Strange Brew

I'm not really a fan of the Food Network show, Mystery Diners, but tonight's episode featured Newport Beach Brewing Co.

"After hearing rumors of unusual beer being served in his restaurant, Michael, owner of Newport Beach Brewing Company in Newport Beach, Calif., believes his onsite Brewmaster may be running a side business.  Charles sends in Mystery Diners Amber and Grant and discovers more than one employee is brewing trouble."

I missed it myself, but it should be on again within the next week or possibly available On Demand, so I'll catch it another time.  Did you see it?

Welcome home!

Drink for thought?

The Brewery Project: Karl Strauss Pacific Beach (main brewery)

 

I was excited to welcome the grand opening of the Karl Strauss Brewing Co. tasting room at their main brewery in Pacific Beach, but even more excited to visit it for myself!  Skipping the crowds that flooded the newly renovated space on the first day of operation, I paid my visit on the second day of regular business, allowing me a more relaxed environment to explore every nook and cranny they set aside for tasting and enjoying the beer San Diego has been quaffing since 1989.  Having seen this area pre-renovation, I had a greater appreciation of the thought and work that went into the finished product.  It is, in a word, beautiful.  Lots of room to mingle, inside and out, retail sales of beer and merchandise, windows into the lab, brewing floor, and bottling line, and of course a large bar area all work together to create a unique tasting room experience.  Plenty of tables and seating are available, as are board games to play while enjoying your beer (also helping to keep younger visitors entertained).  Walls lined with barrel-aging beers provide multifunction and visual interest as well.  A great design to compliment great beer.  I sampled their American (Union Brick) and English Barleywine, and while both were good, the English won my heart.  I am already a fan of the style, but I could drink this one every day and not tire of it.  I also tried Aged Mouette, an aged version of last year's holiday release, Mouette À Trois Holiday Fruitcake Ale.  I wasn't a huge fan of this beer when it was first released, but aging has soured it a bit, making it fruity, tart, and refreshing.  I would get in to try this one before it's gone.  An all around great visit, I look forward to spending some quality time here every chance I get.  I encourage you to do the same!

Welcome to Karl Strauss!

I couldn't be more delighted to focus my 900th post on the grand opening of the Karl Strauss Brewing Co. tasting room at their main brewery in Pacific Beach.  I've been looking forward to this day for a long time (see here, here, and here).  Check out the details of the newly renovated space here.  Head on over today between Noon and 9:00pm to see it for yourself.  I hope to see you there!

They charge this much for water?

iCoaster?

I believe I'll keep my phone in my pocket rather than under my glass.  Check this out and you'll see what I mean.

Tattoo Fail

Choose beer!

Teamwork!

The Brewery Project: Pizza Port Bressi Ranch

 

My favorite local chain has scored yet another home run with the opening of Pizza Port Bressi Ranch.  I enjoyed a couple of delicious IPA's while I was there, but what's new?  Great beer will always be part of the experience at any one of the brewery restaurant's locations.  Anticipating the opening of the new spot here, here, and here, I was extremely excited to experience the newest member of the family for myself.  The 2-story building is by far the largest of the lot.  With a separate bar and seating area on each level along with a large, comfortable patio, there is lots of room to enjoy "Tasty Grub & Grog".  Soon to offer homemade root beer and ice cream, the whole family will have something to look forward to with each visit.  Speaking of looking forward to something, I'm already looking forward to my next visit, and hope to see you there!

Brick Brewers

Especially on Friday!

Alpine Beer Co. making beer in a Flash!

Green Flash, that is.  I posted here about plans Alpine Beer Co. have to contract with Cold Spring Brewing Co. in order to increase beer production.  While those plans are still moving forward, so are plans to increase production locally with the help of Green Flash Brewing Co.  Read all about it here.  I'm really excited about this, and just wish they were able to increase production enough locally that they didn't have to utilize a brewing facility all the way in Minnesota.  Either way, more beer is on the way, and that's a good thing!

Who said that?

"Beer.  Because you can't drink bacon."

- Unknown origin

Is it only Tuesday?

What exactly is a "geek", Wil Wheaton?

"Geek" out on this video about the release of the new Drew Curtis / Wil Wheaton / Greg Koch Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout, and watch Wil Wheaton describe what being a "geek" means to him.  By the way, this beer should be awesome!  I can't wait to try it.



Click here if you don't see the video.

The Brewery Project: Benchmark

 

I'm not going to beat around the bush about Benchmark Brewing Co.  I liked it.  I really liked it.  Organically themed, there is lots of wood, open beams, rock & plant elements, and plenty of space to roam around in.  The interior evokes a sense of peace, encouraging you to leave the cares of the day outside, while you enjoy the warm atmosphere and cold beer inside.  One thing you don't need to leave outside is the family.  All ages are welcome.  Highchairs are available for the youngest of patrons, and homemade orange soda flows from one of the taps so that young ones can enjoy a tasty beverage as well.  A hallway leading to the back of the building opens up to a food truck dock, allowing you to enjoy some good food with your drink of choice.  The people are equally warm and inviting.  The total package is rounded out with some very solid brews.  Each beer I tried, including a Blond, Brown, Oatmeal Stout, IPA, Double IPA, and an American Saison, were excellent representations of their individual styles.  Moderate on alcohol (with the exception of the 9.5% Double IPA) the beer's strength lies in its flavor rather than it's alcoholic punch.  This is the mark of a truly great brewer, and this is truly great beer.  They're shooting to set the standard for craft beer, and I believe that's exactly what they've done!

Two Girls One Pint

Two Girls One Pint is a great website that I just discovered.  Their videos are fun and lighthearted, educating about all things craft beer without taking it, or themselves, too seriously.  Check it out!

Friday Beer Humor

A termite walks into a bar and asks, "Where is the bar tender?"

I'm speechless

¿Qué?

Nice website!

I just stumbled onto Sierra Nevada's website and was really impressed.  Nice job, guys!  Check it out when you get a chance.

Talk about patience!

Check out this story of true patience.  That, and a lot of beer coasters.  I mean a lot of beer coasters.

The Brewery Project: K&B

 

If you know anything about the San Diego craft beer scene, you have no doubt heard of and probably spent some time at K&B Wine Cellar.  What you may not know is that they have now started to brew their own beer!  I've spent my own fair share of time at the Del Cerro landmark, posting about them here.  I also posted about this new endeavor, when I learned of it last September, here.  I was excited to find out that their first beer, Test Batch #1, was ready to be poured a couple of weeks ago.  Apparently something went wrong with Test Batch #1, because the release was delayed until this past Friday when Test Batch #2 was on tap as their official first release.  Touted as an IPA, this was an extremely mild brew.  It had a very nice aroma, but drank more like a Pale Ale.  It was not assertive at all.  It wasn't overly hoppy or malty.  It certainly wasn't bad, just tame.  Chris, who accompanied me to the tasting, called it a good homebrew, which I second.  I believe a IIPA is in the works, which I will be first in line to try.  I'm sure they will grow as a brewery with each release, and I'm exited to take that journey with them.  Seeing what they've done with a humble liquor store, I can't wait to see what they can to do with a brew kettle and a fermenter!

Who's drinking all the beer?

Find out which state consumed the most beer last year by clicking here.  California didn't make the top 10, while Utah boasts the fewest beer drinkers in the country.  Did your state rank?

Bring Your Own Cup

A Fair collection

Be safe tomorrow!

It looks like he needs to find a bigger bar!

Actually, The Nutshell seems like a pretty cool place.  The guy looks pretty cool, too.  As for the owner, I like his mustache!  Confused?  All will be made clear here.  Cheers!

Particularly on Monday!