This weekends activities

Friday nights tasting included Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider, Anderson Valleys Summer Solstice, Hanger 24's DIPA, Maui Bikini Blonde, Pigskin Pale Ale and Firestone Wookey Jack.  Because I'm a malt fiend, I love the Summer Solstice.  The Bikini Blonde was also quite lovely.  The others, meh.  I also picked up some Abita Strawberry Harvest, one of my favorite summer seasonals and Saison du Buff from Dogfish et al.  The Saison was okay.  Great herby nose.

Afterwards, we headed to Select Beer in Redondo Beach.  I enjoyed Moylans Kilt Lifter, a Scotch Ale.  Yum.  I also picked up some Colette from Great Divide, to go. 

Saturday night we ventured to Ocean Bar which I believe is part of Abigaile.  I tried the Orange Honey Blossom and brown sugar porter (brown sugar, chocolate wheat malt) abv 6.8 / $7
bourbon barrel strong ale (honey, vanilla beans, charred oak) abv 10.2 / $9 (10 oz).  The strong ale I enjoyed.

Denver

 

We started out at Vine Street Pub and enjoyed some Mountain Sun brews.  We really like the Annapurna Amber and the Blackberry Wheat was okay. 

Then we headed to the Three Lions Pub.  I liked it.  It was a British soccer bar.  I enjoyed a local brew from Great Divide, Collette.

The next night we headed to Hops and Pie for dinner and beer.  Great place.  We started out with a bomber of Brainless on Peaches from Epic Brewing out of Utah.   

We shared a yummy caesar salad and their artisan pizza.  The pizza had "

Citrus Miso Glaze, Korean Style Pork Bulgogi, Cotija Cheese, Kimchi, Spinach finished with shaved daikon.












Then we headed to Strange Brewing.  


























we got the sampler but we were most excited for the Cherry Kriek and Cherry Bomb stout.  We loved the stout.  Soooo good!

Lastly, we stopped at Sweet Action for some ice cream.  Found this place in Sunset magazine.  We tried 4 flavors; salted butterscotch (our favorite), Stranahan's whiskey brickle, Grand Marnier, I think and one more that I've forgotten.  It was odd that the ice creams werent colored.






Sunday morning we headed to Snooze.  Love this place.  They always have great food.















 my friend got the breakfast pot pie.  yum.












 I got the panckae sampler.  One sweet potato, one pineapple upside down and one red velvet.  "
Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes Buttermilk pancakes with caramelized pineapple chunks, housemade vanilla crème anglaise and cinnamon butter
Sweet Potato Pancakes Our signature sweet potato buttermilk pancakes topped with homemade caramel, pecans and ginger butter.
Red-Eye Velvet Pancakes Red velvet buttermilk batter topped with espresso infused maple syrup, a touch of cream cheese frosting and chopped pecans. Wake up and feast!"

1321 Taproom

After a hard day shopping, my friend and I stopped by 1321.  Although this place is close, I don't go by very often.  Usually the bar service is bad and I'm not a huge fan of their food but we were in the area and were parched.  There are about 20 beers on tap.  Two caught my eye; the Bootleggers Black Phoenix, a coffee chipotle stout and Old Chub, A Scottish Ale from Oskar Blues.  I chose the Chub after I tasted the Phoenix and didn't get any chipotle out of it.  We decided to share the pork fries (shredded pork over fries).  They were tasty although a little confusing.  There were 2 cream sauces, one seemed like a bechamel or country gravy.  I dont think it was disclosed in the description.  We made it for happy hour which was very nice.

The delicious cake I made.  Angel food mix and a can of sugar free apple pie filling.  One layer I added cinnamon and the other I added ginger.  The frosting is fat free Kool Whip.  Tasty!

Last nights tasting was all pale ales.  I enjoyed the Butte Creek  and the Knee Deep.  The others (Drake's, and Karl Strauss were mediocre.  The Green Flash Rayon Vert was horrible.  It had the distinct finish of formaldehyde.  Don't ask me how I know that.

New tour in Hermosa

HipHost South Bay Craft Beer Tour

I have followed a friends advice and some Martha insight and started expanding.  Please click on the link for info on a new venture of mine...

BEER TRIP!  We started out at Monkish Brewing in Torrance.  They just opened about 7 weeks ago. I liked it.  It's close, cheap, quaint and good beer.  They also served us pistachios to snack on.  Nice touch.  I had the Rosa's Hips which has actual rose hips brewed into it.

 

After that we headed East to the Bottle Room in Whittier.  One of my fave gastropubs.  Robby, who is HOT, tends the bar.  Great beer selection on draft and yummy food.  I was famished so we started with the hummus with kalamata olives, baby tomato salsa and naan.  Then I tried their black and bleu burger.  Sadly, I was not thrilled.  Shoestring fines were tasty especially with the sauces (garlic aioli and sriracha honey).  I'm gonna need to make some sriracha honey. Being new to blogging, I forgot to take pics.  Sigh.  Sorry.

Then last stop, Beachwood BBQ in Long Beach.  I could not drink anymore, I was tired and very full.  Great beer list right now though.  I was tempted to try the Craftsman Acorn.  I love Craftsman and acorns sound interesting.

Tonight's tasting

 

Starting off with a local brewery, Bootleggers out of Fullerton, their Mountain Meadow is their spring seasonal.  It is made with chamomile, tarragon, sage and honey.  I liked it.  Biere De Mars is from New Belgiums Lips of Faith series.  Its an ale brewed with spices.  yum.  Xingu is a Brazilian black beer which is deceiving because it's quite light.  Also very good.  Next, Widmer Bros Rotator Series Spiced IPA.  Didnt love it.  Last, Hebrews Hop Manna IPA, too hoppy for me.

Yeah!  Another brewery / gastropub poppin up in South Bay!