Beer #2514-2813 / Day #294-324: The End Is Near!

THE END IS NEAR!

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.

2614 - BGI TIEN GIANG  "33" EXPORT

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

Sun 11/2 – Headed home with a detour in June Lake, followed by a few at home

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...

Beer #1228-1311 / Day #177-186: Brew The Right Thing

Brooklyn. Spawning ground of Biggie Smalls, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and countless Spike Lee joints.  Known as a rough & tumble borough, especially to uninitiated outsiders.  2.5 million sweaty, pissed off people smashed into 71 square miles of brick and rusted steel.  Despite having plenty of “flava”, who knew Brooklyn could offer anything beer-wise, aside from flavorless 40 ozers? 

Infest was booked for two shows in Brooklyn, so we headed out early to get a taste of this town, landing at JFK on a Thursday evening.  Our plane sat on the tarmac for an hour, while the pilot informed us our gate “wasn’t ready”.  What?  The airport didn’t know we were coming?  We finally deplaned, only to wait an additional 15 minutes for our gate-checked guitars to show up, but only after continued prodding of flight staff.  I’ve always loved NY, but since we’ve landed why is everyone here a buffoon?

I knew I'd get some sweet action in NYC

Our fears were assuaged when we were met at the airport by our pals Dan Oestreich and Jack Barfield. Dan is The Man who arranged this whole weekend, and the only reason Infest is in NYC 25 years after an original aborted attempt.  Jack is a friend who traveled from Austin just to hang out & soak up the spectacle that our weekends tend to be.

Thursday night, no obligations, so we drop off bags at our Airbnb room and head over to THE ANCHORED INN, a funky pub adorned with floor to ceiling black velvet paintings depicting everything from a cockeyed wizard to an ancient warrior riding a sleigh pulled by polar bears. Behind the bar is one of the co-owners, Bill Dozer, one of the nicest and hardest working scenesters you could hope to meet.  He runs the kitchen and bar here, as well as sound next door at the adjoining Acheron club.  It’s midnight, but the kitchen stays open long enough to whip up some excellent burgers, and I’m off to the races sampling some Brooklyn brews courtesy of Sixpoint Brewing, with the Sweet Action being particularly good.  Bill points out this beer is one that all of his patrons identify as something different.  Some say Pale Ale, I guessed it was a mild Barleywine, Untappd says it’s a Cream Ale.  Whatever it is, it’s freakin’ tasty.

Naw, take your time, Pops

Friday I’m up early and exploring the neighborhood.  Bedford-Stuyvesant.  Bed-Stuy.  I’d always envisioned this as one of the grittier neighborhoods, but like most “bad” areas, the hipster presence has resulted in a plethora of “artisan” establishments.  And as much as I like to make fun of hipsters, I have no issues reaping the benefits of the new landscape they are creating. Like the Bedford Hill Coffee Bar; not only do they serve great coffee, they have four local taps!  Unfortunately, every morning I went to Bedford Hill, it was much too early to imbibe in the brews.

This afternoon the gang piled into Dan O’s van and headed to a staple of Brooklyn pizza lore, DiFara’s. One of the irresolvable arguments of this borough is who has the best pie.  Many argue that it’s DiFara’s.  I don’t research these things, so I was just along for the ride. Best Pizza In NY? Sounds good.  However, one thing I didn’t know in advance was EVERY SINGLE pizza is made by one man, Mr. DiFara.  He’s the only one allowed to make the pizzas, so much so that legend has it he burned his hand and the whole operation closed its doors for several months until he recovered. Our first mistake was ordering 2 large pies, thinking we would save money on each getting slices. Turns out slices are the way to go. We waited. And waited. Everyone went across the street to the bagel joint to get something to eat while we were waiting for our pizzas. And we still waited. We had invested so much time already it was difficult to determine if we should cut our losses and go, or stick it out.  Two hours later our pies arrived.  They were delicious.  Then again it was 3pm and I hadn’t eaten anything, so at this point a week-old hot dog from 7-Eleven would have been delicious. The Best?  Well, you’ll just have to wait & judge for yourself.

