The San Diego area thread

[SerenityNow]

What's going on today? Just mashed in for a hoppy pale ale. I'm going to head down south later. Figure I would stop at AleSmith to pick up bottles but I'm not sure where to go after (or before).

March for Science downtown if you are motivated enough. Otherwise, probably stay clear of that area. #NotBeerRelated

 

[AlexM]

Glad you made the visit. You're preaching to the choir.

Was Vacation on? Always curious to hear feedback on that beer.

Vacation Coconut was on ... for me, I wasn't getting a ton of coconut flavors, more citrus-like notes. Is there a "regular" Vacation or just the coconut variant?

 

[rcubed1]

March for Science downtown if you are motivated enough. Otherwise, probably stay clear of that area. #NotBeerRelated

I science/engineer during the week. Weekend's are for hockey and beer.

Vacation Coconut was on ... for me, I wasn't getting a ton of coconut flavors, more citrus-like notes. Is there a "regular" Vacation or just the coconut variant?

Vacation is a coconut IPA and designed as such.

 

[Tyrsis]

Enjoying a victory pint of Chasing Citra at Bluefoot. Shot a nice round of disc golf today.

 

[quetzalcoatl]

I'm going to that citybeat festival of beers. The beerlist is never anything great but it will be awesome to drink in the sun

 

[Xul1]

So Alesmith is canning Orange X, but not X. I love them, but some of their packaging decisions as of late are ******* vexing.

 

[rcubed1]

So Alesmith is canning Orange X, but not X. I love them, but some of their packaging decisions as of late are ******* vexing.

It's all Alex Tweet''s fault.

 

[Phischy1]

It's all Alex Tweet''s fault.

How's that?

 

[rrryanc]

So Alesmith is canning Orange X, but not X. I love them, but some of their packaging decisions as of late are ******* vexing.

I'm guessing more sage advice from Alpine Pat: "No, don't can just straight X. Trust me, people ******* love Willy and Mandarin Nectar."

 

[rcubed1]

How's that?

Grapefruit Sculpin, patient zero.

 

[arren]

Mikkeller was the emptiest I've ever seen it. Guess going full haze scared some people off.

 

[rcubed1]

Mikkeller was the emptiest I've ever seen it. Guess going full haze scared some people off.

With Bill gone I worry about their quality going down. Hope that doesn't happen though.

 

[SerenityNow]

Mikkeller was the emptiest I've ever seen it. Guess going full haze scared some people off.

Its 84 degrees outside. The hot weather wants me to stay home & eat ice cream.

Just spent 6 hours burning up downtown. Wtf, it's supposed to be spring.

 

[DannyFullpint]

With Bill gone I worry about their quality going down. Hope that doesn't happen though.

There are some disgusting pictures of Juice Bigelow in SDBF. Looks like egg drop soup or vomit.

 

[Phischy1]

There are some disgusting pictures of Juice Bigelow in SDBF. Looks like egg drop soup or vomit.

All the "haze" looks disgusting.

 

[rcubed1]

Meanwhile Belching Beaver struggles to keep their hazy beers hazy.

 

[SerenityNow]

All the "haze" looks disgusting.

Best IPA I've had recently was 1 week old Pliny the Elder that I opened yesterday

 

[rcubed1]

Best IPA I've had recently was 1 week old Pliny the Elder that I opened yesterday

My biggest beer bucket list item might be having Pliny at the source. Although I'd be more excited going to Moonlight.

 

[Sage1]

My biggest beer bucket list item might be having Pliny at the source.

blackzag05 and benbikes4beer hate me for this, but I’m generally not a huge fan of Blind Pig. It’s a totally ******* different beer at the source though – if that was my local I’d take down pints of that.

 

[arren]

Best IPA I've had recently was 1 week old Pliny the Elder that I opened yesterday

And mines been fresh Ponto.

I picked up a pack of Carton and I'm curious as to how bad/good it is.

 

[SerenityNow]

And mines been fresh Ponto.

I picked up a pack of Carton and I'm curious as to how bad/good it is.

Didn't get a taster?

 

[Charlesncharge]

Does anybody know why there isn't anybody in SoCal making world class farmhouse beers like SARA? And if they are, who is it and what should I be looking for?

