Firkenstein 2024

One of the most unique beer festivals out there is Firkenstein, the ghoulish themed cask ale festival from Greg Nagel.

It has a great location in the park area between the Anaheim Packing House and Monkish Brewing. It always has a great roster of brewery attendees and is always a well run event.

Barrel Day – Oaks & Owls

Even in the dog days of summer, I like to see barrel-aged beers released and Chapman Crafted, who recently hit their 7 year mark has a new one out…

“Oaks & Owls is our Barrel-Aged Barleywine aged in Blinking Owl Distillery (from nearby Santa Ana) rye barrels for 18 months. The American oak barrels give this brew a subtle spice with a hint of vanilla.This beer is malty and has notes of sweet bread, toffee, and dried fruit.”

From LA, Now to OC

OC Beer Week is fast approaching and if, like me, you are in Los Angeles, it is A-OK to attend another county’s festivities.  Even though they overlap by a day or two. Because, I assume you attended a few or two LA County beer events during their week.

Beer Review – 15th Anniversary DIPA from Bootleggers

It has been some time since I had a beer from Fullerton’s Bootleggers Brewery. But I found a nice, big beer to break that bad streak on…

This beer comes across first and foremost as strong. Big pine and earthy bitterness dominate. When first opened, I did get an initial grapefruit nose but that faded off quickly. Getting a tiny touch of menthol here too. Quite a different DIPA than the current fruit forward styles but not really to my liking to be honest.

Holiday Cheers – Day 29 – Mulled Memories from Bottle Logic

Getting near the end here, let’s add in a new beer from Bottle Logic Brewing and one of their pastry-esque beers with a memory, a Mulled Memory.

“Apple Brandy Barrel-Aged Mulled Golden Ale with elegant aromas of wintery apple cider curl from the glass of this Apple Brandy Barrel-Aged Golden Ale. A subtle wisp of lactose twists through the base, tethering the delicate apple character to a warming blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and citrus peel.”

1st Visit – Orange County -Part 2

I have to admit that Monkish Brewing has not been on my radar for quite some time.  Not due to quality or anything, they just blew up and getting in was simply harder to either avoid a can drop or big tap room crowds.  

But the Anaheim location has been on my radar, and I finally checked out M2 recently and here is what I found….

The old Anaheim Brewing space seems way more garden like.  Trees and shade on a hot day worked wonders. It is blocked off a bit but not so much that it is darkened.  Way less space inside. Gotta say, better than the cramped Torrance brewery.  Even though the seating is not what one would call comfortable.

If soft hops is your jam and you want to hit two breweries, Monkish and Unsung Brewing nearby would be a great 1-2 punch.

New in Orange County

One could argue that now is a great time to open a brewery. California is re-opening so a new taproom won’t have to rely on 4-packs to go. Maybe that is why an uptick is happening south of us in Orange County with Dueling Ducks Brewing Co.

..who opened last month and Juniper & Morgan who premiered this month…

..which means quite the epic Orange County trip will need to become planned.

Chapman Crafted – Coffee

Chapman Crafted is now more than just beer. On January 23rd at the more beer than coffee hour of 6:00pm, they will launch their cold brew, drip, and espresso that are made with their house blend roast, which they have named, Composition. Also on tap will be their First Roast Coffee Porter as well as other limited-release coffee beers.