No caption can make this photo funnier than it already is.

Next stop was Coney Island.  We were a week too early to see Joey Chestnut in the annual Hot Dog Eating Competition, but we were still able to grab a dog & a beer at Nathan’s. Their proprietary Coney Island Lager was surprisingly good, but the goodness was short lived as the NYPD left a bad taste in our mouths after pulling our friend Alex Sanchez aside. He had mace visibly attached his belt loop.  He has a permit for mace.  Unfortunately his permit was for Pennsylvania, and we were in NY.  Mace isn’t legal to carry in NY, so they cuffed him and took him to the local precinct.  We talked to a few undercover cops who were explaining the laws regarding mace.  They knew they were taking him in for something that wasn’t a big deal, and that made it even worse. One of the cops was trying to make us feel at ease, like he was “cool” and “just one of the boys” by talking very matter-of-factly, and making comments about women walking by, like “Whoa, lookit dat ass!”  They told us Sanchez would be out “in an hour or two”, which the locals tell me is typical, even if they hold you for a day or more.  Unfortunately, we had to let our incarcerated pal work it out solo because we had to get back to the venue for tonight’s show. 

Nathan's with Joey D., not Joey C.

Once again, we were at The Anchored Inn, geared up to play the adjoining ACHERON next door.  I was told this place was small, but that’s an understatement.  Luckily, these smaller shows are always my favorite.  The intimacy & interaction with the crowd is what makes it exciting, because aside from frontman Denunzio, the other three of us don’t “put on a show”. We stand there & hammer out these tunes, looking very much like the middle-aged Dads that we are. All of the opening bands were awesome, and I somehow found one tiny, vacant square of real estate in the back of the room where I was able to watch them. Magrudergrind are always a highlight for me, and tonight was no exception. These dudes are brothers-from-another-mother, and they absolutely killed it.

The sound was great, thanks to Bill Dozer, and all in attendance were simply there to have fun and go off. There was a hiccup or two in our set, but otherwise tonight’s show went smoothly.  To my surprise, a few days later the Village Voice even ran a complimentary piece on the show. The bands wrapped it up before midnight, and The Anchored Inn stayed open til 4am, so needless to say it was a fine evening of tipsy tomfoolery, including some selections I can’t find out West, like Geary’s Summer Ale and Founder’s Dry Hopped Pale Ale.

Saturday I awoke with a mission.  Today was going to be Beer Day.  Actually, yesterday was supposed to be Beer Day, but with a huge group of folks who all want to do something different, it’s difficult to accomplish anything.  Driving across town and waiting two hours for pizza didn’t help either.  But today there would be no distractions.  I would meet up with a couple friends who were beer savvy, and we’d hit the best local spots without unnecessary detours. 

I kicked off the day at a Bed-Stuy pizzeria called SPEEDY ROMEO. Awesome wood-fired foods. I went for the baked eggs which came in a cast iron pan with arugula on the side;  one of my favorite breakfasts in recent memory. Additionally, my waitress was cool with pouring me some half-pints, even though they didn’t officially serve beer samplers, so I checked out some great local taps from SingleCut Beersmiths, the Billy 18-Watt IPA and Kim Hibiscus Sour. My pal R.J. Ober, guitarist of Magrudergrind and regional rep for Victory Brewing, was kind enough to meet up & guide me for the afternoon.

Torst. Not exactly warm & fuzzy.

