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 tabs, I walked into the beer venue. The following is a list of the ten that was quaffed.

1) 16th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA

Great Divide Brewing Co. - Aged IPA, nice and molasses coating, smooth, caramel, slight citrus.

2) Maui Cruiser

Maui Brewing Company - Wine characteristics, Chablis? sudsy

3) Saison

Nogne-O - Palette refreshing, wine, citrus.

4) Bam Biere

Jolly Pumpkin - sweet. coat backend, Chablis perhaps.

5) Saison Durango

SKA Brewing Company - true saison, biter on the backend.

6) Black Pearl

Coronado Brewing - Smoke, German hops, dark.

7) Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale

Rogue Ale - Definite IPA, cold citrus refreshing

8) Stone Cali-Belgique IPA

Stone - Grapefruit citrus.

9) Dogfish head/Victory/Stone Saison du BUFF (collaboration)

Saison, sweet

10) Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA w/Boadicea hops.

Cask - smooth vanilla.

Last year was my first time at this event. I thoroughly enjoyed this festival and will continue to support it. Along with my drinking companion we have made the voyage twice now. Totally looking forward to next year as it will be the 15th Anniversary Celebration.

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

Yo ho ho.