Firestone Walker + L.A. Beer Bloggers = #FW3.
There comes a point where surprise becomes the new normal. Firestone Walker has reached that point.
The now annual trip has featured tractor rides to an organic farm. Blending my own gin and this year the historic barns of the Central Coast. That may sound facetious or trite but these trips north from Los Angeles have given me so much. Not only as a beer blogger but just as a total person.
That is why I feel compelled to post multiple times across so many social media platforms. Literally, it is the only time that I post on Instagram. My least utilized app.
That is just prelude to what I learned on the 2015 trip (aka LA2FW3) which I will list out because I don’t want to leave anything out:
Sour Opal (which will be “liberated” on the 25th of this month) is yet another winner from Barrelworks. It is a close second to my all-time favorite of Bretta Weisse.
Just the fact that it was mentioned, partially in jest, that Bretta Weisse would be canned made my day.
From the Barrel might not get the love that the Invitational gets but if I had more time and seating options, it would be really close. Firestone Walker knows their way around a tentpole event.
I now know much more about acidity in sour beers. And Olalliberries.
I hate coming in last in a competition especially when the winners get cardboard Firestone Walker crowns.
I could really get used to tasting wine. There is something about the setting of Thacher Winery that just relaxes a person automatically.
BBQ and wine go really well together as do beer and cupcakes.
Beer at 10am is fantastic. Especially nitro cream Velvet Merlin.
I like Easy Jack and 805 more than Pivo Pils.
Oh, and I do not have the talent to chug a beer. Probably a good thing.
(I will go more in depth about From the Barrel later on this blog and tomorrow is a recap of the Acid Trip with Jeffers over on Food GPS)