Category: Brewery Tour

A concise brewery bio

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1st Visit – Culture Brewing Manhattan Beach

I last had a Culture Brewing beer back in the good times, a long time ago at their original Solana Beach location. Since then they have opened two locations, closed one and then opened this northernmost outpost in busy Manhattan Beach.

I ordered a 4-pack of their Mosaic IPA online the night before but when I arrived and saw their menu board, I sorta wished that I had waited. Then I found out the Mosaic was out of stock. But the helpful counter person gave me plenty of options and was super friendly and by the time that I left, felt like I got a better deal.

My beer buddy got the Keyhole IPA and gave it a thumbs up as do I with the 2x Hazy. The inside was still a little unfinished but that is probably because they aren’t racing an opening date. The space does go back a fair bit to allow either a sidewalk adjacent seat or out of the sun seat when life’s re-opens.

If you are wary of beach crowds, the to-go counter is closer to the top of the shopping and dining area, so you can quickly pop in.

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Oakland Brewery # 3 – Ale Industries

Located in the Jingle Town neighborhood, Ale Industries makes many Oakland’s best lists. Below are what I would put in a taster tray when back allowed into taprooms again…

TURING TEST – Juicy IPA

“Bio-energy brewed and dry-hopped with Amarillo and Mosaic hops to create bright tangerine aromas and flavor on the front and a subtle grapefuit finish on the back. Expressive yeast creates bursting juicy flavor in every sip.”

HOPLESS ROMANTIC – Barrel Aged Gruit

“This gruit spent two entire years aging in combination of red & white wine barrels. Hibiscus and rose water was towards the last six months of its slumber resulting in complex tart flavors and a beautiful red body.”

TOWN BEER – CA Tea Beer

“Bio-energy brewed with 100% pilsner malt plus noble German Tattnanger and Saaz hops to create a spicy and floral profile. Fermenting this ale at cool lager tempratures produces the a clean, crisp, ale you can crush anytime”

LA NIÑA FRESA – Tart Ale w/ Tepache

“Ale crafted our house-made Mexican Tepache consisting of cinnamon, brown sugar, ginger, and whole chopped pineapples. Spontaneous fermentation creates a tart ale balanced by funky pineapple and bready cake flavors.”

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Oakland Brewery # 2 – Original Pattern

Next Oakland stop is at Original Pattern Brewing. Below are the five beers that woul be on my taster tray…

Yamagata RICE LAGER

Light, crisp, brewed with jasmine rice

By Way of Riwaka IPA

Passionfruit, kumquat, citrus, pine, Riwaka and Mosaic hops

Transcending Universes IPA

Pine, resin, grapefruit, pineapple, Idaho 7, Mosaic, Simcoe hops

Marto Double Red

Malty, caramel, piney, balanced, Simcoe, Chinook hops

Bourbon Barrel Aged Wee Man Scotch Ale

Bourbon, vanilla, malty, caramel, dried fig, sweet

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Oakland Brewery # 1 – Ghost Town Brewing

In honor of the Portland Trailblazers best player, Damian Lillard, we head to his origins in Oakland to look around the breweries there. First stop is Ghost Town Brewing which is what the NBA arenas around the country were in the second half of the season.

Here are the beers that I would like to try..l

Scumbag Cream Ale – “We did the unthinkable. We canned Scumbag Cream Ale. This humble American Pseudo-Pilsner is our taproom exclusive $3 pint. It’s clean, crisp, and an insanely crushable 4.6% ABV.”

Geisterfaust – “is a specter of bygone summer revelry. Geisterfaust Pilsner is crisp, refreshing, and only 5.5% ABV.”

Idealist Double IPA – “This 8.2% ABV Hazy DIPA is hopped with experimental hop 10416 and Citra, for highly nostalgic recollections of fruit cups and foil lidded OJ. Idealist is the uncanny manifestation of our shelter in place daydreams.”

Ossuary Robust Porter – “is a dark beer for even darker times. Ossuary has smooth, rich flavors of French roast coffee, caramel-like burnt sugar, and a hint of cocoa. Its 6.66% ABV and hearty body were designed to put a little meat on your idle hands.”

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Garden State Brewery #3 – Chimney Rustic Ales

You might have noticed a not so subtle theme running through the choices this month, whimsical names. The last is no exception.

Chimney Rustic Ales from Hammonton. Here is what I might put into a sweep of a taster tray…

Griz Lemongrass Grissette – Traditional farmhouse ale from France and Belgium.  We allowed our house mixed-culture to free-rise during fermentation and conditioned it on lemongrassto compliment the expressive yeast.

Persistent Gratitude Sichuan Peppercorn Table Beer – Fermented with our house mixed culture, a bright citrusy flavor is complemented by a floral nose. This is NOT a spicy beer.

DubZ Belgian Dubbel – Our take on the Abbey Dubbel features dark fruit flavors that are traditional to the stylen that give way to the dry finish of our house-selected farmhouse mixed culture.

Realm #1 Cryo IPA – The original iteration of our Extra Special Interdimensional IPA series. Brewed with Citra and Mosaic Cryo hops, this beer pops with mango, grapfruit pith, and citrus gummies.

