February 2012
3 posts
TAPS @ Congregation Ale House - Pasadena
TAPS is located in Brea, CA. Having enjoyed a few of the beers they brew, I ventured to Congregation Ale House in Pasadena that had the brewmaster with some beers there. Sampling quiet a few, was very enjoyable.
One should try a wide range of their beers. Pale Ale, cream ale, lager, IPA and so forth, the selection is wide. Take in the aromas and tastes. All are clean tasting and crisp in...
TAPS @ Congregation Ale House - Pasadena
TAPS is located in Brea, CA. Having enjoyed a few of the beers they brew, I ventured to Congregation Ale House in Pasadena that had the brewmaster with some beers there. Sampling quiet a few, was very enjoyable.
One should try a wide range of their beers. Pale Ale, cream ale, lager, IPA and so forth, the selection is wide. Take in the aromas and tastes. All are clean tasting and crisp in...
Citra
Recently I had the opportunity and pleasure of going to the El Segundo Brewing Company Tap Room. Since I reside on the ‘westside’ - for those of you who know of southern California, understand this term; it was not a difficult journey. The weather was warm for a winter day and the sun was shining. All signs that this would be a great day. One whiff of the above beer proved this...
January 2012
2 posts
No Caption Needed!
Got to love all things Orange and Blue!!
Welcome 2012
HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SAFE NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL !!!
It has come to my attention that The Blue Palms located in Hollywood, California ‘might’ be closing soon. I ventured there with my beer buddy to enjoy perhaps one last brew at this pub. Being metro close, if it does close, will be missed by us for this mere fact alone.
Now onto the beer. Yes I know I am repetitive. Enjoying...
December 2011
3 posts
End Of Year Blog
Realizing that this is basically a bier blog; at the end of the year, Cap’n gets a bit melancholy. Dare one say ‘retrospective’ over the past 12 months. Now that is out of the way….
It is fair to say 2011 was not one of Cap’ns finest years. In fact, it probably falls in the bottom 5. On that note, Cap’n truly asks for forgiveness from those he wronged...
Beer In Rancho Santa Margarita
It may seem difficult to fathom; however, there is a wonderful brewery located in Rancho Santa Margarita! It is Cismontane Brewing. I have blogged about this brewery before; yet I enjoy it so much, that I often make the trip from Santa Monica California south to the brewery. Usually I travel with my beer buddy Sean Inman. However, this voyage was without him. I did bring back the newly bottled...
Holiday Ales
It seems that when this time of year approaches, many folks think of big, bold, hearty beers to toast in the holiday season. Last year (2010) I spent much time looking for Schmaltz’s Holiday Gift Pack, to no avail. Perhaps I will find it this year, but I won’t go out of my way looking for it. Having jumped into the holiday ale season this year (2011), I traveled to Portland, Oregon....
November 2011
3 posts
Alaska Canned Beer
Skilak Scottish Ale - Kenai River, Soldotina, Alaska. 5.3%
Now after visiting Alaska a few times, I must confess that it is one of my favorite places to ‘get away from it all’. It has always been considered the last of the great frontiers, at least by me. I had an opportunity to try this beer, as my beer drinking buddy (First Maat) was at the Reno, Canned Beer Festival and...
Premiere
Premiere
Bourbon Barrel Aged Belgian Golden Strong 10.4%
Pours yellow, with a big fruity aroma. taste of bourbon notes with vanilla, orange, sweet pale malt, slight raisins and apricot as well. It was a good bier to have while the weather in southern California is changing from warm to rainy to cold during the end of daylight savings time.
Shortly as in a few weeks time, Cap’n shall...
Growler From Golden Road Brewing
*
Fortunately in my neck of the woods, well at least my ‘working’ neck of the woods; is a new brewery. I blogged about this last time. It is called Golden Road. Recently, growlers (as pictured above) are available. The cost is a mere $10. The price includes the container and beer. Choice of IPA Point The Way or the Hefeweizen. Refill is only $6. Hours for refills are convenient for...
October 2011
1 post
Golden Road Brewing
Recently I had the opportunity to sample some brand new beers in the Southern California area. 38 Degrees had an inaugural keg of Golden Road Brewing’s IPA and Hefeweizen. The two of which are pictured above.
Point The Way IPA
5.2% hoppy, airy, light, fizzy on the back-end. as it coats the tongue, it becomes more citrus.
Golden Road Hefeweizen
6.2% organic fruit, makes it a...
