Homebrew - Amber Alert

So Mike and I brewed up a new 5 gallon batch. This was our first attempt to keg a beer. It turned out better than expected.

Our goal was to make a typical amber ale. Something kind of close to Alaska's. Going by the age old adage that you need to drink beer while making beer the recipe quickly went out the door once the hop additions started. In my mind the more often you added hos the more balanced it would be. This was also about 3 hours into our session drinking.

When everything was said and done we had at least doubled the necessary hops for the beer by the time we were done. Not like we cared. We love hops. We both agree that at a certain point its overkill, but based on the total volume vs ounces of hops we added it wasn't outrageous. All in all I think we hit around 4 oz or so.

Carbing was interesting. First time kegging tried the force CO2 then roll method. Quickly gave this up when Mikes arms tired. I had a beer in my hand and was unwilling to put it down to help.

After about 3 weeks in keg we couldn't wait any longer. We had an Amber Alert release party. Even my wife liked the beer. That's when you know its good. She's super picky about alcohol. The beer was clear, little to no sediment, and probably came in between 8 and 10%. I drank 4 liters and called it a night.

We will definitely be brewing this one again. We paired it with burgers. In my excitement for everything hoppy I added hop pellets into the meat before making patties. I liked them. The girls however tasted it immediately and commented. I ate two. More for me.

Ballast Point Bourbon Barrel aged Sea Monster Imperial Stout

So Home Brewmart here in San Diego is owned and operated by Ballast PINT Brewing. Mike and I needed to pick up a couple last minute supplies before our next batch of home brew and decided to take advantage of the tasting room in the back. Turns out a 4 oz taster is $1. Not a bad deal.

I decided to try the Bourbon Barrel Aged Sea Monster Stout. This 10% stout tastes ore like bourbon that beer. Never a bad thing, but in this case could be a little over powering. This is definitely not a beer that you would want to drink a bomber of by yourself. The 4 oz taster was enough for me.

Very chocolaty with little to no head from the pour. It may be that the taster glass prevented that. A 4 oz taster, paired with a rich dessert, would be the perfect end to a meal. Something like a cheesecake.

Once you have this don't bother drinking anything after as you will not be able to taste it. The flavor coats your mouth and lingers. I tried a scotch ale after and it tasted like a mild lager.

Dogfish Head - Indian Brown Ale

Dogfish is one of my favorite breweries and rarely misses the mark. The Indian Brown was another example of that.

Getting 99 style points and 98 points overall on Rate Beer is an adequate review of this ale. lately I've been drinking darker beers so this fit the bill exactly for me. A nice brown ale with a kick of hops. Coming in at 50 IBU this wasn't on the hoppy side, but gave it something that turned the super mild brown ale into something a little more interesting.

I often ask the death row question of what would your last beer be? Almost everyday mine changes depending on the weather and what I'm in the mood for. For two weeks I have been wondering how I get more of this beer. Unfortunately it is no distributed to any stores in San Diego. To get this one bottle I had to pack it in my luggage all the way from DC.

It says the appropriate glassware is a dimpled mug. I'm not really sure what a dimple in the mug will add to the flavor, but this was the closest thing we had at the time.

All in all a really good beer. A solid 8.5 or higher. If you can get this year round consider yourself lucky and if your feeling generous send me one.

Port Brewing A.B.L.E.

Pizza Port is one of my favorite places to eat and drink. The lunch special can't be beat. A slice of really good pizza, salad, and a drink for $4.99. For a dollar more you can add a beer. I added their A.B.L.E IPA.

This was a pretty strong IPA. I think it was around 8%. This was definitely a West Coast version of an IPA. It had a huge hop profile. Almost too hoppy. The hops hit in different spots at different degrees. About half way through this beer I wasn't able to taste much. My mouth was coated with tingling citrus notes that overcame all other taste sensations.

With a medium color and the price at a dollar this was a pretty good beer. Definitely not a beer that I would sit down and drink a case of, but if you were gonna have one beer and the pizza you chose had a creamy cheese like the Port OB with Gorgonzola then this would be a perfect pairing to cut the creaminess.

Each Port location brews this infrequently. Please check their website for current tap listings.

Sweetwater Brewing Company

Whenever I'm in Atlanta I try to take a pin off of the jumping rout handle. Sweetwater Brewing located in a suburb of the ATL does a pretty good pint. I really enjoy their Brown. It's mid in the color spectrum with a ton of flavor. This is an easy beer to pair food with as it crosses several lines. Extremely versatile.

I realized as I was flying out that I had missed my opportunity to sample Sweetwater. Don't worry I had been trying loads of other new beers. Not to be superstitious or anything, but felt like even though I didn't feel well I still needed a pint before I took off.

I tried their IPA. It's clean and refreshing. A sessionable beer. Balanced the whole way through with a little hop kicker on the backside. Lighter in color than a lot of other IPA's, but that isn't a bad thing. The hops really helped with the terrible burrito I had at the airport.

