California 2009

This year I decided took what has become my annual mental break to the lovely San Diego, California. My sister lives out that way and I always love the weather, the beautiful scenery and the San Diego area has just flat out awesome people. I took a different spin on my trip this year, doing something I have always wanted to do. I drove all the way from San Antonio, Texas to San Diego and back. Quite a drive, but I was on a mission. The call of the open road, the chance to see more of this great country and the opportunity to truly contemplate life was just too much to resist. I knew that beer would be involved of course. I usually hit Stone Brewing out in Escondido, Ca, but this time around I wanted to get as much bang for my buck at see as many craft breweries and beer bars as I possibly could in a 5 day trip.

I arrived on A Sunday night and checked into my hotel in San Diego’s historic Gas Lamp district. Soon after I head over to meet some good friends, Shanna Trenholm and Sophia Daly, for some kick butt Moroccan food at Kous Kous, fantastic conversation and some fine red wine. I know, you’re wondering when the beer with rear its wonderful head? Wait no longer dear readers, for here it comes.

Day 1
The first full day out in sunny San Diego I wandered like a vagabond around downtown and San Diego harbor. It was a gorgeous morning and my meandering landed me at the U.S.S. Midway. After a 3 hour tour, literally, I had lunch at a place I had been to numerous times as a child, Anthony’s Fish Grotto on the bay. Fantastic seafood, great memories, plenty of time to contemplate the intricacies of life, and yes..I had a beer. Anthony’s has a few brews of their own, so, coupled with a classic fish and chips plate that brought my childhood rushing back to me, I enjoyed a pint of their Yellowtail Pale Ale while sitting out on the wharf overlooking the ocean. A nice little Pale Ale that really went well with the fine meal I was having. After my numerous other wanderings that day (I ended up in Little Italy), I headed back for the hotel to rest up for a meet up later with Shanna, Sophia and several others at an art gallery for conversation about the world and more good wine (don’t worry dear readers, the brew really is coming..)…

Day 2

The next day I met up with a new found beer guy, Matt Dolman. You should know that Matt is somewhat of a legend in the San Diego County beer scene. I just didn’t realize how much until later. We headed out on our journey close to noon. First stop: Stone Brewing Co in Escondido.

Now I’ve been to Stone several times before, but it’s a must stop for me when in San Diego. Upon arrival I met up with the guy who updates Stone’s twitter account. I’ve spoke to him a few times on twitter, so it was great to put a name to the face. We stood in Stone’s store which is a commercial temple to all that is Stone. Shirts, glasses, jersey’s, you name..oh,  and beer of course. I grabbed a few items and then off to the bistro I went. I was fortunate in that I arrived the day after Stone’s 13th Anniversary Ale became available. I of course had a half pint of it while enjoying my Ruination IPA cheese soup. They complimented each other nicely. The 13th is a very hoppy endeavor. Privileged I was to have this on on tap at Stone. While nursing my soup, I also had a Ruination IPA (as if you didn’t see that coming), as well as a little of their Cali-Belgique IPA (a wonderful little Belgian IPA). Good conversation ensued and soon a Stone hero known as ‘Dr. Bill’ showed up. Dr. Bill is the man behind what the Bistro and bar carries on tap. Word has it he has quite a selection of brews at home himself. My hats off to you sir for such a great job at Stone!

After Stone, it was off to another Mecca for me. One I had not been to, but desperately wanted to: Port Brewing/The Lost Abbey in San Marcos. This was somewhat fitting, as Port occupies Stone’s original location. This was actually a unique experience, as you are actually visiting 2 breweries in one. Port Brewing and its sister brewery The Lost Abbey. We walked in and soon ran into Director of brewery Operations, Tomme Arthur. Tomme also oversees The Lost Abbey, serving as Master Brewer there as well. Tomme has had quite a brewing career, beginning with working at Cervecerias La Cruda Brewery in San Diego and soon after Port Brewing. He was Head Brewer until 1995, when he was named Director of Brewery Operations. Tomme has a passion for flavor driven beers and it shows with The Lost Abbey line.  Tomme was deep into Brewery business, but allowed Matt to show me around and pour a few Port and Lost Abbey brews. Matt is a frequent visitor to Port, as well as a volunteer at various Port/Lost Abbey events. An impressive setup was seen, but we soon gravitated over to the bar in the tasting area. Matt went around behind the bar, while I bellied up to the bar. First up was a few from Port: Old Viscosity(a dark ale), High tide IPA(a bitter, hoppy IPA) and Shark Attack(a double Red ale). Now it was time for a few from the The Abbey Line…

Lost Abbey is nod to the Belgian tradition, brewed ‘For saints and Sinners Alike”. What’s really cool is that each is bottle conditioned and utilizes a hood and wire cork, much like the monastic beers of Belgium. Matt started me off with Devotion, a very hoppy blonde ale with a creamy finish; next up was a sample of Inferno, a very nice strong Belgian Ale. Next was Lost and Found, a beer brewed in the Trappist tradition with a raisin puree used in the brewing process. Last, but not least, was Avant Garde, a nod to the Biere de Garde beers; had a nice bread feel to it.

