnoticed for Marines such as Lance Cpl. Sean Stein of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment who recently returned home from Afghanistan and was in San Clemente visiting his brothers and sampling beers at the festival

“I think it’s phenomenal,” said Stein. “The amount of appreciation I have gotten since I have been home has been tenfold,” he said. “We don’t ask for a lot and it is appreciated.” 

The festival attracted over 500 people, according to Hadjis’ estimates—a welcome surprise for the Chamber of Commerce, which was expecting to only break even from the first-time festival. 

“It’s pretty clear that it has gone well above our expectations,” said Wood, who also added that the funds raised at the festival will certainly help put on another welcome home event this year.

Read more about festival sponsors, participants and beneficiaries in San Clemente Patch's .

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