The beer pictured above was brewed by Ladyface. It used lamill coffee to give it an amazing aroma. The taste was slight java. It was quiet refreshing on a hot day in LA.

Keep up the good work Ladyface !!!!

Baseball - Hangar 24 Pilsner

Vacations mean something different to each and every person. It is a time to kick back. Time to do what one enjoys the most. Taking a break from the mundane everyday tasks one does, makes us chose to do something really memorable. With that in mind, holidays or vacations is an opportunity for me to visit craft breweries that I would not normally get a chance to stop in.

A trip to Ireland, allowed me the opportunity to visit St. Charles Gate. Venturing into the world of Guinness; I was able to look behind the curtain, so to speak. Seeing and learning the process while sampling the brew along the route. Yes the added bonus was the views from the brewery’s bar at the top.

San Diego travels had me asking my best bud, his input on which place to visit. Many venues in Miramar (yes top gun territory) were visited. Petco Park area (yes where the Padres play) was another area explored for its variety of breweries.

Prague is the destination of a lifetime. It is where I definitely want to go to. The sights of palaces and museums do have an interest for me. However with all do honesty, it is the beer Mecca for me. Traveling does mean there are beers to be quaffed and breweries to be toured.

The reasons for putting beer places into the itinerary are a few. One is that we like to experience how beer is made in different places. Education is important. Learning how the beer is brewed enhances are future tastings. A second is that we have something in common with the folks that frequent taprooms. We can then strike up a conversation which leads to finding out about the town being visited. A third would be that beer enhances the trip!

May all your voyages be with those that matter the most to you. Also there is nothing more meaningful then sharing a brew or two with them.

Yo Ho Ho.

A couple of biers that I was able to quaff on my voyage from Palm Desert to The People’s Republic.

Baseball

This is a nice and refreshing Pilsner. Delicious on a hot day.

Experimental IPA

Not to hoppy. Really enjoyable while sitting on the patio with the misters on.

As you may know

Hangar 24 is a good rest stop!!

It was that time of  year, Eagle Rock Brewery had their Session Fest. All biers brewed by folks who work at the brewery. Light in ABV and very flavourful.

The brews are sure to go quickly. If you get a chance swing by the taproom and sample what you can. Put it on your calendar now for next year. Surely you won’t want to miss this event.

As always thanks for taking the time to read and supporting craft beer.

Yo Ho Ho

This is a flight of all the beers brewed by Hillcrest Brewing Company.

Located in San Diego, CA

1) U-Haul Hefewesizen

2) Perle Necklace Pale-Ale

3) Crotch Rocket Irish Red

4) Lucy Ale American Brown

5) Hoppy Endings IPA

6) Brain Lubricant IIPA

7) Banana Hammock Scotch Ale

8) Long And Stout

U-Hawl was quiet the hef. It ended on a fruity note. I am told that the beer mimosa is made with this and is something to be tried.

Lucy Ale American Brown is malty. Finishes with notes of nuttyiness.

Brian Lubricant is mild hoppy. Ends with caramel. My favorite of the night.

All these beers are very good. 

Set sail for more destinations.

Yo Ho Ho

IT’S THAT TIME OF Y EAR !!!!!

Darts Away IPA was had at this wonderful event.

It was nice and hoppy with good citrus notes and a bit of grapefruit on the backend.

Cheers to Tony’s Darts Away !!!

Sunset Beer Company had a few beers on tap from Ommegang. Inspired by the hit show on HBO, GAME OF THRONES, there were a couple of brews in it’s honour. Iron Throne was one of them. The bier in the picture is a Hennipen Farmhouse Saison. Season 3 of GAME OF THRONES begins this week. Enjoy the show with the beer !!!

*a side note, if you are planning on going to Sunset Beer Company, check to see if the Dodgers are playing and plan accordingly.

Yes folks here it is, the anticipated Hammerhead No. 04. Otherwise known as the 2013 Edition. It is true, Cap’n is partial to biers brewed in barrels. Hanger 24 is another of Cap’ns favourite craft breweries. Easter weekend was no exception for me to stop here. Of course the release of this made it that much more enjoyable.

One can taste the spices and yes more bourbon barrel they rye whiskey barrel. Not as hoppy as you might imagine with the (4) different hops involved. A recommendation is to sip rather than down this bier, Also, one should wait til it is room temperature as opposed to putting in the refrigerator,.

As always, thanks for taking the time to read this blog.

Yo Ho Ho.

Recently, I had the unique opportunity to visit here: Pipe Dream Brewery. It is situated in THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC. Perhaps my bias shows, as this is my hood. A wonderful Saturday was spent at this location. Enjoying good quality brews along with entertaining and educating conversation.

The beers that were on tap are as follows:

Pipe Dream Pale

TaHoBa - nice honey with tangerine flavours

PDB/LAAW Collab Brown

Gams-Bart - Roggenbier

Lievre Noire - farmhouse stout

Mr. Peabody’s Elixer - smooth triple * my favorite of the day

The Black Dahlia - Belgian Dark Strong which to my tastes was a bit off

El Santo - amber ale with agave extract, nice mixture of flavors.

Looking forward to when Pipe Dream Brewery is able to open it’s doors to the public.

May the brewers keep brewing the good stuff!!

Sean Inman, who is pictured above, is a renowned craft beer blogger in the LA area. His column Brew & You, can be read every week in the FOOD GPS. Friday was his birthday. To commemorate that occasion, I elected to be his designated driver on a road trip to San Diego. Our itinerary consisted of a few breweries that have not made it to the Los Angeles area as of yet. My post here will be the briefest of descriptions, as I am sure Sean will write in more detail. It goes without saying that his blogging is much better written than mine. 

We started out from the Los Angeles area at 10:00am. Traffic moved well along the 5 and we made a stop and a view point just south of San Onofre. It took just over two hours to reach our first destination. White Labs. It is quiet a novel idea what is done there. One brew is made with different yeast strands. Sampling them, gives a better understanding how each strand tastes. Below is a picture of the drafts which are labeled according to the yeast.

Next was HESS. We are not sure if it has a name change from HESS to Mike HESS or Mike Hess to HESS. Signage has both. A sampler consists of four brews and you get to keep the glass. In true Mardi Gras spirit, the glass is done in purple and gold. It is mentioned, since I have yet to come across a glass with that colour scheme. An expansion of the breweries is in the works, drawings were posted in this industrial site. 

Onward to Rough Draft. The facility is quiet large. Ample sitting places in side and the bar goes the length of the warehouse. Name of the brews are quite creative. Also they do sell a few in bottles. Dare I mention though that this was the least favourite of the venues visited. 

The last port of call was GREEN FLASH BREWING. I am sure most of you are familiar with this fine brewery. The warehouse is HUGE. Quiet a site to behold. Well worth a day alone to sample all these noteworthy brews. 

No trip down south would be complete if one does not stop at PIZZA PORT. Many locations along the route, so you can decide based upon ones timing and traffic conditions. Yes you must get a pizza here. 

Lastly a heartfelt HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN AND MANY THANKS FOR YOUR EDUCATING US WITH REGARDS TO CRAFT BEER.

YO HO HO !!