 

[Xul1]

My biggest beer bucket list item might be having Pliny at the source. Although I'd be more excited going to Moonlight.

Ramming down Reality Czeck at Moonlight's "tasting room" (cheap patio furniture in a warehouse) is pretty much heaven. Russian River can be fun if you manage to get a table with a minimal wait, but **** trying to go there in the evening.

 

[SanDiegoJoe2011]

Does anybody know why there isn't anybody in SoCal making world class farmhouse beers like SARA? And if they are, who is it and what should I be looking for?

I think Modern Times has made GREAT strides in their BA Wild Ale/Saison program. Also, Toolbox has been churning out some solid BA Wild Ales/Saisons. Both are now creating more complex beers that aren't just fruit or just sour for the sake of being sour, but they have tartness, Barrel character, Funk, and all those attributes that set some Brewers apart from their counterparts.

 

[Charlesncharge]

I think Modern Times has made GREAT strides in their BA Wild Ale/Saison program. Also, Toolbox has been churning out some solid BA Wild Ales/Saisons. Both are now creating more complex beers that aren't just fruit or just sour for the sake of being sour, but they have tartness, Barrel character, Funk, and all those attributes that set some Brewers apart from their counterparts.

I haven't been very impressed with MT stuff, albeit I haven't had anything for a few months now. And I don't have much experience with toolbox, their brand/descriptions don't seem to match what I'm looking for. Can you recommend something by them I should be on the lookout for? I'm looking for nice saisons that aren't too sour, like Bernice or Cellarman.

 

[SanDiegoJoe2011]

I haven't been very impressed with MT stuff, albeit I haven't had anything for a few months now. And I don't have much experience with toolbox, their brand/descriptions don't seem to match what I'm looking for. Can you recommend something by them I should be on the lookout for? I'm looking for nice saisons that aren't too sour, like Bernice or Cellarman.

I really enjoyed the Toolbox Saison Rustique Framboise (available at brewery). Eau d'Vine (distributed) was enjoyable too, albeit considerably more tart as it is an AWA. Those are the only two that I've had recently, but the Saison Chene Rustique d'Abricot was very well done as well.

I'd say give MT another go, at least their BA saisons. I've enjoyed their BA saisons considerably more as of late. Talking with the Barrel manager, it sounds like it's a matter of cultivating more microbes and just more experience / learning. MT BA saisons do seem a bit more sour compared to SARA, but as of late, they seem a bit tamer and definitely more well-rounded.

 

[Charlesncharge]

I really enjoyed the Toolbox Saison Rustique Framboise (available at brewery). Eau d'Vine (distributed) was enjoyable too, albeit considerably more tart as it is an AWA. Those are the only two that I've had recently, but the Saison Chene Rustique d'Abricot was very well done as well.

I'd say give MT another go, at least their BA saisons. I've enjoyed their BA saisons considerably more as of late. Talking with the Barrel manager, it sounds like it's a matter of cultivating more microbes and just more experience / learning. MT BA saisons do seem a bit more sour compared to SARA, but as of late, they seem a bit tamer and definitely more well-rounded.

Sounds to me like I should be exploring tool box more? If they seems to be ahead of the curve as you state and have figured out the saison thing? I'll give both a try, but maybe I'll go out of my way to head down to TB.

 

[SanDiegoJoe2011]

In that area, there's also Pizza Port Bressi Ranch, Burgeon Brewing, and a new brewery called Roleur, so you definitely have options all within 10-15 minutes of each other.

I haven't had it, but Burgeon has a grisette and a saison. I haven't tried tried them, but I heard the grisette is pretty solid.

 

[arren]

Didn't get a taster?

Had family with me. Unlike a surprisingly large lot of ******** in this hobby, I don't make my kids wait around while I get drunk at a tasting room.

There were two said deadbeat parents at Mikkeller like that today.

 

[evilc]

Had family with me. Unlike a surprisingly large lot of ******** in this hobby, I don't make my kids wait around while I get drunk at a tasting room.

There were two said deadbeat parents at Mikkeller like that today.

dontdrinkbeer