For this month of pride, here are the beers that I drank that shined the brightest to me in June.
Two IPAs, both collaborations, are the runners up to a barrel-aged beer that was quite a surprise in the heat of a SoCal early summer.
The IPAs are Little Bay from Far Field Beer Co. and HopSaint Brewing and then a super big collab, Dankerman 3 from Tarantula Hill Brewing, Artifex Brewing, Burgeon Brewing and Craft Coast for this San Diego County inspired beer.
The winner is Brandy Barrel-Aged O.E. Barleywine from Smog City Brewing. When barrel-aged beers work for me, it is because that particular barrel takes the lead without dominating proceedings. And that is truly the case with this beer that is so brandy forward, in all the good ways. I also have the Bourbon version as well and am excited for that as well.
As an honorable mention, I would strongly suggest that you get a 4-pack of the Unity 2025 beer from ISM Brewing. It is a light and lovely IPA that doesn’t skimp on bitterness.