It conjures images of the local nutjob standing on the
corner of a busy intersection with a massive painted sign, emphatically yelling
gibberish, jabbing his finger in the air in the direction of all passersby.
After 11 months of this self-imposed unique beer quest, I’m
not too far off from falling into the category of Local Nutjob myself.
Am I the crazy one, pushing forward aggressively to end the
year with a bang? Or is Chris Wilder even more of an unadulterated loon…
my last remaining competitor, aware he’s roughly 450 behind me but still
refusing to yield, constantly rising like Michael Myers in “Halloween”, the
antagonistic spectre who insists on taking me down despite the odds?
Regardless of lunacy levels, real or perceived, I can’t wait
for this year to be over. Not because I’m sick of beer. Quite the
opposite. I actually love beer more than ever. Most of all, I
simply miss choice itself. That mindset that I’m going to pick whatever I
want to drink and just stick with it all day. Or all week. Or all year. Hell, maybe in 2015 I’ll only drink growlers of Eagle Rock
Populist.
Next year I’m positively drinking way less. First, for
obvious health reasons. My diet is better than ever this year, and I’m
averaging 10 lbs lighter than last year. If I stop drinking for a while,
or at least cutting back, I’ll easily drop another 5-10. Plus, 2015 is
going to be a financial challenge overall, so after exhausting my 2014 beer
nest egg, I’m focusing on drinking less in general. Even though good beer
can still be had at a cheap price, the continuum of consumption adds up.
I find myself pouring more lousy single bottles down the
drain these days. My tolerance for substandard beers has lessened.
I’m way less likely to nurse a weak lager these days, in comparison to 11
months ago. If it’s genuinely bad, and shows no promise of improving
(like a dark beer that may be tastier when it’s closer to room temp), then I’m
not forcing myself to consume the whole thing. I’d rather save the
calories for a genuinely great, or at least decent beer. And I’d prefer not
to subject my taste buds to unwarranted punishment.
Finding unique beers when I’m over 2,800 deep requires more
creativity and research. It’s comical for me to walk into an
establishment with 30, 50, or 100 taps and only find 3-4 distinct brews to try,
but it happens, and it happens frequently these days. But in this home stretch, I’m finally hitting some “obvious” destinations I’ve been putting off
all year. Stone Company Store in Pasadena.
Golden Road. So many of the old standbys that I can’t believe I’ve
avoided for 11 months straight. And despite the challenge, I’m even more
surprised in searching exclusively for new beers to try that options do keep
popping up. If someone concentrated only on the U.S. and ignored Belgium
& the rest of the world entirely, they still wouldn’t be able to sample
every beer available in America.
With over 3,100 breweries, each averaging 10 different available brews at any given
moment, and most of them rotating through new beers and seasonal brews all
year, it’s incomprehensible how much is out there.
As I finally wind down, there are no more huge beer fests on
the horizon for me. Just sustained, affordable sampling over the next
month before I hit that checkered flag. Thankfully, in the wake of GABF, the Beering
Gods have smiled favorably, continuing to bestow some incredible tasting experiences upon
me:
*Shelton
Brothers The Festival 2014: I found out about this on Groupon of
all places. Most beer events listed on Groupon are lame, and tend to look
like an attempt at a quick money grab for some local entrepreneur looking to
cash in on the “craft beer craze”. This was simply listed as The Festival
2014 and was based in San Pedro, an oceanside
community not known for much aside from endless shipping docks, The Minutemen,
and Ambrosia (the band, not the dessert). The logo looked cheezy like
something from the ‘80s, and I expected a list of breweries like Sam Adams and
Shock Top. After a bit of digging, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
It was set up by Shelton Brothers distribution who are known for importing some
of the best braus from across the planet. Entry was only $30 through
Groupon, plus drink tickets. As fate would have it, while walking to the
entrance, some fella from the previous day’s session drove up and just handed us his
leftover drink tickets for free. There were at least 50. We were
meant to drink here. Held in an enormous warehouse near the docks, the
room was spacious, airy, not overly crowded, with a relaxed vibe, and scattered
with tables pouring the greatest brews in the world… no hyperbole
intended nor necessary. CANTILLON, DE MOLEN, TO OL, HILL FARMSTEAD, DE STRUISE…
flabbergasting to say the least. 
To top it off, brewers and
representatives from each brewery were flown in for the event. I even had
the brewer from BRASSERIE DE BLAUGIES explaining the meaning behind “La
Vermontoise” to me in broken English. Of course, I’ve forgotten most of
the context, but it still left a lasting impression on me how the beer world is
an extended family. Even if we don’t speak the same language, we still
possess that same shared passion & appreciation, the same unadulterated
love of beer which unites us. 8 WIRED, 3 FONTEINEN, NOGNE O, THE BRUERY,
JOLLY PUMPKIN, ANCHORAGE.
