|
more hot dudes with beer3.10.10 The Beer Student is to me what ice cream is to fat kids. *Drool*
Recently this classy lad (birth name: Brian Wayne Miller) asked me if I’d write a guest blog for his beer review site, The Beer Student. I had just the story for him… a typical week in San Diego, America’s Finest Beer City. Read it here, and subscribe to The Beer Student. Even if Brian Miller isn’t your scoop of ice cream, he knows shit about beer that you probably don’t. Craft beer is to San Diego what artisanal wine is to Napa. Surely my passion for beer has something to do with living in Calafornia’s micro brew capitol; with over 30 breweries in the county, i’ve come to expect great tap lists at several establishments, most walking distance from my house. So here’s a list of places where i regularly drank craft beer in 2009; pardon if my reviews aren’t all rave… After visiting the original Toronado in San Fran last year, i concluded that its San Diego sibling has big mugs to fill. However, i must give some credit to Toronado for opening its doors and taps to a thrifty crowd every Monday night where for $3 any of 50 something-handles is yours for the drinking. Everyone loves an affordable night out, and those with sense use Toro Mondays as a way to sample beers from around the world that are 9 bucks every other night of the week. Because of the high prices, i simply don’t come here often, which is a bummer. Also a bummer: the food. As my gastro soul mate likes to point out, ‘How do you fuck up macaroni and cheese?’ i see the menu has been simplified in recent months to feature less global flavors (thank god because the beef satay was awful), and more burgers/sandwich options. Although the fish and chips were the best thing on the older menu (since removed), frying sea creatures in the back of a crowded bar yielded a fish-sauna effect that was straight gnarly. It’s off the beaten Ale Alley, but way worth a trip to the East Village. 2 for local drafts from 4-7 weekdays is a deal; the burgers are bomb; the music is always good and the handsome crowd here is mellow. Allagash night was my favorite all year; 7 taps from the Portland, Maine brewery, a town named ‘Foodiest’ in the nation by Bon Appetit Magazine, 2009. Neighborhood is constantly scoring rare kegs and bottles; some of this year’s best included Paradox by BrewDog (Scottish malt whisky cask-aged imperial stout), and the collaboration ale from Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, Life&Limb. Blind Lady Ale House ( read previous entry here.)
What i love about drinking beer at The Linkery is the cask selection (usually 3 at any given time). i personally love cask conditioned ales because their delicate carbonation and warmer temperature allows for a creamy and more flavorful drinking experience. And don’t get me going about the food here. It’s difficult for me to stray from ordering sausage every time, but the ‘everything’ burger (as I like to think of it) is so tempting with its grilled pineapple, fried pastured egg and option to add a link of sausage…?! omg. Craft beer and slow food? i’m a fan. This is usually where i come if i’m invited by others, or already drunk and therefor every idea sounds like the best ever. The tap list is consistently underwhelming. i find there’s either a lot of something i like, or loathe; for instance, on Christmas day the menu was Belgian Strong/dark-heavy, yes! A lot of times though, i’ve struggled to decide on just one beer to order. Earlier in ‘09 i was on a hot wing kick and decided to challenge myself to Ham’s 3rd hottest variety on the menu. Not the most delicious i’ve consumed, but certainly the hottest. (Hot wing mortar attack) >>>>>>>>>>>>> Above all other gripes, i wish Hamilton’s wouldn’t allow dogs in the bar. i do not want to trip on a dog, step on a dog, or worse, when i am in a food and drink establishment. The people who bring their dogs to Ham’s need to get a life, plain and simple. It’s a bit of a North Park institution, this bar. Admittedly i didn’t used to be a huge fan; it’s definitely a place that’s grown on me. It’s dark, loud, and every local’s rite of passage to black out and have a regretable affair (or several) courtesy of Live Wire. There’s 24 taps, always an interesting mix of people, and one of 2009’s best places to drink cold beer and party, IMO. year in beer cont’d12.31.09 i picked up an assignment to write a film critique on ‘Beer Wars,’ a highly anticipated documentary about the macro-brew industry and its effects on craft brewers. While i had mixed feelings about the actual film, the post-premiere party at Blue Palms Brewhouse was dope, particularly my company. Check it:
Todd provided great insight as a featured voice (and advocate of craft beer) within the film; and I must say that he is one of the surliest beer drinkers i’ve ever had the pleasure of toasting. Todd’s input was so pithy and informative that when our interview correspondence was finished, i felt indoctrinated, and a little cult member-like (not the bad kind). While part of me was pumped and ready to storm grocery stores and deface Budweiser displays, i went the pacifistic route and instead settled on making love, not war, by drinking shit tons of craft beer.
First on the list of new brews to acquaint myself with: Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales. i’m ashamed that i wasn’t too familiar with Sam Calagione’s work prior to the film, but sure made up for it during the rest of ‘09. After meeting Sam at the ‘Beer Wars,’ i was charmed by his passion for the craft, and admittedly, that face! Bless you a million times, Sam, for Palo Santo Marron, Indian Brown Ale, Festina Peche, and PUNKIN’ Ale (my favorites!) What a stud. All in all, the article was quite an experience, and one I’m glad to have survived. i’m first to admit that my writing process is both inefficient and unhealthy; usually I get a draft done early, hate it for a couple weeks, tell myself that i suck for another week, have at least 2 all-nighter meltdowns, wake up in bed with my face in the jaws of my laptop, and then, the breakthrough. By this time i have missed my deadline by at least a couple hours. Business as usual. This go-around went something like that. i was stuck in a bad way at around 500 words (quarter way in), and thought it would be a bad idea to go out drinking, so I did. After my buzz wore off sometime mid-morning the following day, i completed the article (from bed), at 11pm. Then i got dressed and went back to Toronado. Mutineer Magazine Issue Release Party: May 2009. To Hollywood again! ‘Twas the big night. i wanted to bring someone special with me to the issue release party, so i asked my best friend, and favorite photographer, Edwin Real to join. i was shaking in my boots when we arrived. i lunged for the first copy of the magazine i could find, grabbed a cocktail and went outside to read it. When i looked down at the cover- low and behold, there was my article, on the cover! It made the cover! It made the cover! This was a very happy moment.
