Bootlegged & Blindsided – Day 1

Off to Firestone Walker the L.A. Beer Bloggers go for #FW3.

The bus left the still in build-out mode future home of FW Venice mid-day yesterday and pointed north to Paso Robles with the destination being From the Barrel at the historic Santa Margarita ranch.

First though, a quick stop at Barrelworks to see “Sour Jim” and Jeffers and sample some beers. A little backtrack first, each trip with FW has started with a sneak peek at a beer not yet released. Two years ago was Bretta Weisse. (Still a favorite of mine) and last year was Bretta Rose a delightful sour fruit beer. This year we got another winner, Sour Opal. Woody and tart.  Simple and flavorful.

With an eye on the clock we re-boarded the bus and headed to the hotel to dress up for the party. The end of prohibition was the theme and the whole troop was in period outfits.

From the Barrel might not get the love that the Invitational does but it offers a different brand of fun and libations. You enter the large and historic barn (a halfway stop between missions) and get your glass, plate and program. In front of you are seemingly table after table of food, spirits and beer.  Moonshine to sliders to Pizza Port beer then you might find port, hand rolled cigars and dessert.

All of the food I tasted was quite good, of course it had to do battle with the drink.  You could get a barrel aged Manhattan or Blueberry Sour from Crooked Stave.

The intersection of an old barn of stone, wood and brick and the night sky of the country with the company of the LA Beer Bloggers made for a great night.