By stumbling upon this fest, I had stumbled upon greatness. And 52 deep,
all high octane, mind you, there was a considerable amount of additional
stumbling. Thankfully, my BFF Melissa Gearhart had volunteered to
drive. She and my other BFF Ayn Dunn proved to be the perfect companions
for brew exploration. I enjoyed their enjoyment, witnessing the
introduction of new favorite styles to their palates. I spotted a few San Fernando Valley hardcore beer nerd regulars here, and speaking to them again after the fact, they all flagged this is the finest beer event of the year, even rivaling or surpassing the Firestone Walker Invitational. Not bad for a random discount Groupon ticket...
 |
| Someone's gotta cut this kid off.... |
*Highway 395: I started the year with a
trip to Reno,
so it seemed fitting to end the year with another one. We hit the Biggest
Little City to visit my wife’s family for Halloween, and give our son a chance
to trick or treat with his cousins. And give me a chance to hit some
unexplored breweries.
This extended weekend was a buffet of new brews, the
majority of which were impressive. The drive up 395 one of my favorite
stretches of scenic two lane blacktop anywhere in the country, through high
desert, past the highest peaked mountains in either state. On the way, I strong armed my wife & son
into stopping at MAMMOTH BREWING in… well… Mammoth. I was obnoxious
enough to arrive right when they opened, and sampled everything they had to
offer. Strangely enough, Mammoth beers cannot be found in SoCal, so I
needed to take advantage of this rare experience. Highlights were the
BOURBON BARREL AGED EISBOCK and the OWENS VALLEY WET HARVEST BLACK IPA.
That night in Sparks, a huge (there were 11 of
us) family outing to GREAT BASIN BREWING hit
the spot and settled my cravings, albeit temporarily. After trying 9 new
ones, as well as several repeats, I found a Great Basin
bottle at a local liquor store with a brew that wasn’t on the menu at the
pub. The MAYAN MAYBE NOT Old Ale was the best thing I’ve tasted from this
brewery, with heavy malt, chocolate, caramel, and slight heat from
habaneros.
The next morning, I toted my wife & brother-in-law Rick
out to Truckee to hit my one “must see”
brewery: FIFTY FIFTY. Their stouts are the stouts of legend.
Guess what wasn’t on tap when we arrived. Their stout and porter were
tapped out so we sampled everything else available, comprised of the various
ales you’d expect, but the saving grace was the OLD CONUNDRUM BARLEY WINE and
the ANNULARITY BLONDE BARLEY WINE ON WOOD. Nectar of Heaven.
On the
way out of town, we nearly drove past MELLOW FELLOW without stopping. I
would have kicked myself had we kept driving. Now that I've been there, this has become one of my favorite
beer bars in the country. The tap list was impeccable, and occupied by
numerous regional breweries I’d never heard of. OL’ REPUBLIC, FLAT TAIL,
LASSEN ALE WORKS, PALO ALTO BREWING, THE BREWING LAIR. MELLOW FELLOW is a
must.
We headed back to Reno, and surprisingly my wife
had a “must see” location on the beer tour: The SIERRA TAP HOUSE, run by
SIERRA NEVADA BREWING, right on the edge of the river in downtown Reno. Today was
Halloween and we lucked upon a NARWHAL STOUT tap event labeled as
“Narwhalloween”. Couldn’t have capped of the day better… NARWHAL 2014,
2013, 2012, BOURBON BARREL AGED, and CASK CONDITIONED. I spent most of
the evening of Halloween desperately trying to prop my eyelids open, although I
wasn’t very successful, nor was I very good company to the rest of the fam.
Halloween evening into Saturday we were inundated with a big
storm that plunged the temperatures & dusted the surrounding mountains in
snow. Perfect beering weather. Before taking the kids on a Virginia
City mine tour, it was time to cozy up to a Nevada staple: BATTLE BORN BEER,
apparently a lager that Nevadans are proud of, much like Texans and their LONE
STAR BEER, except Battle Born is infinitely better. Pho noodles downtown Reno. Afternoon
naps. A trip to Total Wine & More to stock up on single bottles I
can’t find in LA. Then we hit the town, brewery bound with my wife’s
sister Sarah, her hubby Rick, and other sis Amy.