September 2011
1 post
Beer Art
Stone Brewing
The Gargoyle is a fascinating icon. Stone Brewing uses it as the basis for it’s artwork. The reason it is used; which is on Stone’s website, states ’ a fearsome stone figure that has power to ward off evil spirits’. It is a menacing looking, at least to me, figure. Also it makes one look tough while holding a bottle of say arrogant bastard with this picture...
August 2011
2 posts
Summertime Part 2 of 2
Residing in southern California, in an area referred to as the westside; the beach plays a big part in my life. One may think this ironical; however, recently traveled to Hollywood and wound up at The Blue Palms where an event was taking place. The theme was ‘the beach’. Plastic pails with shovels adorned the tables. Straw beach hats were on the chairs and multi-coloured beach balls...
Summertime Part 1 of 2
Just the mention of that word (Summertime) conjures up images of baseball, rollerblading, volleyball, bar b ques, games of capture the flag, kickball and of course BEER. The type of beer that comes to mind is IPA. Cool, light hops, citrus: all make this refreshing drink the style of choice in 80+ degree weather.
Traveling to Korea town; I used Metro. Boarding at the Universal Station, taking the...
July 2011
4 posts
Heretic
Living in Southern California, one has to venture out to find craft beer. True the area is getting more plentiful in the venues that offer craft beer; however, it still has a long way to go to catch up with say Portland, Or. One Thursday evening found First Maat and myself sailing to Agoura, California. Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie is where we landed. The fine folks from Heretic Brewing were...
Rhinoceros Barleywine - Style Ale
Telegraph Brewing Company has produced a barleywine with rye malt.
It is called Rhinoceros. The Santa Barbara brewery did a fine job with this.
Aroma of hops, smooth, creamy texture as it coats the tongue, almost vanillish. nice foamy head. It finished with a bitter-sweetness that hangs on the palette. The rye malt makes it a unique taste. It’s big and bold since it is 9.8%. Keep it...
Blacki
Recently I had the opportunity to taste a black ipa from the Eagle Rock Brewery.
A limited supply was brewed of this beer called:
Blacki
dark in colour, roasted, malty taste, hoppy yet not overly hoppy. 7.2%
ERB has done a most excellent job in brewing this. They have been opened for about 18 months now in the city of Los Angeles. Helping them keep their license; please click on this link...
REDEMPTION
Being brutally honest; I recall the first time trying beers from “Hair Of The Dog”. This was early on in my pre-beer geekiness years. Putting the bottle to my mouth, i got a whiff of an aroma and combined with the taste made me cough, if not gag, quiet a bit. Needless to say that I stayed away from all things related to “Hair Of The Dog”.
Years later, after the maturity...
June 2011
2 posts
Beer Belly
Hat’s off to Beer Belly, a new beer/restaurant that has opened in Los Angeles, California. It is located in Korea town. Conveniently situated at 532 S. western Avenue. Eco Friendly, the venue has it’s own parking lot. One does not need to waste gas looking for a place to park. Inside you will be calmed by the wood paneled walls. The chairs are made of recycled plastic coke...
Sierra Nevada Night @ SteingartenLA
StengartenLA in West Los Angeles is a relatively new drinking/eating establishment. Tuesday is when a brewery brings some special beers in to try. Sierra Nevada was the highlighted brewery recently. Three of the beers that were tried are as follows:
1) Torpedo on Cask:
7.2%
This is a rare find. dry fruit, very smooth with the emphasis on smooth, slight bitterness on the back end.
2)...
May 2011
2 posts
Tasting of Some Hard To Get Imperial Stouts
Trying to increase my beer geek status, my good friend had informed me of a rare imperial stout tasting. The Yard in Santa Monica was the venue. One of the great things about this was that it’s in my hood. Close to the beach, makes it that much more enjoyable to sample beer at, since the cool ocean breezes keeps the temperature mild.
Imperial Stouts, in my opinion, are bold, dark and...
Beer and Cheese Pairing
A recent voyage found myself sailing to Glendale, CA. where I joined with my Beer Geek Cohort. Together, we went to the Eagle Rock Cheese shop and obtained some Stilton, dunbarton cheddar and Humboldt frog. Cap’n Cork Bottleshop was the next stop on the journey. Each of us purchased three beers to try with the cheeses.
The first cheese we sampled was the stilton.
Side note - this is one...
April 2011
2 posts
SoCal Brewing
The Blue Palms in Hollywood, CA had a couple of beers from SoCal Brewing. Two which were brought and tasted are as follows:
1) Seismic IPA 6.7%
3 types of hops and liquid hops which added a little bitter on the back end.
cool, clean and crisp.
