AleSmith's new hours

AleSmith Brewing Co. has extended the hours of their newly renovated tasting room, starting today.  They posted the following on Facebook yesterday.

"Our new hours start this week!  We added Wednesday hours (starting tomorrow) and extra hour(s) to Friday, Saturday & Sunday!  Cheers!

Wed/Thur: 2-7pm
Fri: 2-8pm
Sat: 12-7pm
Sun: 12-6pm"

I know this has been covered, and my friend The Beer Rover posted on this earlier today, but a reminder never hurts.  Let's help support this new schedule and check out the new digs.

More Beer

Click here if you don't see the video.

The 2012 Beerdrinker of the Year

I have been to Wynkoop Brewing Co. in Denver, Colorado a number of times, but didn't know until yesterday that they had been naming a "Beerdrinker of the Year" for the past 16 years.  Qualifying for and winning this title is no small feat, and involves more than just throwing back a few brews each weekend.  The Full Pint put together a piece on this years winner who was crowned on Saturday.  Check it out here.  It looks like it's time to start training for next year's title.  Who's in?

Chill out

Beer Bottle Cap Art

Where, in Colorado, I was!

Where was I this time?  Equinox Brewing of Fort Collins, Colorado.  I was really impressed with this small brewery located in Old Town Fort Collins.  Intimate, welcoming, and frenetic all at the same time, the vibe was young and hip, but anyone could find their place in the cozy interior or their spacious outdoor Beer Garden.  I found myself feeling as though I were a regular patron as I sipped my taster set for the first time.  My reason for going, and in my opinion the standout beer, was the Supergiant Imperial Hefeweizen.  My feeble description of this heavenly brew could never do it justice.  It was huge, luxurious, and left me wanting more.  Much more!  In fact, I was impressed with all of their offerings.  A visit to this brewery will be on my itinerary each time I visit my old stomping grounds from now on.  If you find yourself building a list of breweries to visit on a trip to this ever-growing beer region, I would put this at the top of the list.

Where, in Colorado, was I?

I'll let you know tomorrow!

Best Brewers In The World 2012

Here is RateBeer's top 100 brewers for the year.  San Diego's AleSmith, Stone, Alpine, Green Flash, and Ballast Point were all in the top 30, with Port/Lost Abbey coming in at number 69, beating out such heavy hitters as New Belgium and Boston Beer.  AleSmith and Stone, at numbers 4 and 7 respectively, were no surprise, but Alpine coming in at number 17 was great to see.  Congratulations to everyone on the list!

A healthy love of beer

Draft Magazine's Beer Runner seems to have found a healthy balance between fitness and fine brews.  An impressive list of beers under his belt accompany an impressive running regimen.  Balance.  What a wonderful concept!

Happiest, or Drunkest, Place on Earth?

Disneyland is usually not known for drunken brawls, which makes this incident at California Adventure on Saturday afternoon all the more bizarre.  If you feel the need to see the action for yourself, check out the raw, unedited footage here.  It looks like someone hit up the Karl Strauss beer cart a few too many times!

Never lose your beer again

With this handy beer identifier, you will never lose your beer at a party again.  You will look cool, too.

"Because warm beer is a crime"

You do not want to miss out on this deal.  It's not a koozie, it's a Sküüzi, and you have to see it to believe it.  Act fast though, because this deal won't last!

Brewers

Thanks to The Bruery for this hilarious take on the life of brewers!

Rough Draft Brewing Co. update

I posted here about a new brewery opening in San Diego.  The following was posted on their Facebook page today.

"Tickets are now available for our Grand Opening Saturday, March 10th. $20 gets you in, tastes of all our beers, and a 64 ounce growler with one fill of the beer of your choice.  Visit the tickets tab on Facebook, or our website to purchase tickets now."

This seems like a pretty good deal, and a great chance to see what this brewery is all about.  Check out their Facebook page or their website to get tickets.  Let's give them an official San Diego welcome!