First stop, PIGEON HEAD
BREWERY, very much a hipster brewery, in an industrial part of town, hidden
beneath an overpass. Raw but “cool” tasting room, nice staff, great T-shirt
designs, solid beers across the board. Next stop was SILVER PEAK BREWERY,
a spot that has clearly been around for a while, long before the recent wave of
“craft” outlets. This place has been pouring since the early days when folks were still calling them microbreweries, and it has that same
dated aura to it. I tried all 12 house taps, and as expected, pretty good
but not memorable. Definitely a taphouse for fans of BJ’s or Gordon
Biersch.
The polar opposite is BRASSERIE ST. JAMES, likely the hippest
brewery in the basin. This joint was packed to the rafters, with our only
seating option being outside. Schmancy food and schmancy brews at San Francisco
prices. Pricey but high quality. We loved it, but we also wanted to avoid
being broke, so we all shared 12 samplers and some appetizers & moved
along. Next we hit DEATH AND TAXES, a dark and deliberate mix of
Prohibition era style meets Haunted
Mansion. Comfy,
with great cocktails and a few impressive taps. The stay was short, the altitude
and bone dry, cold air was dehydrating me and making the alcohol hit me
quicker.
Thanks to the sober Sarah, we made it to our final destination,
THE BREWER’S CABINET. Tons of proprietary beers, but I only could only
make my way through another one, with a few tasters for good measure.
Most impressive was the HABANERO APPARITION IPA. Least impressive was how
much the room was spinning. We capped off the evening with a salty French
dip at Mel’s Diner and called it a night. Sunday was the long, but beautiful drive home which included
a stop in June Lake
to visit the newly opened JUNE
LAKE BREWING. I
tried everything on tap, and enjoyed their brews across the board, in
particular the HUTTE DOUBLE IPA and 8140 BLACK IPA. A nice, secluded,
down to earth spot worthy of seeking out. Dinner at HOLY SMOKE BBQ in Bishop capped off a great trip. This place is super clean. Spotless. The smoked meats were second only to homemade, but damn close to perfection. Best part was ghost pepper BBQ sauce, which I devoured without regret. The music piped into this restaurant was Christian Rock. Then I made the connection to the name HOLY Smoke. Those wacky Christians! Thanks to the deity of your choice, the Eastern Sierras treated me
quite well, as always, on this trip.
The beering continues….
 |
| The face of new beer. |
Tues 10/21 - Home
2514 - SPATEN FRANZISKANER LOWENBRAU GRUPPE FRANZISKANER
WEISSBIER DUNKEL
2515 - OAKSHIRE BREWING WATERSHED IPA
Wed 10/22 - Home
2516 - KENYA
BREWERIES TUSKER FINEST QUALITY LAGER
2517 - SPEAKEASY UNTOUCHABLE IPA
2518 - NEW BELGIUM
HOP THE POND (HOP KITCHEN #7) DOUBLE IPA
Thurs 10/23 – Tasters at Tony’s Darts Away, New release
tasting at Vendome, and a couple at home
2519 - KINETIC BREWING TORQUE
2520 - GOLDEN
ROAD PINATA BERLINER WEISSE AGED IN TEQUILA
BARRELS
2521 - BALLAST POINT SOUR WENCH BLACKBERRY SOUR ALE
2522 - INLAND EMPIRE BREWING COMPANY HEAD SPLITTER BLONDE
SOUR
2523 - OFF COLOR BREWING TROUBLESOME GOSE
2524 - EVIL TWIN BREWING JUSTIN BLABAER
2525 - GREAT DIVIDE BREWING FRESH HOP ALE
2526 - STONE BREWING SMOKED PORTER WITH CHOCOLATE AND ORANGE PEEL
2527 - BISON BREWING ORGANIC RED REUBEN
