Tag: Topa Topa

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Best Beers of December 2024

Some months, the best of is better than others. This month, I had three beers that just bowled me over. And they were not one style, they were all over the spectrum. I will go in order of drinking them and not rank since they are within a hair of each other.

First was the 2024 version of Topa Topa Brewing’s Howler DIPA. No ordinary hop attack, this is a coffee DIPA with beans from Dune Coffee and it was a two-pronged attack of coffee and hops in equal measure.

Second is a three way collaboration from Brewyard Beer Co., Ambitious Ales and Five Point Five Brewing. The beer is a fruited pastry beer. No stout, no sour just a Filipino driven ode to JolliBee named Jolli beer and it was spot on. Crust and mango combined.

Finally, Long Beach Beer Lab had an excellent winter ale named Amburana for the wood the beer was aged in. Spiced up with cinnamon and hearty without being overly heavy. A great example of a winter warmer.

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Ojai

It has been quite some time since last I visited Ojai. Enough that I thought it was south of Ventura and not slightly north.

But there are a couple good beer reasons to visit. One is the Ojai location of Topa Topa Brewing. Second is the foraging and unique Ojai Valley Brewing.

The first is a nice Main Street spot with all the TT hits. I started with the red ale, Disco Solstice before moving on to can pours of the 2024 Howler Coffee DIPA and then the collaboration Extra Coasty XPA with Craft Coast of Oceanside. All three were strong but the cold brew taste and aroma of Howler was the clear winner.

After a beer siesta, a walk to OVB was in order and the Pixie Wit and Accidental Belgian at the start of the taster tray were strong. The Sugar Bush Pale Ale was good as well but the closer, Bruja, a barrel-aged stout was weak. The plus though is that the tasting room is also for Side Street Wine, so you can double dip.

For a third option, you can check out the selection at Ojai Beverage. There is a big beer cooler and some slightly overpriced spirits.

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Featured Review – Chief Peak from Topa Topa

The second 12oz can from Ventura County’s Topa Topa is Chief Peak. Which their website describes as “the piney hops are first to arrive. The tropical tones of passion fruit, orange, and gooseberry aren’t far behind.”

Here is what I found… CP pours a dark orange color.  Get a bit of candied orange. Aroma is pine and grapefruit. Rind note is the leader.  Sticky on the roof of the mouth. Woody notes as well. 

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Featured Review – Dos Topas from Topa Topa

I have visited the Ventura branch of Topa Topa on two occasions and really enjoy the space and the cacti design. On the 2nd visit, I saw that 12oz canning had begun and when I saw them in L.A. I grabbed two beers.

First is Dos Topas. This lager pours a near orange but primarily yellow color.  Great to have a malt forward beer.  Cracker.  Little rye spice.  Maybe a tiny bit of pear at the end. Leans to viscous over crisp. Simple and effective.

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A Book & A Beer – Taco USA by Gustavo Arellano


I have really only heard Gustavo Arellano before and not read either of his books or his famous “Ask a Mexican” column. That voice is distinctive and opinionated which is why I like hearing his take on everything from Orange County politics on KCRW or tacos on the Netflix show Ugly Delicious with David Chang.

So, after watching the taco episode (finally, I know that I am behind), I picked up Arellano’s book Taco USA to further my knowledge.

And it was a fun survey of Mexican food and its impact on the United States and its food culture and how the tectonic clash has created all sorts of sub-styles across the country. I learned about so many different dishes but more interesting were the little histories of tortillas in a can or the creation of “American” salsa. Remember “get a rope” from the Pace commercials?

And, thankfully, Arellano’s voice comes through loud and clear in print as well. Whether it is a take down of Rick Bayless or describing a trip to see the shards of a tortilla that supposedly had the face of Jesus on it.

To drink while reading the book, it seems appropriate to head to Santa Ana and the Good Beer Company. Maybe have their Senorita Gose or Abuela Wild Ale.

Or you could pick up something from the not-as-hot now Mexican Lager category. Dos Topas from Topa Topa Brewing or Mexican Lager from Ska Brewing come to mind.

Or as an authentic option, pick up a bottle from La Insurgente, a Mexican craft brewery.

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Where I Need to Visit in 2018

Each year, I know that more breweries and beer bars will open. I also know that I won’t get to them all. But I do have an agenda and at the top of that list are making my first visits to….

…and that is just the start.