Napa Party Pictures: Were You There?

For last Thursday's local celebration of international #ipaDay, “Beer Wench” gathered eight Bay Area craft brewers specializing in the powerful brew known as India Pale Ale.

They set up their taps and deployed their church keys on a pleasant patio at , pouring tastes – and more – for a mostly-young crowd of Napans eager to sample something other than wine for a change.

Best part? The brewmeisters donated their time and their beverages, so every bit of the $10 door charge goes to one of Napa Patch’s favorite local organizations, – specifically for a new initiative aimed at serving Napa’s largely-overlooked lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual youth.

So let's raise a glass in thanks to , Moylan's, Marin Brewing Co., Bison Organic, Howard Street, Lagunitas, Black Diamond, Ale Industries and Thirsty Bear, as well as Pretzel Crisps and SanTasti sparkling water, for their generosity.

Coolest news tip from the party? The amazing Ceja family is preparing to expand beyond their winemaking, and enterprises. Company president Amelia Ceja said she hopes to be producing beer and ale – including an IPA – in time for Oktoberfest.

Best tweak? A widescreen monitor showing #ipaDay tweets from Twitter users all over the map. Amelia snapped a photo of yours truly and uploaded it:

With @NapaCAPatch @TheBeerWench #IPADay! My family to launch #Carneros Brewing Company soon! #Wine + #Beer in same... http://4sq.com/nRVyWL

In return, I captured the man-bites-dog image of Amelia holding a glass of ale instead of wine.

Great party. Next time Routson throws a bash, I want to be there.

On Friday at the in Yountville, the artists’ reception for the new show “” was so well-attended that it was hard to stand back and get a good look at the art – all the more reason for a return trip to this thought-provoking show.

It seemed half the Napa Valley was there, from gorgeously dressed ladies to a certain underdressed Patch editor (note to self: bike shorts + T-shirt  + blazer good for some events, not artists’ receptions).

Napa photographers (and Patch contributors) and , cameras in hand, roamed the bustling galleries.

Artists – including show curator Nancy Willis, Ann Trinca and Lewis DeSoto, whose "Imperial America" may be the most iconic piece on display – mingled with art-lovers who turned out to view works in many media in this exhibition inspired by the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Among those present: actor and Upvalley resident Robert Redford, apparently deep in thought as he contemplated the artworks.

With live music, complimentary wine (donations, please) and a nice fruit-cheese-and-cracker spread – not to mention celebrity-spotting – the museum party was a bargain at $5 and free to members.

(Note to self: Join Napa Valley Museum.)