2528 - SMUTTYNOSE BREWING TRIPEL
2529 - EEL
RIVER BREWING TRIPLE EXULTATION
2530 – PRIMATOR DOUBLE BOCK
Fri 10/24 – Downtown LA tastings
2531 - ABSOLUTION BREWING PURGATORY
2532 - SURF BREWERY MONDO'S CREAM ALE
2533 - KING
HARBOR BREWING THE SWIRLY
2534 - KINETIC BREWING CITRAFUGE
2535 - PROGRESS BREWING ALAMO
CREAM ALE
2536 - CRAFTSMAN BREWING OKTOBERFEST
2537 - BRAUEREI AYING AYINGER CELEBRATOR
Sat 10/25 – Pumpkin ale tasting at Vendome, a few tasters at
Boneyard Bistro, and a couple at Kim Lawrence’s Halloween party
2538 - ROGUE ALES ROGUE FARMS PUMPKIN PATCH ALE
2539 - SMUTTYNOSE BREWING PUMPKIN ALE
2540 - ALPINE BEER COMPANY ICHABOD ALE
2541 - SHIPYARD BREWING BOURBON BARREL AGED SMASHED PUMPKIN
2542 - UINTA BREWING OAK JACKED IMPERIAL PUMPKIN ALE
2543 - AVERY BREWING PUMP(KY)N
2544 - LOGSDON FARMHOUSE ALES STRAFFE DRIELING
 |
| This dog's face scares the crap out of me |
2545 - DOUBLE
MOUNTAIN KILLER GREEN
2546 - EL SEGUNDO BREWING WALLET DROPPER
2547 – GUINNESS BLONDE AMERICAN LAGER
2548 - BIRRA PERONI
Sun 10/26 – A couple lousy ones at Auntie Joey’s, some lousy
ones at home, but a big finale
2549 - SHOCK TOP PUMPKIN WHEAT
2550 - SHOCK TOP HONEYCRISP APPLE WHEAT
2551 - SIMPLER TIMES LAGER
2552 – JOSEPHSBRAU NAME TAG CLASSIC LAGER
2553 - JOSEPH JAMES BREWING WEIZE GUY HEFEWEIZEN
2554 - DOUBLE MOUNTAIN CARRIE LADD STEAMSHIP PORTER
2555 - BROUWERIJ DE MOLEN CEASE & DESIST RUSSIAN
IMPERIAL STOUT
Mon 10/27 - Home
2556 - STEINHAUS BREWING MISSION ST. INDIA PALE ALE
2557 - PRETTY THINGS SAINT BOTOLPH'S TOWN
2558 – JOSEPHSBRAU BLACK TOAD DARK
ALE
2559 - SIERRA NEVADA
BREWING CELEBRATION ALE IPA
Tues 10/28 - Home
2560 - CORONADO
BREWING 18TH ANNIVERSARY ALE
2561 - BLACK MARKET BREWING SUPERSTITION PUMPKIN ALE
2562 - BOATSWAIN H.L.V. ALE
Wed 10/29 - Home
2563 - TUCHER DUNKLES HEFE WEIZEN
2564 – PRIMATOR MAIBOCK
Thurs 10/30 – Up the 395, destination Reno
2565 - JUNE
LAKE BREWING ROCK N' DIRT
MILK STOUT
2566 - JUNE
LAKE BREWING ALPER'S
TROUT PALE ALE
2567 - MAMMOTH BREWING KUNG FU APPLE ALE
2568 - MAMMOTH BREWING JAPANESE RED RICE ALE
2569 - MAMMOTH BREWING WILD SIERRA
MOUNTAIN FARMHOUSE ALE
2570 - MAMMOTH BREWING ELDERBERRY SOUR
2571 - MAMMOTH BREWING OWENS VALLEY
WET HARVEST BLACK IPA
2572 - MAMMOTH BREWING FIRE &
EISBOCK
2573 - MAMMOTH BREWING BOURBON BARREL AGED EISBOCK
2574 - MAMMOTH BREWING GOLDEN TROUT PILSNER
2575 - MAMMOTH BREWING PARANOIDS PALE ALE
2576 - MAMMOTH BREWING IPA 395
2577 - MAMMOTH BREWING EPIC IPA
2578 - GREAT BASIN BREWING KEEP TRUCKEE
MEADOWS BEAUTIFUL WAAPUI ALE
2579 - GREAT BASIN BREWING
BASIN BACON BREW
2580 - GREAT BASIN BREWING
BLACK EYE P. A.
2581 - GREAT BASIN BREWING
GINGER CILANTRO SAISON
2582 - GREAT BASIN BREWING
HOP-A-SAUR
2583 - GREAT BASIN BREWING
JACKPOT PORTER
2584 - GREAT BASIN BREWING
TECTONIC EVENT DOUBLE IPA
2585 - GREAT BASIN BREWING
TRIQSTER
2586 - GREAT BASIN BREWING
OKTOBERFEST
2587 - GREAT BASIN BREWING
MAYAN MAYBE NOT
2588 - BROOKLYN BREWERY DRY
IRISH STOUT
2589 - HOP
CITY BREWING BARKING
SQUIRREL LAGER
Fri 10/31 – Day trip to Truckee for serious sampling,
wrapping up in Reno
2590 - FIFTY FIFTY ANNULARITY BLONDE BARLEYWINE ON
WOOD
2591 - FIFTY FIFTY BLONDE #5 (TRUCKEE
BLONDE RESERVE)
2592 - FIFTY FIFTY BASE CAMP GOLDEN ALE
2593 - FIFTY FIFTY MANIFESTO PALE ALE
2594 - FIFTY FIFTY C.A.P.A.