We took the G Train (aka the “Ghost Train”, nicknamed for its reputation of not showing up) out to TORST, a fancy schmancy beer bar run by Evil Twin Brewing. This was at the very top of my list to visit, being a huge fan of all things Evil Twin. The environment is very antiseptic. I’m not sure if you’d call it post-modern or metrosexual or just plain uncomfortable, but it was pristine and clean enough for Felix Ungar.  All beers are served in stemmed wine glasses, which frankly is kind of embarrassing... it's kind of like riding a moped:  It's really fun until someone sees you doing it. One unique thing about this spot is their Flux Capacitor, which keeps each tap at the perfect serving temperature for each beer. And it was!  Nothing was too cold, it was all just the right temp to enjoy what each style had to offer.  We were joined by my new pal Bill Dozer and his wife, and co-owner of The Anchored Inn, Carmen Mello.  This couple also knows a ton about the local beer scene, so I was in perfect sippin’ company with these three.  Despite the less-than-warm nature of the room, Torst offered a cavalcade of beer nerd fodder, including many East Coast brewers I never see… Maine Beer Co., Carton, Other Half, Westbrook. In retrospect, it was ironic that Evil Twin is one of my favorites, as I didn’t try a single Evil Twin brew while I was there. We shared the De Dolle Oerbier which defies categorization, and I was nearly moved to tears by the perfection of the Haandbryggeriet Dark Force Russian Imperial Stout. Biggest surprise was the Westbrook Mexican Cake Imperial Stout aged on cacao nibs, vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks, and habaneros.. Complex & rich, it tasted like Christmas in Santa Fe.  But this was summer in NY, and we had to keep moving…

Subway selfie.

Another quick subway ride and we were suddenly in Manhattan’s East Village, taking stairs below street level to an unassuming pub, JIMMY'S NO. 43.  The whole subterranean atmosphere reminded me of Cheers, and this is clearly a local’s hangout, not geared towards the tourist crowd whatsoever. Their taps are predominantly East Coast, and all obscure, at least for me. Barrier Brewing, Peekskill Brewery, Radiant Pig, Oxbow from Maine, Off Color from Chicago.  This place is the shiznit.  Between the four of us, we sampled nearly everything on the list.  My favorites were the offerings from Barrier, who apparently doesn’t tend to brew the same thing twice. My picks of the list would be the Barrier Bulkhead Red IPA and the Oxbow Farmhouse Pale Ale.  Great brews, but the kitchen wasn’t open & we were famished, now that it was going on 4pm. Time for a quick sandwich at Porchetta, one of the best slow roasted pork sandwiches on the planet, and then down the block to my newest mecca of all things sudsy:  PROLETARIAT.

This man knows a helluva lot more than you

They specialize in "Rare, New, and Unusual Beers."  Too bad I wasn't wearing tape on my glasses, because I felt like king of the nerds. This establishment is beyond words. Very small, very specialized, carrying only the best of the best.  Taps that I've never seen anywhere else. Breweries that I've never seen anywhere else. Everything was top notch, and the man manning the braus, Cory Bonfiglio, strikes me as the Dave Witte of NYC... one of those fellas who has been intently following good beer for way longer than 98% of the people involved in the beer scene now. This man knows his shit and is one of the best possible allies for navigating the "deep cuts" on their list.  Everything was a highlight, each pour better than the next... Hof Ten Dormaal Grappa Barrel Belgian Dark, Loverbeer Beerbrugna sour on tap, Glazen Toren Saison D'Erpe Mere Speciale Editie, Hill Farmstead / Brasserie de Blaugies collaboration La Vermontoise farmhouse ale... all sheer perfection.

It was early evening, and I needed to sober up in order to play our second show this evening, so we all headed back to Brooklyn, to this evening's venue THE WICK.

Welcome to The Wick.

This massive brick compound was, appropriately enough, the site of an old brewery.  In many of these cavernous rooms, I could still smell hints of musty, ancient fermentation... the greatest possible sense memory. The vibe was good, the turnout of 500+ was great, the opening bands were excellent, our set was OK... On a stage that big and that high, I always feel a bit of a disconnect from the crowd.  I couldn't even see past the second row of folks in front of the stage. The crowd seemed to enjoy it which is all that really matters. The best part of this evening was reconnecting with old friends from the NY area hardcore/punk/metal scene, some of whom I haven't seen since the '90s when I was playing with Spazz... Ralphy Boy & Matt from Disassociate, Javier from Born Against/Iabhorher/Kylesa, Keith from Rorschach, Rob & Andrew from Black Army Jacket, Eddie from Cattlepress... it really made my evening hanging out with these guys. I told them it felt like a high school reunion, except with people I actually wanted to see. Good vibes. The Wick kicked us all out, and we migrated down the block, some to a Troma Films show, and others to The Anchored Inn around the corner.  I ended up at the latter, and stayed up til the wee hours catching up with old friends, surprised that Keith Huckins was the only person on this entire trip to give me shit about wearing an LA Kings hat. Yo... Rangers lost. Deal with it.