I'd give it a 8. For what it was it was really good. I looked at their website and they aren't promising hop crushing flavor. Lately I have noticed that a lot of breweries throw in a ton of hops. I love hops don't get me wrong, but at a certain point I fell like they do it to cover up the fact that they can't develop good enough recipes to let the grain bill shine through. Good to see some people just make tasty beer that doesn't over power the pallate.

Smuttynose IPA

I was back east in January and bought a suitcase full of beer I can't get in CA. While sitting at the Dogfish brew pub the people next to me started discussing West Coast IPA's, several of which came from San Diego. I chimed in. Most of the discussion was related to recent price increases and Green Flash's new 4 pack of bottles for the same price as their 6 pack.

The topic then turned to affordable hoppy beers. Smuttynose came up pretty quick. I had never even heard of it. When the group realized I had never tasted this brew it was like the DJ stopped playing music instantly. They all froze. Upon leaving the pub I figured I had to stop and grab a bottle. At the local liquor store a 22 oz bomber was $1.99. I figured it was mis-labelled but it wasn't. Could a truly good beer be available for $2?

This beer is good. Well balanced. Good hop flavor. It's very reminiscent of a West Coast, kick you in the face, hoppy IPA. Yes, it is a tremendous value. No, they do not filter very well. The beer had sediment chunks. I don't care. When I home brew this happens. Just the way it goes. I didn't expect it with a commercial outfit, but it was a solid beer none the less. Very well balanced. A lot of times with beers of this style you get a punch somewhere in the taste, but this was clean and finished with a citrus tingle in your mouth. It had the right amount of malts to hops to balance the beer out nicely. A very drinkable IPA. Almost a session beer.

Based on price, flavor, etc this is a solid 7. If I find myself back east soon I will definitely try their other beers.

Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast

The name says it all. You would imagine that the Gods finally saw fit to grace us with a beverage that isn't sweet and bubbly to consume when you first wake up in the morning. I mean, is it too much to ask for a drink I can have first thing that doesn't come in ridiculous glassware and holds enough volume to feel like my 5+ dollars was worth it.

Well the boys over at Mikkeller did just that. I've been on a dark beer kick lately. Stouts, porters, black lagers, black IPA's, whatever... This was clearly one of the best I have ever had. Super rick notes of chocolate and coffee. Hot summer day camping and you don't want a coffee, this is your beer. This would also go with almost any decadent dessert.

It is a little pricey. Mikkeller typically doesn't make cheap beers, but at $13 for the bottle it's definitely worth a try. Not a beer your going to sit down and drink all day, but splitting it with someone would be a good start to the day.

Brick Stone Pub - Atlanta, GA

The other bar I had to hit based on reviews was the Brick Stone Pub. I've been to London a couple times. I've tried supposed "Pubs" in the US. This is by far the one holding it down. Super traditional. Great beers on tap. I had to grab a quick bit so why not try a German Kolsch. Didn't recognize the brand, but it was hot figured this would be satisfying. It didn't disappoint.

Reissdorf Kolsch only received 61 points on Rate Beer. Not super surprising as they favor the hoppy. Not much to say. It is a clean light flavored beer. So what did I do? I paired it with a spicy Souther New Brunswick Stew. Which was also really good. Got out for $12. If your in Decautur, GA go to this place versus the Square Pub. I poked my head in that place and a couple near it and they were just a bunch of phonies. Hit this place. you wont be disappointed.

The Porter - Atlanta, GA

So work dropped me in Atlanta last week. Hit up The Porter based on a Beer Advocate recommendation and it didn't disappoint. Outside a bunch of old picnic tables had a good crowd and inside it just looked like a long narrow hallway with a bar. I found a much larger seating area in the back once I hit the restroom. Needless to say their beer list was extensive and very well organized.

Beer #1 - Mikkeller Cascade Single Hop IPA. I'm a huge Mikkeller fan. I haven't had a bad beer from these guys. This one rated a 94 on Rate Beer and I'd say that may be a bit low. All around very balanced with a smack of in your face hops. I did notice they do single hop IPA's. This seems to be a new trend. Brewdog did the same thing. brewed 4 beers. Same recipe. Just changed out the hops. Gives you an idea what the hop flavor profile contributes to the overall beer.

Beer # 2 - The Espresso Oak Aged Yetti by Great

Divide Brewing Company. This was extreme. Huge

coffee flavor. Well balanced. Good aroma. I would definitely drink this again. Amazing on tap. I do worry that out of the bottle wouldn't be as good. Plus the pint was $5 and the bottle goes for at least $10.

At this point I figured I should eat. The Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich looked good. It was cheap. I figured it would be a good snack. 1. It was amazing. 2. It was huge. Served with cheese and bacon on a pretzel roll. So good.

OB Noodle House - Firehouse Pale Ale

I can't say enough about this place. Food is good. People are nice. Next to the beach. When I call they reserve me a table and usually hook me up with some sort of deal. Without all of that I would still go there. They have $1 drafts everyday of the week, 11 am to 6pm. Most of the time Firehouse Pale Ale is it. This is a good beer. Mild Ale. Probably CA yeast strain. Good flavor, mellow, well balanced. More importantly a Pale that I can session drink. Overall pretty good beer. Available at most grocery and liquor stores in San Diego. $6.99 a six pack is common.