2595 - FIFTY FIFTY LEG LIFTER
ALE
2596 - FIFTY FIFTY ROCKSLIDE
IPA
2597 - FIFTY FIFTY CHARLES B. BROWN ALE
2598 - FIFTY FIFTY OLD CONUNDRUM BARLEY WINE
2599 - KNEE DEEP BREWING MOCHA CREAM
STOUT
2600 - BREWING LAIR STAKE OUT, COFFEE BLACK
IPA
2601 - PALO ALTO
BREWING OYSTER STOUT
2602 - LASSEN ALE WORKS OFF-THE-SCALE BARLEY WINE
 |
| Don't ask. |
2603 – LAGUNITAS BORN YESTERDAY PALE ALE
2604 - 21ST AMENDMENT BREWERY BLAH BLAH BLAH IPA
2605 - OL' REPUBLIC BREWERY CHOCOLYPTO STOUT
2606 - OL' REPUBLIC BREWERY DUNKEL BOCK
2607 - FLAT TAIL BREWING TAILGATER KOLSCH
2608 - SIERRA NEVADA
BREWING NARWHAL IMPERIAL STOUT (2014)
2609 - SIERRA NEVADA
BREWING NARWHAL IMPERIAL STOUT (2012)
2610 - SIERRA NEVADA
BREWING NARWHAL BOURBON BARREL AGED
2611 - SIERRA NEVADA
BREWING NARWHAL CASK
CONDITIONED
2612 - BROUWERIJ STRUBBE IPA
Sat 11/1 – Making the rounds at Reno’s brewpubs & breweries
2613 - BATTLE BORN BEER
 |
| Even Sydney is aware how drunk our mine tour guide is. |
2615 - MAMMOTH BREWING YOSEMITE
PALE ALE
2616 - PIGEON HEAD BREWERY IPL
2617 - PIGEON HEAD BREWERY SUPER HOP CHICK
2618 - PIGEON HEAD BREWERY PILSNER
2619 - PIGEON HEAD BREWERY RED RYE LAGER
2620 - PIGEON HEAD BREWERY BLACK LAGER
2621 - SILVER
PEAK BREWERY XXX BLONDE
2622 - SILVER
PEAK BREWERY BAILEY WHEAT
2623 - SILVER
PEAK BREWERY SIERRA AMBER
ALE
2624 - SILVER PEAK BREWERY SILVER PEAK IPA
2625 - SILVER
PEAK BREWERY RED
ROADSTER
2626 - SILVER
PEAK BREWERY PEAVINE
PORTER
2627 - SILVER
PEAK BREWERY SCHNELL
PILSNER
2628 - SILVER
PEAK BREWERY CRIMSON
WHEAT
2629 - SILVER
PEAK BREWERY MCHINEY'S
WEE HEAVY SCOTCH ALE
2630 - SILVER
PEAK BREWERY SLIDE SIDE
LAGER
2631 - SILVER
PEAK BREWERY SWEET MAMA
PUMPKIN ALE
2632 - SILVER
PEAK BREWERY JUBILEE
CELEBRATION BOCK
2633 - BRASSERIE ST. JAMES THE WIT ALBUM
2634 - BRASSERIE ST. JAMES THE THIRD MAN
2635 - BRASSERIE ST. JAMES PACIFIC PASSAGE TO INDIA
2636 - BRASSERIE ST. JAMES THE WHITE DOWNS
2637 - BRASSERIE ST. JAMES SOUR WITTE
2638 - BRASSERIE ST. JAMES CALIFORNIA
STEAMIN'
2639 - BRASSERIE ST. JAMES OKTOBERFEST
2640 - BRASSERIE ST. JAMES GERMAN
RAUCHBIER
2641 - NEW BELGIUM
LA FOLIE (2014) LIPS OF FAITH
2642 - THE BREWER'S CABINET HABANERO APPARITION
2643 - THE BREWER'S CABINET DIRTY WOOKIE