 I love deez ol' palookas!

I think everyone had a good time except drummer Bob, who according to eye-witness accounts, wavered heavily after two rum & Cokes, and stumbled to the sidewalk unable to stand. Guitarist Matt Domino spotted what was happening, donned his Good Samaritan hat, and took Bob back to our room where the lanky legend purged what was ailing him.  The next morning we speculated if Bob was laid up after too much exhaustion (he had climbed the Statue Of Liberty earlier in the day, and then played a show that night), or if someone had drugged him, either accidentally or on purpose.  Bob isn't a heavy drinker, but then again, he can handle two drinks easily.

Naw, it's way classier 'n shit!

At least Bob woke up feeling well, and ready to pursue his Standard Operating Procedure of a day chock full o' Diet Coke and pinball. Me, I was ready to explore more Brooklyn brews. I started out the afternoon sampling a tasty Victory Wild Devil farmhouse style IPA, courtesy of RJ Ober, but now that my whistle was wet, I needed more. We had the entire day free on Sunday, but I was the only one motivated to find local beer. I knew if I stuck around, my afternoon would disappear quickly in a series of waiting around for other people to go eat, take a shit, get cigarettes, get something else to eat, etc. So, I put on my big boy pants and hit this borough solo. One of the local breweries that intrigued me was OTHER HALF BREWING, and according to Google Maps it was just a few blocks off the G Train. Even after two full days here, I had less than zero familiarity of what's where in Brooklyn, but I still headed to the train alone, assuming I'd make sense of it quickly. Within half an hour, I was meandering through an industrial section of the Red Hook neighborhood, looking for a brewery with no signage whatsoever.  Other Half is simply a nondescript room off the street, in a shabby, graffitied brick building. If it wasn't for the address on the website, I would have never known this place existed by simply walking by.  One small room, practically underneath the 278 expressway, raw and gritty, fully DIY, with cool '90s hip hop tunes in constant rotation, and eight high quality taps.  Anthony was behind the counter, soft spoken, and as chill as it gets. I tried all eight beers (actually, I had already sampled their Green Diamonds DIPA the day before at Torst), and loved them all.

OK, but where's the Other Half of this deer?

40 oz later, I was more than pleasantly buzzed, and trying to figure out how to meet up with my cohorts on the other side of town. They were all in the Greenpoint neighborhood watching Bob play pinball at a laundromat. I rode the subway up, met my peeps, had a few quick slices (2 minute wait, as opposed to 2 hours), and grabbed a last local pint at LAKE STREET BAR, the Bronx Brewery Bronx Pale Ale. All too soon we were headed back to JFK, with still so much untapped potential I was leaving behind in Brooklyn, but it would have to wait for my next beering adventure.  So many missed opportunities.  Or maybe it was just the Big Apple's final revenge on a cocky Cali boy walking around in a Kings hat.  Brooklyn's got the flava, Son!

The beering continues...

Thursday 6/26 - LAX to JFK in a day

1228 - WIDMER BROTHERS UPHEAVAL IPA - At Rock & Brews, LAX... is this the joint owned by Gene Simmons? Decent IPA, smooth finish, evenly balanced hops.

1229 - SIXPOINT BREWERY RIGHTEOUS RYE ALE - Mildy spicy & hoppy rye beer, on tap at Anchored Inn, Brooklyn

1230 - SIXPOINT BREWERY SWEET ACTION - Pale ale? Cream ale? Barley wine? Whatever it is, it's freakin' good.