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Garden State Brewery # 2 – Alementary

We are off to Hackensack for our second New Jersey virtual brewery stop and Alementary.

Here is what I would add to a taster tray….

Seoul Brothers Fruited Rice Ale – “This collaboration with Kimchi Smoke is reminiscent of Makgeolli, a traditional fermented rice beverage. Brewed with sushi rice and Korean Pears, Seoul Brothers marries American craft beer with Korean flavors.”

Work Boots Pale Ale -“re-envisioning of the classic American Pale Ale, Work Boots is an homage to hard-working stiffs who deserve a beer at the end of a long day in the trenches. Dry hopped with Cascade and Falconer’s Flight for bursts of bright citrus and fresh, dank resin.”

Spotted Dog Cream Ale – “A delightfully crisp classic Cream Ale, made with American 6-Row barley and flaked corn. Note: there’s no cream in a cream ale!”

A-Game IPA – “Our flagship East Coast IPA is double dry hopped with Citra and Centennial for a fresh burst of citrus goodness.”

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1st Visit – Party Beer Co.

We are heading to the West Adams area of Los Angeles to visit Party Beer Co. for the first time.

Near the Farmdale Station of the Expo Line is the new Party Beer Co. tucked into the West Adams district, an area that looks to have had some Highland Park business activity happening before you know what happened and stopped most business in its tracks.

The space is lots of patio with a small rooftop area. You have to use the architectural design to imagine what the space will be like when fully operational so this first visit is more like a “what can be” review. It will most likely be similar to Block Party in Highland Park. More communal hang, birthday party, spring break. But with better drinks served.

Party Beer Co. also has a Beastie Boy video feel as the staff on opening day were all in jumpsuits. Some white and some peach. Which made the masks and shields less off putting and more part of the costume.

I will review two of the beers later this month. Pizza Cat Pilsner, Black Lives Matter Golden Ale, Destroyer of Worlds Hazy IPA, California Kölsch, West Coast IPA, and Nonna’s Bitters & Soda (a hard seltzer) were the available choices for takeout (or curbside pick-up). More seltzer’s to come but they will be more of a cocktail inspired version and not just insert fruit here.

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Garden State brewery # 1 – Fort Nonsense Brewing

First NJ flight is in Denville at the excellently named Fort Nonsense Brewing Company. The name derives from part of the Morristown HQ for George Washington that included “Continental Store”, Fort Nonsense and Camp Jockey Hollow.

Let’s dive into what I might choose for a taster tray…

Benedict Amber Traitor Ale – “Malt forward and moderate hop profile.”

In Full Effect IPA – “Brewed and DDH with Simcoe, Amarillo, and Citra hops.”

Arnold’s Tavern Porter – “A roasty brew with chocolate notes.”

Project Lola Pilsner – “This crisp, 5.4% lager has a strong malt character with a citrus finish.”

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US of A Brewery # 3 – Foolproof Brewing

To Rhode Island we head for socially distant visit to Foolproof Brewing Company.

I would add the following to my first taster tray…

Ocean State Lager – “This bold, crisp lager is brewed in homage to the great state of Rhode Island. With an extended cold fermentation, we’ve taken careful consideration to preserve the beer’s delicate nature. Ocean State Lager has a soft and subtle malt profile balanced with a refreshing hop flavor.”

Ocean State Hazy Session IPA – “Ocean State IPA is one of the most drinkable craft beers you’ll ever have the pleasure of enjoying. Jam packed with Sultana hops, you won’t believe how much hop flavor and aroma we’ve squeezed into this 4.6% ABV wonder.”

Tatou Rose Saison – “Tatou, French for Armadillo, is a saison inspired by the dry rosé wines of Provence, France. Brewed with the must of Grenache grapes and hibiscus flowers, this sparkling pink ale is dry, effervescent, fruity, and complex. Tatou is a marriage of the sophisticated, delicate nature of an expertly produced French wine and the bold ingenuity and creativity of American craft beer.”

Backyahd – “The ultimate suburban brew, Backyahd is an aggressively hopped American IPA with a tantalizing hop aroma. The beer’s bitterness pairs perfectly with spicy foods coming straight off the grill. Enjoy it with friends, family, or whomever you choose. After all, it’s your Backyahd.”

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US of A Brewery # 2 – Axe & Arrow

Next stop is New Jersey to e-visit Axe & Arrow.

Let’s dive into a possible taster tray…

Meat Sweats Chile Beer – “collab brew conjured up with a little help from our friends at Three 3’s, Cross Keys, and Core 3. Chili spices and peppers were added to pack just a little heat ”

Frostbite White IPA – “This hybrid beer style combines a Belgian wit beer with a floral , tropical IPA. The Mosaic and Amarillo hops combined with the yeast really produce a unique and highly crushable beer.”

The Axe DIPA – “Lighter body and maltiness with pronounce citrus notes in aroma and flavor. Moderately high bitterness from beginning to end with a clean finish.”

The Arrow IPA – “Medium body with a slightly higher maltiness subdued by a strong but not overpowering bitterness with lots of earthy and piney notes. Strong initial bitterness that gently fades.”