🍂 Pairing Campfire Meals with Local Brews from the Kernville Beer Festival: The Ultimate Fall Camping Experience at Kern River's Edge
- Kern River's Edge Team
- Sep 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 29
Fall is the perfect time to trade city lights for starry nights, and there's no better place to soak up the season than Kern River’s Edge Campground. Crisp mountain air, colorful foliage, crackling campfires — and now, local beer pairings that bring your camping cuisine to a whole new level. Whether you're attending the Kernville Beer Festival or planning your own fireside tasting with Kern River Brewing Company brews from our camp store, you’re in for an unforgettable fall adventure.
🎉 Sip & Savor: Fall at Kern River’s Edge + The Kernville Beer Festival
Each fall, Kernville comes alive with the hoppy aromas and lively energy of the Kernville Beer Festival, where craft breweries from all over California converge to pour their finest brews. Held just minutes from our campground, it’s the perfect event for beer lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Why Camp During Beer Fest?
Walk, ride your bike (or Uber) to the event and back — no long drives necessary
Enjoy exclusive campground-only access to Kern River Brewing Company beers on-site
Wake up surrounded by nature — not traffic
Keep the party going with your own DIY beer & campfire food pairings
Pro tip: Book your campsite early for Beer Fest weekend — spots go fast!
🍺 Bring the Beer Fest to Your Campsite
Can’t make the festival? No problem. At Kern River’s Edge, you can create your own beer tasting experience right at your site. Swing by our camp store to pick up a cold 4-pack or two of Kern River Brewing Company favorites like:
Just Outstanding IPA – A piney, citrusy IPA perfect for bold flavors
Raspberry Kettle Sour – Tart, tangy and slightly sweet, amplifies citrus and spice
Kern Lite Lager – Crisp body with a smooth finish, a campfire crowd pleaser
👉 Reserve Your Campsite Now. We’ll see you soon—on the Kern!
🔥 Campfire Cooking + Craft Beer Pairings
Pairing the right beer with your meal elevates your entire camping experience. Here are a few easy campfire or Dutch oven meals to try — with perfectly matched local brews.
🥓 1. Dutch Oven Bacon Mac & Cheese
Pair with: Just Outstanding IPA
Creamy, cheesy, smoky — and just the right amount of indulgent.
Recipe:
Cook pasta al dente
In a Dutch oven, mix cooked pasta with shredded sharp cheddar, cream, cooked bacon, and a dash of mustard powder
Top with breadcrumbs and more cheese
Cover and cook over coals for 20 mins
Why it works: The hoppy bite of the IPA cuts through the richness and balances the smoky bacon.
🍔 2. Campfire Smash Burgers
Pair with: Isabella Blonde
Juicy burgers + golden buns = the ultimate fireside feast.
How-To:
Press seasoned ground beef into thin patties
Sear in cast iron over flame
Top with sharp cheddar, grilled onions
Serve on toasted brioche
🍺 Why it works: The crisp, clean finish of Isabella Blonde refreshes your palate between each juicy bite.
🌮 3. Campfire Street Corn Elotes
Pair with: Lovely Kettle Sour
Smoky, tangy, messy, and magical. Corn never tasted so cool.
How-To:
Grill whole corn over the fire
Slather with mayo + cotija + chili powder + lime juice
Eat immediately, with plenty of napkins
🍺 Why it works: The tart brightness of the sour beer slices through the richness and amplifies the citrus and spice.
🌭 4. Classic Chili Dogs
Pair with: Kern Lite Lager
Comfort food, meet crushable beer. This combo hits every nostalgic note.
How-To:
Grill all-beef hot dogs over open flame
Warm up your favorite chili (or make your own)
Top dogs with chili, cheese, and chopped onions
🍺 Why it works: Kern Lite’s crisp body and smooth finish cleanses your palate and keep things light and easy.
🎃 What to pair with KRBC's Pumpkin Ale? So much!
Kern River Brewing Company's Pumpkin Ale is a seasonal treat that calls for the right kind of pairings to highlight its cozy, spiced profile. Here are some perfect pairings for Pumpkin Ale:
🥘 1. Campfire Chili with Cinnamon & Cocoa
Why it works: The slight sweetness and spice from the ale plays beautifully with a chili that leans just a bit toward the mole-inspired side. Add a pinch of cinnamon and a spoonful of cocoa powder to deepen the flavor.
🧀 2. Smoky Gouda Mac & Cheese
Why it works: Pumpkin Ale’s rich malts and baking spices match the creamy, smoky flavors of the gouda. Add caramelized onions or roasted squash for bonus points.
🥓 3. Maple-Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Sausages
Why it works: This is rich, sweet, and savory — just like the ale. The salty bacon contrasts beautifully with the beer’s spiced character.
🥧 4. Campfire Roasted Sweet Potatoes or Pumpkin Pie
Why it works: Sometimes, like pairs with like. The pumpkin flavor in the beer complements the dish, and the spices mirror each other without competing. Top roasted sweet potatoes with cinnamon, brown sugar, and marshmallows to lean into dessert territory.
🍩 5. Apple Cider Donuts
Why it works: The warm cinnamon-sugar crust on cider donuts enhances the spice in the ale, while the apple brings a bright note that contrasts the malt backbone.
🔥 Bonus Tip: Use It in the Recipe
Use Pumpkin Ale in your batter for beer bread, pancake mix, or even a beer cheese dip for soft pretzels. It’ll subtly infuse the dish with fall flavor and tie your food + drink pairing together perfectly.
🏕️ Kern River’s Edge: Your Basecamp for Fall Fun
When you’re not flipping burgers or pouring pints, fall in the Sierra offers plenty to explore:
Kayaking, tubing, or fly fishing the Kern (conditions permitting)
Cozy nights by the fire with friends and family
📅 Plan Your Fall Getaway
Whether you're coming for the Kernville Beer Festival, or just looking to unwind with craft beer and great food, Kern River’s Edge is your go-to campground for fall flavor and fun.
✅ Book your site now — before they're gone
🍻 Stock up on local brews from our camp store
🔥 Try out a new recipe and create a memory
Ready to Eat, Drink & Camp Happy?
Book your fall escape today and taste why Kern River’s Edge isn’t just a campground — it’s a lifestyle.
Read more: Top mountain bike trails near the Kern River
👉 Book your campsite online now. We’ll see you soon—on the Kern!
October Events around Kernville
Looking for more camping tips and tricks?
Then we’ve got you covered! Check out some of our additional resources to learn more about camping along the Kern River and how to camp like a seasoned pro!
Additional Resources:
Newsletter Title: "Brew & Chew by the Fire: Your Fall Camping Pairing Guide"
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