1231 - BELL'S OBERON ALE -Wheat beer, fresh & refreshing

Friday 6/27 - Brooklyn: Part 1

1232 - CONEY ISLAND BREWING CONEY ISLAND LAGER - Tasty, malty, reddish-amber lager at Nathan's... I ordered two and my change was $9.11!

1233 - D.L. GEARY BREWING GEARY'S SUMMER ALE - Nice n' citrusy n' amber, not weak like most beers in the "summer" category.

1234 - 21ST AMENDMENT BREWERY BACK IN BLACK IPA - Not East Coast, but killer black IPA nonetheless, hoppy and chocolatey.

1235 - FOUNDERS BREWING DRY HOPPED PALE ALE - Welcome to hop town, love it, great Nouveau label art, too.

Saturday 6/28 - Brooklyn: Part 2

1236 - SINGLECUT BEERSMITHS BILLY 18 WATT IPA - Hoppy, light and crisp, like a session IPA.

1237 - SINGLECUT BEERSMITHS KIM HIBISCUS SOUR LAGRRR! - Tastes like it sounds.

1238 - CARTON BREWING MONKEY CHASED THE WEASEL - Great Berlinerweisse with mulberry, hint of tartness but not overly fruity.

1239 - OTHER HALF BREWING GREEN DIAMONDS IMPERIAL IPA - Excellent DIPA, apparently brewed by ex-Sixpoint'ers

1240 - BROUWERIJ DE DOLLE OERBIER - Slightly tart, peppery beer that defies most categories.

1241 - HAANDBRYGGERIET DARK FORCE - Wow! What a treat. Black, oily, and Norwegian... just like my women.

1242 - BROUWERIJ LIEFMANS GOUDENBAND OUD BRUIN - Killer!

1243 - WESTBROOK BREWING MEXICAN CAKE - Christmastime in Santa Fe.

1244 - BARRIER BREWING REMBRANDT PORTER - Nice & roasty, apparently the brewery doesn't often brew the same thing twice.

1245 - PEEKSKILL BREWERY SIMPLE SOUR - Very sessionable, like a sweet white wine.

1246 - BARRIER BREWING BULKHEAD RED - Excellent red IPA!

1247 - BARRIER BREWING MOLLY CODDLE - Total English style brown pub ale.

1248 - OFF COLOR BREWING SCURRY DARK TRADITIONAL ALE - Mellow, mildly yeasty, mildly roasty.

1249 - OXBOW BREWING FARMHOUSE PALE ALE - Great!

1250 - RADIANT PIG GANGSTER DUCK RED ALE - Slightly spicy, almost like a mild curry, with cookie dough yeast.

1251 - BROUWERIJ HOF TEN DORMAAL GRAPPA BARREL BELGIAN DARK - High alcohol, acidic & biting, but so goddamn good.

1252 - LOVERBEER BEERBRUGNA - Rare Italian beer on tap, a sour with plums, so smooth.

1253 - GLAZEN TOREN SAISON D'ERPE MERE SPECIALE EDITIE - Crazy good, but too tipsy to tell what I'm tasting.

1254 - JOLLY PUMPKIN / ANCHORAGE COLLABORATION BOREAL - A sour ale aged in oak with grapefruit & peppercorns. Sounds wacky, but it's crazy delicious.

1255 - HILL FARMSTEAD BREWERY / BRASSERIE DE BLAUGIES COLLABORATION LA VERMONTOISE - Hoppy, zesty, ridiculously good.

1256 - ADIRONDACK BEAVERTAIL BROWN - A sleeping bag made of malt that  I want to curl up in.

Sunday 6/29 – Brooklyn: Part 3

Yes, this is a brewery: Brooklyn style

1257 - VICTORY BREWING WILD DEVIL - A version of their Hop Devil with brettanomyces added. Way different. Doesn't taste like an IPA. Like a wild, tangy farmhouse ale. Sharp and funky. Great stuff.  Thanks RJ!

