I made a drive out to Julian with two agendas. Pie from one of the many pie establishments in the small mountain town and beer from both breweries to pair with all that pie crust.
First was Nickel Beer Co. which reminded me of Happy Valley back in Portland. A corner location that looked to be a roadside hangout now brewery.
Inside was a memento filled small room with the taps, I picked out a sampler tray and set to tasting on the patio to enjoy the sun and wind and blue sky.
Unfortunately, three of the five beers exhibited off flavors which is something since I don’t usually pick “off” up much. The Farmer Jon Strong Pale was unique but not greatly hoppy. The Apple Pie Ale was as advertised but the others did not make the grade. I was hoping that the Pink Boots beer being a DIPA would be a saving grace, but alas, not to be.
On the other end of Julian is the aptly named Julian Beer Company with plenty of front patio seating in front of a pair of red barns to watch Pacific Coast Trail hikers going past.
I had a sampler tray with lovely taster glasses but alas, though better than Nickel, the beers were only so-so. My favorite was the Rye IPA, Pistol Whipped. If the Grave Digger was labeled as a dark lager and not a Dopplebock, I would have ranked that a bit higher. I had another Pink Boots IPA and it was a bit underdone.
To be blunt, the two Julian ciders that I had were easily the best drinks of the trip.