Category: Brewery Tour

A concise brewery bio

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CCBA Summit Brewery # 3 – Pine & Palm Brewing

The final California stop is in Fresno and Pine & Palm Brewing. The brewery was established in 2014 by owner Roger Noguera and lives now in a newer bigger space in North Fresno.

Here is what I would sample from a first taster tray…

Krispie Boi – “Citra Dry Hopped Lager”

Office Beer IPA – “Collaboration with 411”

Sleepy Time Barrel-Aged Barleywine – ” 2018 Release of Sleepy Time Barleywine. Aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels”

3rd Anniversary Barrel-Aged Stout – ” Aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels with Madagascar Vanilla beans”

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2nd Visit (x2) – Arrow Lodge & Alosta

Since my Mighty Linfield Wildcats were playing in Redlands under the lights, I thought it would be a good time to re-visit a couple breweries along the route.

I chose two within walking distance spots on the Arrow Highway, Alosta and Arrow Lodge. Here is a duo of 2nd visit reports…

I walk in and see that there are (3) spaces to sit (after I place my taster tray order).  You have the main room, a space to the side and then a weird outdoor area that looks to be just an ungraded outdoor space where tables and charis have just been plonked down onto.  Not quite a biergarten but I guess nice when the inside is loud.  Like any home, stuff accrues, for example the side room has two pinball machines flanking a TV. Well-worn chairs and tables on one side.  Couches the other. Outdoor lighting strung up.  Medals in shadow boxes, a bunch of games on a shelf.  The place needs a little interior design love.

The taster tray was a little tatty as well, but here are my quick reviews of the beers:

Highway 39 – super light yellow. Nice grain taste.  

Los Guerrero’s Mexican Lager – nice.  Little sweetness. Pear note

Hazebangers Ball IPA – nice initially. Not hazy at all. More IPL to me

1887 Tripel – close to what I like. A little too much menthol though.

Overall – Medium. Nothing off but nothing really sings either.

The Lodge is packed and loud but with activities taking precedence over TVs.  There is a tented area inside, complete with picnic table and fake campfire and chairs.  Who wouldn’t want to sit there? Lots of pinball sounds reverberating but only one TV.  The beer menu is a bit more adventurous and on the current trends.  Milkshake, hazy and pastry our on the board.  Multiple IPA 4-packs available most with $20 price tags.  The vibe here is more my style even with kids bopping around.

Cup of Ambition – weird, nutty, coconut cream pie no hops at all. Light end pastry stout

Dank Goodness – great Nelson aroma of Concord grape. Really nice. ABV shows itself.  Harsher, the more you drink

Roll With It – has that hazy look down. Pineapple and lactose. Thick tasting

After Hours – pastry stout. 11%abv. Chocolate big here.  Wicked sweet.  Coconut  aplenty, could not finish the taster.

Final Score – Linfield 19 vs University of Redlands 27 – thanks to injuries and a shyster ref who thinks forward passes are fumbles.

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CCBA Summit Brewery # 2 – Crooked Lane

Stop 2 is in Auburn for the lauded (by the recent CCBA Summit), Crooked Lane Brewing. I had their 1-2 Punch Peach / Mango IPA and quite enjoyed it. Now here are some other beers that you may like…

Crimson American Red Ale – “Our Crooked twist on the American Red Ale is delightfully malty with a hint of hops, featuring locally crafted malt from Admiral Maltings. Deliciously balanced, Crimson will be a big hit with fans of this sought-after style.”

Throttle Therapy Brut IPA – “Dubbed THE IPA of summer by our brewing staff, this crushable Brut IPA is high on hop octane with a crisp malt backbone, reminiscent of a dry hopped Pilsner.”

Roaky Mandarina IPA – “Generous additions of mandarin juice and citrus-forward hops combine in the juicy Roaky Mandarina IPA. ‘Roaky’ means Hazy, owing to the New England IPA yeast, and celebrates mandarins & hops in a uniquely refreshing beer.”

Nightfall at the Barn – “Another magically delicious beer in our series of collaborations with Drake’s Brewing Co., Nightfall at the Barn is a decadent and rich Russian Imperial Stout, with unparalleled smooth malt flavors.” 

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CCBA Summit Brewery # 1 – Flat Fish Brewing

Our first California stop, in honor of the California Craft Beer Summit in Long Beach is Flat Fish Brewing Company of not-so far away Camarillo.

Here are some of their IPA choices with the last two scheduled to be on tap at the CCBA Fest.

Long Drift IPA – ” Get a fresh bite of peach fuzz out of this one as the Mosaic comes forward through the aroma and enhances its juicy palate. The Citra provides a refreshing citrus-forward, west coast signature. Don’t miss the Simcoe bittering addition that gives a hint of berry!”

Pelican Bay IPA – ” This beer is a showcase for Simcoe and Amarillo hops used throughout the brewing process. The combination delivers a clean light tropical profile with plenty of bitterness for a nice finish. The Pelican Bay malt bill is a little lighter than the Long Drift IPA.”

Turbot Charge Double Red IPA – ” Bite into the dense layered hops in this Red Double IPA. Clocking in at 95 IBUs of well-integrated hops and a solid malt backbone!”

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Featured Brewery # 3 – Bear Republic

Yeah, everyone knows about this Old Guard brewery but the crew from Healdsburg have some “challenge”ing beers that they have released of late that should have you taking a second (or third) look at Bear Republic Brewing.

11 DBL Brut – ” This is an 8% Double Brut IPA. Late hop additions of over 4 pounds per barrel of Citra and Galaxy hops set the pace of this beer. The juicy start of this beer ends bone dry.”

06 Smells – ” The malt character is led by the 2-row, Pilsner and wheat malt bill. The malt base is turbocharged by a citrus blast of orange and tangerine flavors. The hop aroma will trade paint with juicy flavor thanks to a late hop addition of Amarillo, Mandarina Bavaria, Citra and Cascade hops. Barbarian yeast completes this fact paced lap with it’s stone fruit esters and added hop aromatic enhancement.”

58 Uber Dank – “the fourth release of the Challenge Series. This Uber Dank IPA is aggressive in its aromatic pleasure as Simcoe, Ella, Vic Secret, Sabro and Columbus hops contribute a piney, grape fruity, tropical and diesel dank aroma.”

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Benny Boy in The Heights

One of the toughest tests in opening a brewery is finding that special spot to plant your operations. That is especially hard here in L.A. but thankfully, the upcoming Benny Boy Brewing has found a spot…

..now comes another hard part. Getting all this together. I will update with any future news.

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Featured Brewery # 2 – Dead Bear Brewing

We head to Grayling, Michigan for our second “bear” themed beer spot. The Dead Bear Brewing Company. This member of the Michigan Brewers Guild serves up both beer and food and here is what I would order in a first taster tray…

El Simado Galaxy Session IPA – ” Nice body, low ABV, and a great hop flavor makes this ale very drinkable. Includes Simcoe, El Doarado and Galaxy hops.”

Burly Bear Dry Stout – “Roasted and dry, full bodied and smooth. Just a few words to sum up this delicious addition to our draft selection.”

Ulfhednar barleywine – “Like the warriors of old, this beer kicks ass! Contains michigan hops and local honey.”

Sugga Bear – ” Brewed with marshmellows, brown sugar, Northern Bee Michigan honey, maple syrup, and raisins.”