1258 - OTHER HALF BREWING MONTUEKA PALE ALE – Like corn cobs and wheat.

1259 - OTHER HALF BREWING HOP SHOWERS – Straight ahead IPA, citrusy & bright.

1260 - OTHER HALF BREWING OTHER HALF IPA – West Coast style w/ simcoe hops.

1261 - OTHER HALF BREWING DOUG CASCADIAN DARK IPA – Brewed last December, they sat on a couple kegs and ended up with a well-rounded beer, full mouthfeel, perfect blend of hops and deep roasty malts.

1262 - OTHER HALF BREWING HUP! HUP! HUP! – Belgian style farmhouse ale with a hint of hop tightness.

1263 - OTHER HALF BREWING GALAXY IPA – Clean, crisp, well done.

1264 - OTHER HALF BREWING WHEAT WINE – Like a lighter barley wine, sweet & wheaty, would be great in a winter cabin. Excellent, a real powerhouse.

1265 - THE BRONX BREWERY BRONX PALE ALE – Light amber, malt forward, full mouthfeel, tasty & perfect for hangin’ with mooks from The Bronx, yo.

Monday 6/30 - home

1266 - ANDERSON VALLEY BREWING SPRING HORNIN' - Love Anderson Valley, this is no exception.

1267 - EVIL TWIN FREUDIAN SLIP - Freakishly delicious. Full, well-rounded, sweet and decadent barleywine.

Tuesday 7/1 - home

1268 - SAN MIGUEL BREWERY RED HORSE BEER - My wife found this at the 99 Cent Store. Not as horrific as I was expecting. Like Bud, except the Philippines version.

1269 - DE STRUISE BROUWERS TSJEESES - Smells and tastes like liquefied walnuts.

Wednesday 7/2 – at the Hollywood Bowl, watching Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers

1270 - EVIL TWIN YANG – Killer imperial IPA.

1271 - SMUTTYNOSE SHOALS PALE ALE - Roasty grain and malt forward, fab on a summer's eve waiting for Steve Martin

1272 - BEACHWOOD BREWING STILL LIFE SMOKED STOUT - Rich milky and smoky stout, this is exactly what I need on a perfect summer nite @ the Bowl

1273 - CLOWN SHOES SWAGGER HOPPY RED LAGER - Still at the Bowl, so freakin good, crisp and hoppy red

Thursday 7/3 – Vendome new release tasting and a few at home

1274 - BELCHING BEAVER ME SO HONEY – A honey wheat ale that is not overly sweet, thankfully. The description says “wild flowers & cloves”, but I’m not getting any of that. Decent, and easy drinking.

1275 - NEW BELGIUM / 3 FLOYDS COLLABORATION GRATZER ALE – An oak smoked wheat ale which actually tastes a lot like an old ashtray, with a lingering Marlboro finish. 

1276 - DESCHUTES BREWERY NOT THE STOIC – Whoa! Rich and thick as molasses. Superior!

1277 - DOUBLE MOUNTAIN CLUSTER SINGLE HOP IPA – Skunky, buttery, and good.

1278 - BEACHWOOD/HERETIC/STONE COLLABORATION UNAPOLOGETIC IPA – Nice combo of citrus depth and hoppy bite.

1279 - BIG SKY BREWING SUMMER HONEY ALE – Not necessary.

1280 - ANDERSON VALLEY BREWING SUMMER SOLSTICE – Overly sweet & caramelly, almost headed towards barleywine territory.

1281 - ALE INDUSTRIES RYE'D PIPER – I’m a sucker for anything rye related. I don’t love this. It’s OK, but I’d never buy it again.

Friday 7/4 – The Fourth at home with friends

1282 - UINTA BREWING MONKSHINE – A standout Belgian style golden ale, easy drinking, this could easily be my everyday beer.

1283 – ALASKAN BREWING SUMMER ALE – Kolsch style, wheaty & mildly malty, can’t complain, this is a solid, accessible beer.