2) Red Carpet Ale 5.9%
Slight hops, watery, perhaps a slight tea taste.
Enhanced was the grilled cheese sandwich that was eaten.
Until next...
THE YARD Beer Taste Wednesday
Santa Monica, CA. A recent voyage to The Yard, First Maat and I came upon an event called Beer Taste Wednesday. We participated in this. The Bruery are the ones that were sampled.
1) Saison De Lente 6.5%
slight hoppy and smooth
2) 7 Grain Saison 5%
sour and fizzy
3) Loakal Red 6.9%
creamier on tap (I have a few bottles)
light caramel
4) Black Tuesday
bourbonish
5) Chocolate Rain...
March 2011
3 posts
Can You Say HOPS???!!!
Sierra Nevada Hoptimum:
The enjoyable label is the first thing that is eye catching. Gives a different meaning to the phrase Hop-head. Green is an appropriate colour.
One must enjoy HOPS to trully appreciate this beer. It is one of a kind.Citrus overtones. Hits you hard with the aroma then the taste. Just one is plenty.
Enjoy!
Yo Ho Ho
Hebrew Vertical Jewbelation
Fortunately I have a very good friend who was kind enough to get me this:
Yes it is Hebrew’s Vertical Jewbelation.
It is brewed by Schmalts Brewing Company. A blend of all seven recipes of Jewbelation aged in Sazerac 6 year rye whiskey barrels. The boldness of this beer is remarkable. First you notice it pours dark as in BLACK. Then the aroma is a whisky scent. Roasted malts were on...
SideBar
A recent voyage had me docking at SideBar. It is a newly opened venue in Glendale, CA. Located just off GlenOaks Blvd.
The beer selection is top notch. Many on draft as well as bottles are available. The ambiance is subtle and you can actually hold a conversation with the person sitting next to you!
Happy Hour prices are not to be missed. The hours of 6 - 8pm M-F, has inexpensive drafts and well...
February 2011
3 posts
Beer Hunter
A recent holiday weekend, Presidents Day, found me on my voyage to Palm Desert. Being at this sports pub and grill before, I definitely make it a point to visit each time I am in the neighborhood. Large screen televisions with all the sporting events on. Foosball game adorns the restaurant as well. Lost of sport paraphernalia on the walls and hanging from the ceiling.
The beer list is...
New Beers @ Toluca Lake Vendome 1/22/11
Ten dollars gets one entry to this beer tasting event. It is a good deal, as one samples fifteen beers. The list comprised of there newest beers. Ones that were obtained since the first of 2011.
I shall comment on three that were enjoyed. They are as follows:
1) Great Divide Belgica Ale - 7.2%
Great Divide is a wonderful brewery. This was quiet a nice Belgium pilsner
2) Lagunitas Hairy...
Beer Bar
It’s a bit funny to voyage to a place called “Beer Bar”, located in Silverlake. No sign post has the name on it at the venue. One must look for the address; 2835 Sunset Blvd. Plenty of bottles of beer line the wall behind the bar. A line of taps have different beers as well. Happy Hour menu had fried freakin chicken. It included fried okra and backed beans. Antlers adorned the...
January 2011
2 posts
Speakeasy Night @ The Blue Palms
The event was called for 6:00pm. Every time one bought a speakeasy beer, one was given a raffle ticket. A trip to Sn Francisco Beer Week was to be the grand prize. Beer in bottles was given as well.
The following (3) three beers were sampled.
1) THE DON
tripple IPA, citrus hops, grapefruit and spices.
2) speakeasy ‘09 brewer’s reserve
barrel aged, whisky barrel, smooth alcohol...
The Bruery Provisions
A recent voyage landed me and First Maat in Orange County, Ca. Yes this is a town that I would not venture into, unless there was a very special reason. The Bruery Provisions is one of those special reasons and being with First Maat, amplifies that.
THE ORANGE IS IN HONOR OF THE OUTBACK BOWL CHAMPIONS!!!
GO GATORS!!!!!!!!!
Sierra Nevada Celebration, Craftsman Holiday Ale, Telegraph Winter...
November 2010
1 post
Firestone Walker Vertical Anniversary Tasting
X, XI, XII, XIII & IVX
Recently I had the pleasure of participating in a vertical anniversary tasting of Firestone Walker Beers. Accompanying First Maat, we boarded the Metro at Universal City Station. Departing at Hollywood and Vine, we walked a couple of blocks to the Blue Palms Brew House. The anniversary beers are all barrel aged blended releases.