Although I wanted to stay longer, off we went. Next stop was Holiday Wine Cellar in San Marcos. Probably the best beer selection of any liquor store I’d been too. It was a brief stop to pick up some brews to take home. What caught me was what was in the catacombs down below. I was escorted by Matt and a very nice employee into the bowls of the store. There I witnessed a haven to beer hoarders: many folks had there own cages or lockers for storing and aging their beers. A few cases of beer loaded into the car later, and it was off to a beer bar in San Marcos, that was soon to become a favorite: Churchill’s.

We arrived at Churchill’s Pub and Grill early in the evening (after a quick stop over at Matt’s to grab more brew), and the place was exactly what Matt described: a nice little English style pub with only the best brew on tab. Owner Ivan Derezin came over after a few minutes to say hi to Matt and introduce himself to me. As I sipped my brew (name not remembered), in walks none other than Tomme Arthur of Port/Lost Abbey. Another quick hello to Tomme, and he was off for some dinner with his family. Although very busy that day, he was (and is..) in the middle of a reconstruction of the place, he was nice enough to take the time to sit for a few minutes. A few beers and some food later, and it was time to head outside for a cigar and some la Folie from New Belgium. Soon after as the cigars began to peeter out, it was time to go. Tomorrow was another adventure.

Day 3
On my this day, I decided to head up the highway a little and visit Green Flash Brewing Co. I had called ahead of time and spoke to co-owner , Lisa Hinkley, but I dropped by on a day I was not expected. Brewmater Chuck Silva was in and although extremely busy, he agreed to show me around. A quick tour around their impressive brewery, I ended up at their tap wall for some ’samples. Chuck talked with me for a bit longer, but then had to tend to brewery business. He came back here and there, but at this point I was left to tasting brews poured by one of the cellerman and to look around. Listening to a little Flogging Molly, I tasted Le Freak(a Belgian IPA); 30th Street Pale Ale (a local only Pale Ale with a big bitter hop flavor); their Summer Saison; and their Double Stout (this was a real treat..). Time to go, but I was not done yet.

A quick stop by Churchill’s again on the way back to the hotel, I had a brew, some food and a hello to Ivan. Off to the hotel.  As they day wound down, I met up with Shanna later for a drink at the bar. A watered down mojito for her and a watered down nameless brew for me. Neither of us finished our drinks they were so bad.

Day 4

I spent the morning at the famous San Diego Zoo and some great museums in Balboa Park(after a brief chai stopover with Shanna). By afternoon, I was starving and met up with my sister at the Ballast Point Brewing Co. No food to be had, but some great beers. While awaiting my sisters arrival, I walked around this unique brewery. It actually began as a supply store) (Home Brew Mart) for home brewers!  The brewery is actually located in the back of the store in a large warehouse. This was one ow a couple of locations. On tap that day was their Yellow tail Pale Ale (a brew based on the Kolsh brewing tradition); Big Eye IPA (a very bitter and hoppy, but balanced IPA); their Black Marlin Porter ( a typical chocolaty porter, but with a fair amount of hops!); and lastly I had a tasting of their calico Amber Ale ( a solid Amber, but the coffee undertones didn’t work for me).

After Ballast Point, my sister and I headed back to downtown San Diego for some dinner before meeting friends. We had chosen to eat at the Ritual Tavern, but as they were not yet open, we meandered over to the Toronado bar in San Diego. Quite a selection these guys have, and the atmosphere was fantastic. What to choose! When I saw that they carried Cable Car from the Lost Abbey, it was decided. Quite and expensive bottle, but well worth it! This is thrown into the ‘American Wild Ale’ for its use of Brettanomyces yeast. You never know for sure how these will turn out, and this one was sour, but very well balanced with malt. A rare treat, as this doesn’t come out often.

Ritual finally opened up, so sis and I headed back over to Ritual. A funky little bistro/tavern, it boasted a decent wine bar and a decent selection of local brews. I ordered the Sheppard’s Pie and we shared a cheese and cracker plate. While enjoying this fine meal, I had another Green Flash 30th Street Pale Ale, followed up with an Alesmith ‘Lil’ Devil’. Quite a fine evening with my sister indeed (although a wine aficionado, she is quite knowledge with beers and has an excellent palate).

With only a few hours to go on my last night in San Diego, we headed over to Extraordinary Desserts to unwind and met Shanna and Sophia there. While having an excellent dessert (I don’t remember what I had!), I enjoyed a Lagunitas Lucky 13 Ale. Another wonderful time with family and friends over a good meal and good beer.

Day 5

A sad farewell to my sister, all my beer and luggage loaded up, I began to head out of town. On my way back home to San Antonio, I wanted to say goodbye to those who had become good friends and great hosts while I was in San Diego. I stopped over to say goodbye to Sophia, then called Shanna and Matt (as they were both unavailable) and then headed out..I will be back.