1284 - WARKA LAGER - Not nearly as bad as I was expecting, pretty decent generic Polish lager.

1285 - EPIC BREWING RIO'S ROMPIN' RYE BEER - Excellent, one of the best rye beers on the market, liquified rye bread with lemon.

"We are wild and crazy guys!"

Saturday 7/5 – Torrance, Redondo, Hermosa Beach mini beer tour

1286 - ABSOLUTION BREWING WANDERING POSSESSED COCONUT PORTER - Decent, one of the better ones, one of three I sort of liked. We had 10 samplers, one I forgot I had already tried at the SD Int'l Beer Fest. I really want to support independent brewers, especially locals. Absolution has a great facility & everything in place to be a contender, but their beers across the board are bland, watery, and lacking depth. I hope they get an experienced brewmaster in-house to turn this ship around.

1287 - ABSOLUTION BREWING HOLY COW MILK STOUT - Fair.

1288 - ABSOLUTION BREWING POSSESSED PORTER - Pretty good, like a lighter English style porter.

1289 - ABSOLUTION BREWING FALLEN ARCHANGEL IPA - Not a good IPA.

1290 - ABSOLUTION BREWING THE WICKED DOUBLE IPA - Fair, one of their "better" brews

1291 - ABSOLUTION BREWING LIL RED ANGEL SESSION RED IPA - No.

1292 - ABSOLUTION BREWING LIL ANGEL SESSION IPA - No.

1293 - ABSOLUTION BREWING CLOISTERED RED - No.

1294 - ABSOLUTION BREWING PENANCE PALE - No.

1295 - ALESMITH BREWING SPEEDWAY STOUT - Enjoyed it with brunch on Redondo Beach Pier.  I want to make love to this beer.

1296 - ABIGAILE BREWERY ILLUMINATI PILS - This place has out of place punk themed artwork, and the menu descriptions are straight out of the Guy Fieri School Of Douchebaggery, but their beer is superior and well worth the trip, especially considering I've rarely seen their brews on tap outside of the restaurant in Hermosa Beach. 

1297 - ABIGAILE BREWERY HOPS N RYE - Lighter mix of both, easy drinking, highly carbonated, burp inducing.

1298 - ABIGAILE BREWERY CACOPHONY IPA - Incredible hop bomb, slightly sweet, skunky and citrusy.

1299 - ABIGAILE BREWERY THE SYNERGIST BELGIAN DUBBEL - A dark and delicious Belgian style dubbel, malty and deeply rich.

1300 - KING HARBOR BREWING THE QUEST EL DORADO - Mellow, well-balanced pale with El Dorado hops.

1301 - KING HARBOR BREWING THE QUEST HALLERTAU BLANC - Really crispy grain-heavy finish, delish!

1302 - KING HARBOR BREWING CALIFORNIA SAISON - Funky farmhouse ale, with a hint of curry.

1303 - KING HARBOR BREWING ABEL BROWN - Roasty perfection.

1304 - KING HARBOR BREWING CASKABEL WITH CHIPOTLE ON CASK - Brown ale with chipotle added, on cask, really nice, I'm a sucker for chile beers these days, this is no exception, well rounded.

1305 - MONKISH BREWING ANOMALY – Dark, strong ale, perfection.

1306 - MONKISH BREWING SHAOLIN FIST – A spiced dubbel, would be better around the Holidays.

1307 - MONKISH BREWING SEME DELLA VITA – Belgian style tripel with pistachios & vanilla beans, sounds odd, but damn good.

1308 - MONKISH BREWING ST. SIMCOE – All simcoe hops in a citrusy pale.

1309 - MONKISH BREWING ST. LIBERTY – All liberty hops in a dry hopped pale.

1310 - MONKISH BREWING SAISON DE LILAH – Saison with lavender, sounds super frou-frou, but it’s tasty. No, really.

1311 - MONKISH BREWING POUR TOI – Pour moi? C’est bon! Well rounded pale ale.  Monkish knows what the hell they’re doing, it turns out.