What is a Pale Ale?

A beer which uses a warm fermentation and predominantly pale malt.  They are brewed with more lightly roasted malts, and typically have a more equal malt-to-hop balance.  The hops are definitely present, but fairly moderate.

Get a job!

Do you dream of working in the craft beer field, but have no idea where to begin?  Do you already work in the field and are looking to hire someone, but don't know how to find qualified people?  Enter CraftBeerCareers, the new service from Tap Hunter.

"Building stronger companies and exciting career opportunities for people with a shared passion for craft beer.

Employers: post jobs, and use the pay-per-use resume bank.

Candidates: post anonymous resumes and set up an advanced "Job Alert" to notify you of new opportunities."

This should prove to be a useful tool for job seekers and recruiters alike.  So, what are you waiting for?  Get a job!

Where am I?

The American Beer Revival

Click here if you don't see the video.

Weekend Roundup

It's time, once again, for Pizza Port's annual Brewbies Festival.  The event, in its third year, benefits the Keep A Breast Foundation.  The following is their Mission statement.

"The Keep A Breast Foundation™ is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.  Our mission is to help eradicate breast cancer by exposing young people to methods of prevention, early detection and support.  Through art events, educational programs and fundraising efforts, we seek to increase breast cancer awareness among young people so they are better equipped to make choices and develop habits that will benefit their long-term health and well-being."

Pizza Port Presents: 3rd Annual Brewbies Festival
Saturday, 12:00-5:00pm
Carlsbad, CA
$25 in advance, $30 at the door

You know you love 'em, now go support 'em!

Keg Chart

This is a nice reference for keg sizes and capacities.

The Younger the better

Whether you think it's overhyped or not, there's no denying the frenzy that ensues when Russian River Pliny the Younger is available.  I told you here that I would keep you posted on when and where this elusive brew would make its appearance.  Today is the day!  Head on over to Toronado now, or Hamiltons Tavern at 3:00pm for a taste of this hoppy nectar.  Is it as good as "they" say?  There's only one way to find out.

Will Farrell's Super Bowl commercial

Remember these Old Milwaukee commercials that Will Farrell did?  Check out his Super Bowl spot.  Priceless!



Click here if you don't see the video.

Charlize Theron has good taste in beer!

I am not into the world of celebrity gossip, tabloids, or the general stocking of those in the entertainment industry.  I am into the world of beer.  If the two worlds happen to collide, I'm interested.  If Charlize Theron is involved, I'm most definitely interested.  Check out this short article with several snapshots of the starlet toting around a familiar product.  What she was wearing, I don't care.  What she was carrying, was pretty cool.

Super Bowl

Who said that?

"Beer, like soap, comes in a bar and livens up any shower."
- Groupon

Are you feeling Younger?

Pliny fans, rejoice!  Today we welcome back the "younger" brother.  The following is from Russian River Brewing Co.

"It will be available for 14 days, no growlers, we are not bottling it, and it will be distributed in limited amounts as usual.  I will provide more later as it gets closer, but that is all the information available right now!  So no need to email us as we don't know anything else at this time.  We haven't even made it!"

I don't know if they are running on schedule or not, but one way or another this cult favorite will be making an appearance soon.  I will keep you posted with times and locations as they become available.

Get your Sculpin!

You know you love it.  You know your friends love it.  Be the coolest kid on the block when you show up to the Super Bowl party this weekend with a keg of Ballast Point Sculpin!  Get the details here.  Get the Point?  You will!

Another local brewery closes its doors

The brewing community is so close-knit that when a local brewery shuts down it's like losing a family member.  Sadly, yesterday we said goodbye to Airdale Brewing Co.  As pointed out in the West Coaster article which broke the story, the beer was actually brewed in Irvine, but I'm sure we will all remember them as a San Diego native.  I just tried The Angry Panda, their 9% amber ale, on Sunday night.  I was impressed and looking forward to other special releases I had not yet tried.  They will be missed.