Pliny The Younger

Its that time of the year. Pliny comes to town. In past years I have tried to get it.

Tried being the key word. People talk about Younger like they talk about their dead heroes. The same sort of respect. Sometimes you hear about a beer like this and it's all hype. I was praying this wasn't the case. I am a huge fan of Elder. It's a good beer. I really haven't had a beer from Russian River that wasn't good.

The game plan was to go to Blind Lady Ale House around 4. Wait in lin

e till 5 to ensure we get it. At 3:30 Mike called. Younger was being released at San Diego Brew Co at 4. I left work instantly. Grabbed Mike and was there when they started pouring. I was number 25 in line. After waiting for my number to be called I got it. The elusive Younger. It was Pretty.

Beer fanatics are an odd breed. Some are business professionals and dress accordingly. Others look to be unemployed or homeless. Some are male. Some are female. Some keep to themselves and in the case of Karen, who we met after receiving our pints was very much outgoing. So much so she came by to discuss prior years releases with us after being repeatedly told that I had never had it. She had also just come from Alpine Brewing's release of Exponential Hoppyness. Needless to say she was drunk and things got awkward.

We savored as quickly as we could and at 4:30 headed over to Blind Lady. Needless to say the line went out the door and around the building and this was 30 minutes before they opened.

What made Blind Lady special was that for $11 you got a glass of Elder and a glass of Younger side by side. It only made you appreciate it all that more. They did serve it in Automatic Brewing glasses.

I am a big stickler for appropriate glassware for the beer. Elder nor Younger is their beer. Serve it in BLAH glasses or non-logo glassware. But I digress.

Younger really is as good as the hype made it to be. I know for fact that even had having it and going to great lengths to get it I will do it again next year.

it is the most balanced 11% beer I have tried. There isn't a hint of alcohol to it. They balance the grins with the hops perfectly to mellow it all out. It is clearly a marvel in brewer dedication.

Oskar Blues - Old Chubb

I had seen this one in cans a lot. Never on tap. Hit up the new Bubb's Dive by PETCO Park the other day. it was the beer of the day. A little pricey at $5.75 a pint but as it turns out someone else picked up the tab so I was OK with it.

This is probably the best Scottish Ale I have ever tried. Much better that the mass marketed ones I had previously tried. If I've had better, I can't remember them.

What was surprising about this beer was the overall smoothness. Balanced throughout.

I will warn you that this is an extremely heavy beer. Definitely not meant for a serious session. This beer can be found at most Ralph's and definitely Bevmo.

Check out the pic at the top. Yeah, its February and were sitting on the patio. Gotta love San Diego winters.

Great Beer, Natalie Portman, and a Big Sur Wedding

In August we went to Mike and Anissas wedding in Big Sur. I love the idea of a kind of camping wedding. You get to bring a ton of great beer, drink all you can at the wedding, then tackle your beer.

2010 was the year of Rye beers. The number of entries into the World Beer whatever's quadrupled from 2009. I went with Bear Republic's.

One word. Tasty. You like IPA's. This is for you. Great IPA taste with a little something extra. The 4 pack didn't last long.It is a little on the pricier side at like $10.99 but your on vacation. On vacation this is a great deal. On vacation you can drink this in the shower and if you get grief from anyone. I mean anyone just tell them your on vacation.

I also bought the dogfish Festina Pech

e. Name was a topic of conversation. A lot more

after we had drank a lot of them which happened to be after a groomsmen scotch tasting. Thanks again for that one Mike. Scotch is so good. Once again a pricey, but well worth it 4 pack. To be honest its malt liquor with peach syrup. Its good. Great for a day at a river where its 110 degrees. Try it. Its a seasonal so you probably wont find it now. If you do don't buy it. Its old.

My last purchase was the mixed box of Firestone Beers. Hers a pic

of a cute girl in a dress with the beers we got. I don't know her. Found the image online someplace. Shes cute though so I figured it wouldn't hurt. Firestone makes great beers. Really good Pales, and anything in a barr

el is usually a safe bet. DBA is by far my favorite regular release. If you haven't had it. Get it. 12 pack mixed box $11.99 at Bevmo. Great Value. For me its all about the balance. I would have figured that the Pale Ale woul

d be the easiest to drink but it really wasn't the case. Go for the DBA.

The wedding reception was held at the Big Sur Bakery. Awesome place. Food was killer. Liked it so much we went back the next day for lunch. Sat on the patio on a natural log picnic bench. I looked up at Julie and sitting next to her was Natalie Portman. The entire meal I kept looking up to see her

eating next to my wife. I did get a good quote out of it though. Natalie said to who we later found out was her Black Swan dance trainer, now fiance, and baby daddy " Oh, YES, they have free range organic eggs" and let out a sigh of relief. We both thought it was ridiculous.

Heres what we ate.

Hamburger with Fries. Fries were basically wedged potatoes. So good. Fresh pickle was really tasty. As a result we recently made our own.

Open Face ham sandwich. Forget what type of cheese. On homemade bread. Salad had a lemon basil vinagerette. All extremely tasty and about $12 a plate.