Boysenberry Festival Tasting Card Guide 2023

It’s the tastiest time of year at Knott’s Berry Farm. My husband and I kicked off the 2023 Boysenberry Festival season opening weekend with a special lunch date. We couldn’t wait to indulge the delicious fun! Daily now through April 16th and weekends, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from April 21 - May 7, Knott’s is featuring more than 36 boysenberry inspired sweet and savory food and beverages.

It all started with a little fruit that  Rudolph Boysen created and Walter Knott

successfully harvested back in the 1930’s. Now known as the boysenberry, it was the result of a cross between a loganberry, a red raspberry, and a blackberry. Today, it is the centerpiece of one of our favorite seasons at Knott’s Berry Farm.

The best way to enjoy the yummy goodness is to purchase the 2023 Knott’s Boysenberry Festival Tasting card. For $55, you get 6 tastings. Quite cost effective, since most of the tastings are listed as $10 each. That breaks down to about $9.17 per item. Tasting cards are available for purchase in advance at Knott’s.com and at the following locations throughout the park: the Front Gate Booth, Calico Railroad Booth, California Store, The Chow House, The General Store, Ghost Town Grub, The Ghost Town Bakery, Gold Mine Trail Booth, Gold Trails Hotel, Gourmet Churro Factory, Little Spurs, Silver Bullet Booth, Sutter’s Complex, Wagon Wheel Pizza Booth, The Wilderness Broiler Booth, Wilderness Dance Hall, The Wilderness Dance Hall Patio Booth.

When we arrived at Knott’s, my husband and I headed straight to my favorite Knott’s retailer - Gold Trails Hotel and Mercantile and picked up our tasting cards. Then we were off to pick out our first entree.

We had our choice of these food items and desserts that are available with the Knott’s Tasting Card:

• Beef Barbacoa over Mac & Cheese with a Boysenberry Chipotle Crema
• Boysenberry Blondie
• Boysenberry BBQ Meatball Pizza
• Boysenberry Bread Pudding
• Boysenberry Dippin’ Dots
• Boysenberry Panna Cotta with a Shortbread Cookie
• Boysenberry Sausage on a Hoagie with Boysenberry Mustard
• Boysenberry Swirl Big Fat Cookie
• Boysenberry Waffle with Whipped Cream and Boysenberry Maple Syrup
• Buffalo Chicken over Mac & Cheese with a Boysenberry Ranch Drizzle
• Cajun Shrimp Po’ Boy with Coleslaw and a Boysenberry Remoulade
• Caprese Garlic Bread with a Boysenberry Balsamic Glaze
• Cauliflower Bites with a Boysenberry Curry Drizzl
• Charcuterie Board with a Boysenberry Crostini and Boysenberry Mustard
• Chicken Wings with a Boysenberry Sweet Chili Glaze
• Elote with a Boysenberry Butter, Boysenberry Mayo, and Cotija Cheese
• Jambalaya with Boysenberry Sausage, Chicken, and Shrimp garnished with Green Onions
• Loaded Potato Bowl with Boysenberry Cheese Sauce, Bacon, and Chives
• Salmon, Cucumber, and Orzo Salad with Boysenberry Dressing
• Sushi Burrito with Spicy Crab Surimi, Avocado, Lettuce, Crispy Onions, Sesame & Unagi Sauce and Boysenberry Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce
• Sweet Corn Nuggets with a Boysenberry Honey Drizzle
• Veggie Sliders with a Boysenberry Mayo and Arugula
• Vegan Tofu, Wild Rice and Kale Bowl with an Apricot and Boysenberry Glaze

The Wilderness Dance Hall and Patio Booth was our first destination since I couldn’t wait to sample the Beef Barbacoa over Mac & Cheese with a Boysenberry Chipotle Crema. The rich, cheesy macaroni and tender beef barbacoa were a delicious mix of flavors. Topped with the Boysenberry Chipotle Crema, the dish had a bit of heat. We absolutely loved it. The best part is that it was a large enough portion that we shared.

Next, we sampled the Sushi Burrito. I really liked the spicy crab surimi in it as it gave it a bit of a kick, but in my opinion, the best part was the boysenberry sweet chili dipping sauce. 

We also sampled the Charcuterie Board with a Boysenberry Crostini. My husband thought the Charcuterie Board was good paired with the new Boysenberry Frose, but I still believe the tried and true boysenberry wine is the true winner. At the Wilderness Dance Hall and additional locations throughout the park, the following adult beverages are also available for purchase with the tasting card too:

• Boysenberry Hazy IPA Beer
• Boysenberry Wine
• Boysenberry Sangria with an Orange Slice
• Boysenberry Lemonade Seltze
• Boysenberry Frosé
• Boysenberry Mud Slide over Ice
• Boysenberry Margarita garnished with a Salt Rim and Lime

The last item we sampled on Knott’s Boysenberry Festival lunch date was the Loaded Potato Bowl with Boysenberry Cheese Sauce, Bacon, and Chives. I was actually expecting a giant baked potato, skin and all, however these were big chunks of potato, smothered in the Boysenberry cheese sauce that actually looked like gravy. They topped the bites with bacon and chives as a garnish. This dish was rich and filling.  

By the time we finished our first round of boysenberry deliciousness, we were done! Pasta and potatoes, we filled our bellies with our favorite starches. Thankfully, we only used a few of our tasting card tabs and have a few left over for another visit. 

Next time, I’m looking forward to trying the Cajun Shrimp Po’ Boy with Coleslaw and a Boysenberry Remoulade while my husbands wants a crack at the Chicken Wings with a Boysenberry Sweet Chili Glaze and Jambalaya with Boysenberry Sausage, Chicken, and Shrimp garnished with Green Onions. Thank goodness we still have time as the Boysenberry Festival was just extended! You can visit daily now through April 16 or weekends, Friday - Sunday, April 21 - May 7. See you there!