2644 - THE BREWER'S CABINET JAVA PUNK
2645 - THE BREWER'S CABINET DRAGON PUNCH
2646 - JUNE
LAKE BREWING DEER BEER
BROWN ALE
2647 - JUNE
LAKE BREWING
ESBZAR
2648 - JUNE
LAKE BREWING SMOKIN
PORTER
2649 - JUNE
LAKE BREWING HUTTE DOUBLE
IPA
2650 - JUNE LAKE BREWING SILVER LAKE SAISON
2651 - JUNE
LAKE BREWING ARCHIMEDES
RED ALE
2652 - JUNE
LAKE BREWING 8140 BLACK
IPA
2653 - MAMMOTH BREWING DOS OSOS (2014)
2654 - FISH BREWING FISH TALE ORGANIC IPA
Mon 11/3 – Home, dipping into the stash of singles purchased
in Reno
2655 - LASSEN
ALE WORKS
EAGLE LAKE
IPA
2656 - NINKASI BREWING IMPERIALE IMPERIAL STOUT
Tues 11/4 - Home
2657 - RUBICON BREWING IPA
2658 - CERVECERIA MEXICANA DEATH BECOMES YOU AMBER ALE
2659 - BROOKLYN BREWERY
MONSTER ALE BARLEYWINE (2012)
Wed 11/5 - Home
2660 - RUBICON BREWING CAPRICORN BLACK ALE
2661 - HOPPY BREWING COMPANY STONY FACE RED ALE
2662 - TOMMYKNOCKER BREWERY COCOA PORTER
2663 - PAYETTE BREWING MUTTON BUSTER BROWN ALE
Thurs 11/6 – New release tasting at Vendome, then home
2664 - FREIGEIST BIERKULTUR GEISTERZUG RHUBARB GOSE
2665 - AMAGER BRYGHUS / THREE FLOYDS COLLABORATION ARCTIC
SUNSTONE
2666 - FREIGEIST BIERKULTUR SALZSPEICHER RASPBERRY SOUR
PORTER
2667 - ANCHORAGE
BREWING THE TIDE AND IT'S TAKERS TRIPLE W/ BRETT
2668 - GRAND TETON BREWING
COMING HOME HOLIDAY ALE 2014
2669 – PREARIS QUADROCINNO ALE WITH COFFEE BEANS
2670 – INDIAN WELLS BREWING DEATH VALLEY
PALE ALE
2671 – SANTA FE
BREWING BLACK IPA
2672 – ALASKAN BREWING OATMEAL STOUT
Fri 11/7 - Home
2673 – TENAYA CREEK BREWERY MONSOON IPA
2674 – LEAVENWORTH
WHISTLING PIG HEFEWEIZEN
2675 – FISH BREWING FISH TALE ORGANIC WILD SALMON PALE ALE
2676 – STILLWATER
BRONTIDE
2677 – SANTA FE
BREWING IMPERIAL JAVA STOUT
Sat 11/8 – West
Valley brewery tastings
and a few at home
2678 – ENEGREN BREWING CZECH PILSNER WITH RIWAKA HOPS
2679 – ENEGREN BREWING PROTECTOR IPA
2680 – ENEGREN BREWING COURTRAI
SAISON
2681 – LAB BREWING HOP SOLUTION
2682 – LAB BREWING TAKE HER HOME TRIPEL
2683 – LAB BREWING BELGIAN BREAKFAST BROWN
2684 – LAB BREWING AFTER MIDNIGHT MOO
2685 – LAB BREWING IMPERIAL STOUT
2686 – ENEGREN BREWING CAPTAIN'S SUMMER SESSION KOLSCH
2687 – AVERY BREWING DUGANA IMPERIAL IPA
2688 – GREAT BASIN BREWING
WHITE EYE P.A.
