Down By the Sea

Day #568 Boardwalk Black Rye IPA / Karl Strauss Brewing Company, San Diego, CA
Previously from this brewery: a sampler review, Boardwalk Black Rye IPA, Big Barrel Double IPA, more Big Barrel Double IPA, Red Trolley Ale

It's another early morning post, because there's no better way to start your day than by thinking about beer. Well, I guess I can think of other ways, but beer is definitely a good way.  So, we kick off a (hopefully) relaxing Sunday with a review of Boardwalk Black Rye IPA from Karl Strauss. This bottle was a gift from a friend who made a road trip out to San Diego, and when you pour it in the glass you see a dark black color with an off white head.  Your nose is greeted by aromas of malt, rye, and spice, and when you drink it down you find a malt heavy beer, with a fair bit of toasting.  There's bitterness throughout, with good amounts of pine and lemon, and prominent rye spiciness.  I can sometimes not be a fan of the black IPA trend, as some breweries tend to overdo the toasting/roasting, but Karl Strauss definitely gets this one right.

Sunshine and beer

Karl Strauss has a brewpub outpost in La Jolla, CA that is across the street from a Brooks Brothers store. That's pretty much my dream neighborhood right there.  Sunshine + brewery + Brooks Brothers = AWESOME

Thing to Think About Today:
Curious... yesterday we were thinking about the beach, and now today's beer gets us thinking about the boardwalk.  The obvious thing to close out this post with is Under the Boardwalk by The Drifters.  I'm sure that was a romantic place in the 1950s, although now I'm fairly certain if you went under the boardwalk, you'd find actual drifters (not the band) or people selling meth.  I'd actually really avoid going there, if I were you.... be safe people.  Enjoy your Sunday!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjD0Ne3CuaY

"On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be"

Day 498: Perfect Weather, Perfect Beer, Karl Strauss

The first time I experienced a Karl Strauss beer was on the great beer-cation of 2012 when we stopped by their outpost in La Jolla (California). La Jolla is beautiful. If you haven't been, I highly recommend it.

Today's weather reminds of that gloriously sunny day last summer, although I admit that it's about 15 degrees cooler right now. And then there's the obvious lack of the Pacific Ocean lapping in the distance. So totally the same, right?

The Big Barrel double IPA was a gift from my good friend Kelli, who had the wherewithal to smuggle several bombers home in her luggage. It poured a lovely apricot color. It had a full but quick to disappear ivory head.

It's aroma is fruity hops--pineapple specifically. The flavor is amazing. Great fullness. Bready. Good amount of malt. It finishes with a strong hop backbone.

Beer stats
Style: Double IPA
ABV: 9%
IBUs: 90
Rating: Excellent

Previously reviewed from Karl Strauss
Gary's thoughts on Big Barrel
My review of our visit in 2012
Gary's review of Red Trolley ale

Suit Up

Beer #484 West Coast IPA / Green Flash Brewing Company, San Diego, CA
Previously from this brewery: we have some Le Freak, Le Freak (so chic), Palate Wrecker, Imperial IPA, top 25 selection Rayon Vert, Linchpin IPA, and the sampler.

After yesterday's big day spent getting my flow back in order, today was another important day in the world of style; I hit up Brooks Brothers to grab some new suits for summer.  Great deals happening today, so I really couldn't resist.  Plus, the fact that I've lost nearly 20 pounds this year means all of my suits hang off me like the baggy pants MC Hammer famously wore.

2 Legit 2 get better fitting trousers

While that worked famously for Hammer back in the day, I was starting to run out of things to wear to work that didn't make me look like one of his back up dancers.  I mean, mine aren't covered in sequins, but you get the point.  I was due to get some new duds.  Mission accomplished.

To celebrate, I'm reviewing a West Coast IPA from BlogNamedBrew favorite Green Flash Brewing.  This beer pours a clear copper color with a healthy white head.  The aroma is the expected mix of grapefruit and pine, and when you take a sip you get a nice, refreshing beer with notes of lemon and grapefruit, pine, with just a hint of bready malt to keep things in check.  Good, solid bitterness throughout, but nothing too overpowering.  A very well done IPA which checks in at 7.3% ABV.  If you love IPAs (and who doesn't?), this one should be on your go-to list.

Delicious

From their website, this beer has a blend of four hops: Simcoe (added to bring grapefruit), Columbus (hop pungency), Centennial (pine and citrus notes), and Cascade (floral aroma).  Now you know.

Thing to Think About Today:
When you look as handsome as me, you don't have to take your clothes off to have a good time.  Particularly when you're wearing a nice new Brooks Brothers suit.  However, if you doubt this theory, I'll allow Jermaine Stewart to tell it in song.  Feel the 80s power and enjoy the rest of your weekend, friends!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWZisnZ-RGE

"Not a word, from your lips /You just took for granted that I want to skinny dip "

Beer 204: Green Flash and All the Beers!

A brewery in an office park? Not as strange as it sounds.

Day #2 in San Diego took us to Green Flash Brewing Company.  We also visited Karl Strauss Brewing that afternoon, but that's another story for another day.

As our GPS guided us to Green Flash, I thought for certain it malfunctioned as we pulled into a nondescript office park.  But it turns out this was no ordinary white collar bastion -- it was home to Green Flash Brewing.     

After taking a look at the tap list, I couldn't decide so I opted for a sampler.  

Delicious sampler!

On the far right is the Saison Diego.  It was a hazy golden ale with very little head.  It's brewed with Seville orange peels, ginger and grains of paradise per the website.  It was light but spicy...a little earthy and quite tasty.

Beer #3 in the photo was the Rayon Vert.  Green Flash described it as being their flagship if they were founded in Belgium.  It's their Belgian-style pale ale and I should have known better.  But this was early in the beer-cation and I hadn't fully given in to the hop yet.  My notes indicate it was way too hoppy for me.  I went for it because it was conditioned with Brettanomyces.  That definitely added a nice dryness.  

Next up was the Double Stout Black Ale.  It poured black as night with a full light tan head.  It was fantastic.  Very roasted and creamy -- almost reminded me of a milk stout with a hint of hops in the finish.  Excellent.  

As far as the one on the left...I haven't a clue.  I stopped taking notes but based on the picture below, I really seemed to enjoy it! 

One more for the heck of it!

I probably could have stayed at Green Flash until they threw us out but luckily better sense prevailed and we continued on the great beer adventure!

Cheers!

Beer 190: Mission Brewing Blonde Ale

We've departed Jenner (CA) for Santa Rosa early this morning and on our way managed to visit one of California's most dangerous beaches -- Goat Rock Beach. Dangers included rip currents, strong backwashes and sleeper waves. Not included on the list were giant jagged rocks and nesting sea lions who evidently get really riled up when humans are nearby recently born pups.




Apologies for this crackhead photo. I managed to go out without the Blackberry, ipad or camera on this beer run. Mission Brewery Blonde Ale is an American style blonde ale and is brewed in San Diego. The brewery was founded in the early 20th century and was shut down thanks to Prohibition. It reopened in 2007 and seems to be winning awards ever since.
I had this one in a bottle and it didn't come with a glass. No comments on looks or smell. The flavor is malt forward with very little hop influence. It has a fuller mouthfeel. The flavor is a bit citrusy and also had something slightly metallic in the taste. It was a decent beer...just not a great beer. Cheers.

P.S. This was the view I had waking up this morning! Not bad!