Island Brewing Company has released the Avo IPA, the latest in its Variance Series of IPAs. Last year was the first time in the brewery’s 13-year history that the Avocado Honey Ale was produced year-round instead of only as a seasonal beer offered in the fall. This year, the brewing team decided to design a beer that would not only complement Carpinteria's biggest event of the year, the Avocado Festival (held Oct 3-5), but also bring a new approach to brewing an IPA.
“We added 60 lbs of locally sourced avocado honey from Carpinterian avocado groves,” said Head Brewer Ryan Morrill, “and then added Columbus, Chinook, and Cascade hops. The end result is that we have a beer we’re pretty excited about, one that weighs in at 6.9 % abv and 62 IBUs. There’s a real nice light honey flavor that balances out an even bitterness for a very drinkable IPA.”
And if history is any indication, the Variance Avo IPA won’t last long. Attendance at the Avocado Festival has been steadily climbing annually to include some 100,000 people that descend on the usually sleepy beachside town of Carpinteria. With any luck and a little planning, future Avocado Festivals may just see the brewery able to offer pints at the festival itself. For now though festival goers will have to find their way down to the brewery to sample some of the nine beers on tap and take advantage of fresh, local, handcrafted 16 oz. pints for $4, ocean views, and unparalleled camaraderie.
There are many things we do around here at the brewery, but Saturday, September 13 from 11:00 - 5:00, we, with hopefully you, will be doing some of the most important work there is. We'll be hosting a donor testing event in the aims of finding a bone marrow donor for Magnus Kalins, a local three-year old with leukemia. Erik is the son of Anna and Erik Kalins, and grandson to Dr. Zemjanis (aka Dr. Z) of Beach Medical Clinic. This is the part where the community steps up. We'll be offering a free pint to the first 100 who participate. It's a simple, ten minute swab of the mouth. If you are or know anyone of Latvian descent, we'll be happy to extend any and all enticements to get you here. There will be a grill full of tri-tip and jewelry sale fund raiser. Hope to see you then!
Here's a write up from the Coastal View:
Clock ticks on toddler’s life: Three-year-old with leukemia needs bone marrow match
By Kateri Wozny
Magnus Kalins is a typical energetic toddler; he loves playing with his Legos, with Disney’s “Cars” on a racetrack and with his sand and water table.
“To get all his energy out, we sometimes even pull out the futon couch and pad it so he can run, wrestle and have pillow fights,” said Anna Kalins, Magnus’ mother.
With such a fun, loving spirit, no one would imagine that anything is wrong with Magnus. However, in late June, he was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia called Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia, one of three types of children’s leukemias.
JMML is difficult to treat, and a bone marrow transplant is the only cure. Sadly, no one in Magnus’ family is a perfect match. If left untreated, he might not make it to see his 5th birthday.
Early signs Shortly after Easter, the Kalins family noticed Magnus had severe bruising on his shins and petechiae (broken capillaries). After visiting their local pediatrician, they discovered that Magnus had an abnormal white blood cell count, and he was later admitted to Ventura County Hospital, followed by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for a platelet transfusion, all within an eight-hour span.
“We were just so concerned and wanted answers,” Anna said.
At the time of his diagnosis, Magnus’platelet count was 14,000, while a normal person’s is more than 150,000.
“The doctors were amazed that he has so much energy and that he showed no other symptoms (of JMML),” Anna said.
Although the family was devastated to hear the news, they immediately began taking steps to make sure Magnus stays healthy. Currently, he needs a blood transfusion about every seven to 10 days and is also on a low dose chemotherapy drug called 6-Mercaptopurine (or 6 –MP), which he takes twice a day.
“Magnus only has skin reactions from the medications,” Anna said. “And when we take him to the hospital, we explain to him that the doctors are trying to fix his blood.”
Taking precautions Magnus is limited in what he can do throughout an average day, such as playing outside, interacting with his peers or going to the grocery store due to the chance of catching a virus. If he takes walks with his family, he must be in a stroller. His mother and father also keep a constant eye on him to keep him from falling or bumping himself due to the risk of hemorrhaging.
“He caught a cold from my mom and he was admitted to the ER for four days with a 106 degree fever,” said Erik, Magnus’ father. “We take precautions.”
Magnus also takes a bath every day with Epson salt to draw out toxins and can only wear clothes once before washing them.
“We have to keep everything separate. It’s hard when he hears his baby sister (3-month-old Zane) cry and he wants to help,” Anna explained. “We have Lysol wipes and hand sanitizers everywhere. We also do laundry and wash dishes daily.”
Community steps up Upon hearing the news of Magnus’ illness, many friends and neighbors have reached out to help the Kalins with chores such as cleaning their house and fixing them dinners. The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation is also helping by giving the Kalins family a grant, gas gift cards and marketing a series of fundraisers that will take place next month throughout Southern California.
“We’re overwhelmed with the support from the community and are very thankful and blessed,” Anna said.
Dr. John Zemjanis, family practitioner at Beach Medical Clinic and Magnus’ grandfather, has also been going the distance to help his grandson. Over the past few months, he has reached out to experts who know more about JMML, such as doctors at U.C. San Francisco and University of Minnesota. “They offer great support and advice,” he said. “I am very grateful to those who have been willing to communicate with me.”
Match 4 Magnus Teddy Bear is also working closely with Be The Match, a nonprofit that recruits bone marrow donors. Donors that are 18- to 44-years-old can register for free with a promo code. Those between the ages of 45 to 60 are asked for a donation of $100 to cover the testing costs.
The family is staying strong and hopeful for a donor match. If one is found, it could take up to 90 to 100 days in the hospital to complete the bone marrow transplant.
“We just take it day by day, one step at a time,” Anna said.
Can’t attend one of the fundraiser events? Visit join.bethematch.org and enter promo code MATCH4MAGNUS if you are between the ages of 18 to 44.