2689 – MAMMOTH BREWING BLONDIBOCK AGED IN BOURBON BARRELS
Sun 11/9 – Shelton Brothers The Festival 2014 in San Pedro,
one of the best beer tasting events of the year
2690 – HET NEST DEAD MAN'S HAND RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
2691 – BROUWERIJ 3 FONTEINEN OUDE GEUZE
2692 – BROUWERIJ 3 FONTEINEN HOMMAGE
2693 – THE BRUERY WINEIFICATION II
2694 – THE BRUERY MASH & COCONUT
2695 – 8 WIRED BARREL AGED SMOKED IMPERIAL PORTER (2011)
2696 – ANCHORAGE / JOLLY
PUMPKIN COLLABORATION CALABAZA BOREAL (ANCHORAGE
VERSION)
2697 – ANCHORAGE
BREWING TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE IMPERIAL STOUT
2698 – BRASSERIE CANTILLON FOU' FOUNE
2699 – BRASSERIE CANTILLON CLASSIC GUEUZE
2700 – HILL FARMSTEAD BREWERY BROTHER SOIGNE
2701 – BRASSERIE DE BLAUGIES DARBYSTE
2702 – OXBOW BREWING ABROREAL
2703 – BROUWERIJ DE MOLEN MOORD & BRAND BOURBON BARREL
AGED
2704 – SANTE ADAIRIUS SAISON BERNICE
2705 – CERVESA DEL MONTSENY NEGRA
2706 – CERVESA DEL MONTSENY MALTA CUVEE
2707 – NOGNE O VIC SECRET
2708 – TO OL LIQUID CONFIDENTIAL
2709 – WEIRD BEARD BREW CO. BEARDED NURSE ARDBEG
BARREL AGED
2710 – BREW BY NUMBERS 08/01 EXPORT STRENGTH STOUT
2711 – BLUEJACKET BOURBON BARREL AGED FIGURE 8
2712 – BRASSERIE AU BARON CUVEE DES JONQUILLES
2713 – JESTER KING BIERE DE MIEL
2714 – JESTER KING LE PETIT PRINCE
2715 – JESTER KING SNORKEL
2716 – HILL FARMSTEAD BREWERY ANNA SAISON
2717 – BAIRD BREWING WABI-SABI
JAPAN PALE ALE
2718 – BAIRD BREWING RISING SUN PALE ALE
2719 – HAIR OF THE DOG PANNEPOOCH RESERVA
2720 – SHIGA KOGEN MIYAMA BLONDE
2721 – MINOH STOUT
2722 – MIKKELLER BEER GEEK DESSERT
2723 – BREWFIST HEIMDALL GALAXIE SAISON
2724 – BREWFIST SPAGHETTI WESTERN
2725 – DE STRUISE BROUWERS CUVEE DELPHINE
2726 – PRAIRIE ARTISAN ALES BOMB!
2727 – HANSON BROTHERS MMMHOPS PALE ALE
2728 – SIDE PROJECT SAISON DU BLE
2729 – THE BRUERY BOTTLEWORKS XII
2730 – JOLLY PUMPKIN FUEGO DEL OTONO
2731 – SIREN CRAFT BREW ODYSSEY 001
2732 – MAGIC ROCK BREWING THE GREAT ALPHONSO
2733 – RENAISSANCE BREWING MPA
2734 – 8 WIRED CHARDONNAY BARREL AGED SAESON (2012)
2735 – JOLLY PUMPKIN PERSIMMONS SHIP
2736 – JOLLY PUMPKIN LA PARCELA
2737 – BROUWERIJ DE RANKE GULDENBERG
2738 – BROUWERIJ DE RANKE SAISON DE DOTTIGNIES
2739 – BUXTON BREWERY BOMBA GENERATION 4
2740 – BUXTON BREWERY RED RASPBERRY ALE
2741 – BUXTON BREWERY THE LIVING END
Mon 11/10 - Home
2742 – FISH BREWING FISH TALE ORGANIC AMBER ALE
2743 – DESCHUTES BREWERY
HOP TRIP
2744 – INDIAN WELLS BREWING MOJAVE RED
2745 – FISH BREWING HODGSON'S BITTER END IPA
2746 – EVIL TWIN BREWING CHRISTMAS EVE IN A NEW YORK CITY
HOTEL ROOM
Tues 11/11 - Home
2747 – CERVECERIA MEXICANA PAY THE FERRYMAN PORTER
2748 – FLYING FISH BREWING EXTRA PALE ALE
2749 – RUBY
MOUNTAIN BREWING
BRISTLECONE BROWN PORTER
2750 – LAUGHING DOG BREWING SNEAKY PETE IMPERIAL IPA
Wed 11/12 – Samplers at Tony’s and a few at home
2751 – KING
HARBOR BREWING POST
SEASON IMPERIAL IPA
2752 – KNEE DEEP BREWING AVIATOR IPA
2753 – GOLDEN ROAD MIGHT AS WELL IPL
2754 – ALESMITH BREWING WINTER YULESMITH
2755 – CERVECERIA MEXICANA CHILI DEVIL
2756 – SANTA FE
BREWING HAPPY CAMPER IPA
2757 – TOMMYKNOCKER BREWERY IMPERIAL NUT BROWN ALE
