Tapped In & Beefing Up
Red Bluff Beef N Brew Returns to Downtown…
It only took one year for Red Bluff’s Beef N Brew to become one of the community’s most beloved events. “Irene Fuller and I started it 16,17 years ago,” says Cathy Bjornestad Tobin, a Tehama County Cattlewoman and chair of the event. “At that time, she had a business in downtown Red Bluff and was also a Cattlewoman.”
The two women, passionate about both cattle and their community, dreamt up the idea of showcasing beef dishes with their natural complement — craft beer — in downtown businesses. “At one point there were more cattle in Tehama County than there were people,” she adds. “And it may still be that way during spring feed.”
People loved celebrating their ranching heritage. “There were 700 in attendance. People were very excited that it was a community thing. Then it became a thing where we got people from out of state,” says Bjornestad Tobin.
An attendance of 700 swelled to 2,000 and the event grew beyond their wildest dreams. “We asked for 500 ‘tastes’ of beef but they fixed meals,” she says of the cooks who presented beef dishes in the early years. “They couldn’t help themselves.”
After taking a hiatus in 2025, the Beef N Brew is staging a comeback this September that promises to treat a crowd to some of the community’s favorite combinations — beef, beer, music and downtown businesses. “Once again, it’s going to be huge,” says Bjornestad Tobin.
Ticket holders are invited to cruise downtown businesses to taste upwards of 30 beef appetizers and the same or more craft beers. In areas where a business may be shuttered or inconducive to the event, businesses from elsewhere in the community will hold pop-ups outside.
“Judges taste every single appetizer and rank on things like creativity, presentation and taste,” she adds. “We try not to have too many hamburger dishes, but we do have one. Bob’s Tires serves incredibly good meatballs.” Other mouthwatering offerings have been carne asada tacos, barbecue skewers, potato skins with pulled beef, and beef sliders. “You never know what they are going to come up with,” Bjornestad Tobin says of the chefs.
Reigning champion Shane Emde of S&S Smashburgers is returning to defend his titles of not only the judges’ award, but also People’s Choice. “We’re looking forward to winning another year,” he says, noting that his secret is adding extra love to his burgers. “There’s a lot of smashburgers out there but the way we do them is just a little different and people love them.” He brags of crispy edges and melty cheese that come from high heat and a quick grill time. “You just have to put a lot of love into them,” he adds.
Emde and his team will be set up outside of Enjoy Local on Main Street, where co-owner Kate Grissom says Beef N Brew is a boon for business. “The biggest impact of Beef N Brew isn’t just what businesses sell that night,” she says. “It’s the people it introduces to downtown. We’ve been here almost 15 years, and every year we still hear, ‘I didn’t know this place was here.’ That’s a win for us all.”
After a period of cruising shops for tastings, revelers move to the Cone Kimball Plaza where they can pick up their signature tri-tip wraps (many are so stuffed from tastings they take them to go) and enjoy live music from Band of Brothers, as well as a beer garden.
Beyond showcasing the range of beef recipes and Red Bluff businesses, Beef N Brew brings in money for the Tehama County Cattlewomen that supports beef promotion and a substantial youth scholarship program. “We’re promoting camaraderie, community and youth in agriculture,” says Bjornestad Tobin. “People get to see their friends. Class reunions are arranged and everyone seems to have a good time.”
That’s something to raise a glass to. •
Red Bluff Beef N Brew
September 12, 2026, 5-10pm
Downtown Red Bluff
www.redbluffbeefnbrew.com