In full disclosure, Cap’n is...
October 2010
1 post
The Great Divide
A recent drinking adventure found me trying brews from The Great Divide.
Without much fanfare here is my short and brief critique.
1) Yeti
coffee overtones, Russian imperial stout, 9.5% dark, roasted flavour.
2) Titan IPA
mild citrus, light hops, an American IPA 6.1%
3) Hades
caramel syrup, Belgian strong pale ale 7.8%
4) Hercules
double imperial IPA, grapefruit, citrus and hops....
September 2010
0 posts
HANGAR 24
A voyage was made this past weekend to the port of Hangar 24. It is located in Redlands , CA. Now I must admit that I first tried a beer from this brewery at a beer festival which was closer to my home. It was called Orange Wheat. It was delicious. After reading the Session #43 Blog, I wanted to visit this brewery which was about an hour from my home. Along with First Maat, we drove to...
August 2010
5 posts
PDX BIER TASTING
Recently I had the opportunity to visit Portland, Oregon. It was a wonderful trip. Trying many of the biers that are actually brewed at the local breweries there. A person whom I don’t say enough good things about, was in Portland, Oregon recently as well. He brought back some bottles from the local breweries there and had a tasting at his abode. The following is a list of what I tried along...
Stone 14th Anniversary Celebration
A recent Saturday afternoon, I found myself bound for northern San Diego. It was California State University San Marcos where I landed. The 14th Anniversary Celebration and Invitational Beer Festival put on by Stone Brewery, was occurring.
One could not ask for a better day. The sun was shinning, not extremely warm and the lines were not intolerable. Upon receiving my bracelet with the ten...
Home Brew Club 2010 Event
Recently I had the pleasure of attending the Pacific Gravity 2010 Summer Party. Upon entry I was overwhelmed by how many different beers were on tap. The home brewing folks certainly made some interesting concoctions.
The taps were over flowing in quantity. Certainly the mission was to try as many as possible. However I was under a time constraint. Tasting quiet a few: I took notes on 5 which...
Set Sail For Full Sail
The first beer I had that demonstrated taste to me was brewed by Full Sail. Ever since that time I have known that a voyage to the brewery would be mandatory. Recently I made the trip. Flying from Burbank, Ca. to Protland, Or. all I could think of was how much better beer was going to taste straight from its home tap.
After landing in the City of Roses, I was joined by First Maat. Now his...
July 2010
1 post
Eagle Rock Brewery
First and foremost: I am not lost at sea. Realizing that it has been some time since I last blogged, I felt I should post a recent visit to the Eagle Rock Brewery. Accompanied me was First Maat.
Limbo was the brewed bier.
Citra-Hopped Saison 5.4% Pale golden and light hazy. Mango, Pineapple, and Lychee Fruit to the subtle spices of Saison yeast. The addition of Brettanomyces provides a ...
June 2010
1 post
A Cool Sunday Afternoon
Since First Maat was otherwise occupied with domestic stuff, I did not travel this past weekend. Instead I had a nice relaxing day at home. Enjoying a brew while watching TrueBlood. It was very enjoyable having the following while watching the Pilot and second episode of this HBO show.
The bier of choice was from ABita. It is entitled
Abbey Ale
The following is a description that is from the...
May 2010
3 posts
Burbank Voyage
It is the start of Craft Bier Week, so I ventured to a local watering hole and met First Maat. Having docked there first, I ordered and began the wait. It was not long before my bier buddy showed up.
I am partial to Port Brewing biers. The one I had was WipeOut which is an IPA. It is 7% with nice citrus taste. Grapefruit is the predominate flavour. Eye-candy appeal as well as the smell makes...
Italy By Way Of Seal Beach, CA
Fellow travelers in search of bier, let me just say at times one does not need to leave there home port to experience that of another country’s. Case in point: on a recent Saturday afternoon, First Maat and Cap’n traveled to the beach community of Seal Beach, Ca. Realizing this is “Orange County” territory, we put our political differences aside. Sailing the 405 to the 57...
Birthday Biers
Thanks to those of you who were so gracious and presented Cap’n with biers on the anniversary of his birth. I shall blog about them as I taste them and remmember to critique the experience. Pictures shall be inserted as well for those of you who are visually inclined.
1) Saison De Lente
Nice amber colour, caramel taste. Very refreshing. The Bruery brews delectable biers. Recommended...