Thurs 11/13 – New release tasting at Vendome, then home
2758 – GREEN FLASH BREWING CEDAR PLANK PALE ALE
2759 – BEAR
REPUBLIC BREWING RACER X
DOUBLE IPA
2760 – STONE BREWING SOUTHERN CHARRED
2014
2761 – BRASSERIE DIEU DU CIEL PECHE MORTEL
2762 – SLEEPY DOG BREWING WET SNOUT MILK STOUT
2763 – NEW BELGIUM
SAISON HARVEST ALE
2764 – HOP
CITY BREWING HOPBOT
IPA
2765 – BROOKLYN BREWERY
OKTOBERFEST
2766 – MENDOCINO BREWING OATMEAL STOUT
Friday 11/14 – Gathering of co-workers at Golden Road, hard to believe it’s my first
visit all year
2767 – GOLDEN
ROAD I'LL HAVE ANOTHER STOUT
2768 – GOLDEN
ROAD SURFLINER DOUBLE IPA
2769 – GOLDEN
ROAD BATCH 1000 BLACK LAGER
Sat 11/15 - Home
2770 – RIO GRANDE
OUTLAW LAGER
2771 – DESCHUTES BREWERY
CINDER CONE RED
2772 – INDIAN WELLS BREWING BLACKOUT STOUT
2773 – JOSEPH JAMES BREWING CITRA RYE PALE ALE
2774 – BROOKLYN BREWERY EAST INDIA
PALE ALE
2775 – PAYETTE BREWING OUTLAW IPA
 |
| But you already knew I was going to post this... |
Sun 11/16 – Much sampling at Stone Pasadena, Slater’s 50/50,
Stout Hollywood, wrapping up at Loaded Hollywood checking out the incredible
CUTTHROATS 9 live
2776 – STONE BREWING MATTZEN
2777 – STONE BREWING RUINATION IPA WITH HABANERO PEPPERS
2778 – BOOTLEGGER'S BREWERY PUMPKIN ALE
2779 – ROUGH DRAFT BREWING BELGIAN VANILLA STOUT
2780 – HESS BREWING GRAZIAS CREAM ALE
2781 – PORT BREWING BOARD MEETING BROWN ALE
2782 – OHANA BREWING #HASHTAG
HOPS
2783 – ROGUE ALES HAZELNUT BROWN NECTAR
2784 – THREE WEAVERS DEEP ROOTS ESB
2785 – SANTA FE
BREWING OKTOBERFEST
2786 – CISMONTANE BREWING COULTER IPA
2787 – SIX RIVERS BREWERY SASQUATCH DOUBLE IPA
2788 – CISMONTANE BREWING DEAD SANTA (2014)
2789 – KNEE DEEP BREWING THINK TWICE TRIPLE IPA
2790 – CRAFTSMAN BREWING EDGAR'S ALE
2791 – RED STRIPE JAMAICAN
LAGER
 |
| CUTTHROATS 9: What sucks is you don't realize how amazing these guys are. |
Mon 11/17 – Home
2792 - DEVIL'S CANYON BREWING DEADICATED AMBER ALE
2793 - SIX RIVERS BREWERY IPA
2794 - ALASKAN BREWING WINTER ALE
2795 - 21ST AMENDMENT BREWERY FIRESIDE CHAT WINTER SPICED
ALE
Tues 11/18 – Home
2796 - NEW BELGIUM
ACCUMULATION WHITE IPA
2797 - BEER
VALLEY BREWING LEAFER
MADNESS IMPERIAL PALE ALE
2798 - HOPPY BREWING COMPANY TOTAL ECLIPSE BLACK ALE
Wed 11/19 – Tasters at Tony’s and a couple at home
2799 - MONKISH BREWING ST. CITRA
2800 - IRONFIRE BREWING 51/50 IPA
2801 - STONE BREWING LUKCY BASARTD ALE
2802 - STONE BREWING SUBLIMELY SELF-RIGHTEOUS BLACK IPA
2803 - IRONFIRE BREWING BOOT HILL KILLER STOUT
2804 - FISH BREWING VICIOUS CIRCLE AMBER ALE
2805 - ANDERSON
VALLEY BREWING BLOOD
ORANGE GOSE
Thurs 11/20 – Belgian holiday ale tap takeover at Story
Tavern, wrapping up at home
2806 - BROUWERIJ VAN HONSEBROUCK KASTEEL CUVEE DU CHATEAU
QUADRUPEL
2807 - BROUWERIJ VAN HONSEBROUCK KASTEEL WINTER
2808 - BROUWERIJ VAN STEENBERGE BIERE DU BOUCANIER CHRISTMAS
ALE
2809 - BRASSERIE DE SILENRIEUX NOEL DE SILENRIEUX
2810 - BROUWERIJ DE MUSKETIERS TROUBADOR MAGMA TRIPEL YEAST
(BRETT)
2811 - PABST BREWING LONE STAR BEER
2812 - INDIAN WELLS BREWING AMNESIA
IPA
2813 - RIO GRANDE
IPA
 |
| This would be SO NASTY if I had any idea what it meant... |