Thankfully the light under which i was reading wasn’t too bright. It wasn’t until i got home that i noticed 2 horribly misspelled words, and a couple other errors. Talk about a roller coaster ride. i didn’t know what to feel, so i stewed. For days. i blogged about it right here, and didn’t care what bridges i burned in doing so. Within a couple days, i was surprised to get a gentle apology letter from the editor, explaining that by some mistake, the copy-edited version version of my story wasn’t what got published. However, my original draft with no misspellings didn’t either. Shitballs.
i’m glad for the experience as a whole; after all, i got to kick it with Todd Alstrom, Sam from Dogfish Head, attend some killer parties, and yeah, i learned a lesson or two. i’m certainly convinced that writing for national publications isn’t what it’s cracked up to be, and is in fact pretty detrimental to my stress levels, liver, and bank account. Until next time, peace, love and Miriam Webster. year in beer cont’d12.29.09 Official Invite for The (F)unemployment Festival of Beers April 13th, 2009 Please attend this event if:
1. You are jobless Sure, not having a paycheck blows, but let’s face it: there’s worse places than SD to spend an unemployed spring and summer. On that note… Cast your bleak outlooks aside for one magical night of affordable pints from around the world. There will be engaging conversation among the dearest of friends, sincere laughter, a-o.k. fish and chips, and probably boobs. It’s $3 drafts at Toronado EVERY MONDAY. Every beer on tap is THREE DOLLARS! A sign of the times in and of itself, this is the perfect festival venue. The bathrooms here are fabulous. Some of us hooligans are getting there extra early, for networking purposes of course. We’re reserving a table, and you should do the same. See you on the Crunk Side… When i lost my job in April, i didn’t flip the fuck out, i threw a party! Thanks to my 35 closest friends and former co-workers for providing enough fuel (in the form of Allagash Curieux) to cause one of the greatest trainwrecks of 2009.
The night started off innocent enough, but by the time the hot man on my radar showed up, i was already warmed up and thought nothing of the guest he brought: his pet (plastic) bear. i even posed with it to make him happy! Not good enough i found out. Dude pushed the bear at my face, so i gave him a love bite.
Then the bear found a warm place. What can i say, i’m hospitable. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Next thing i know, Dude is reaching for the bear at inopportune times- like when someone is trying to photograph us.
… that there was a disagreement in front of the bar, and each of us went our separate ways (he took the bear). Since i cannot be responsible for events which i do not recall, no apologies are necessary on my behalf. i did, however, learn an important lesson at my (F)unemployment Festival of Beers: Be wary of any hipster whose wingman is a pet plastic bear. Granite, OUT.
year in beer: part 112.28.09 Join me as i chronicle an epic year in beer. To name a few cool things, i attended the premiere of the highly anticipated documentary ‘Beer Wars,’ interviewed Todd Alstrom for my first national magazine article, talked beer on the radio, discovered new beer haunts, attended some kick ass festivals, met lots of brewers, drank lots of beer, blogged about beer, and wrote locally printed articles on (you guessed it) beer! It’s gonna take a couple days to recap it all, drink along with me people, if you can hang… Local Beer of the Year Award, BLAH hits the scene and i’m on the radio!
i’d like to award Ballast Point Brewing Company with my own personal Local Beer of the Year Award for their first batch of Victory at Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter, released in January, 2009.
The only time i shut the hell up about this beer (for the brief period that it was actually available due to the small-batch high-demand tragedy) was when i had some in my mouth. My initial excitement for VAS was due to its use of Caffe Calabria’s namesake coffee roast, purveyed right here in North Park. i write this blog entry sipping a cup of Calabria, to give you a hint of my enthusiasm; furthermore, the idea of collaboration between two local businesses really turns me on. i have to admit that i didn’t drink many porters in 2008, let alone imperial porters, or stouts, or much really outside of the Belgian style family of beers with which i’ve been consumed. If 2008 was the year of the Belgians, 2009 would prove to be the year of the Imperial Porters and Stouts. And yes, i credit Victory at Sea for inspiring this year’s winning adventures in beer. It is big, deep and decadent from dark roasted malts, coffee, Scharffen Berger chocolate, and yes, warm vanilla. Victory at Sea can also be credited as the beverage leading to the best sex of 2009, so confessed my good friend Bill Powers who served the elixir at his 50th wedding anniversary. Word.
Blind Lady Ale House, the site which fostered most of my beer consumption in 2009, opened its doors early in the year. There’s so many reasons to love BLAH, because after all its anything BUT. Here’s 3 reasons why i think it’s so bitchin’: 1. Sense of Community Some business owners just get it, and the folks behind Blind Lady are definitely of this breed. Versus ‘moving in’ to a storefront and community, BLAH’s owners took advantage of the former warehouse space, embraced the history behind it (A former blinds business). With events that support the local environment and community as a whole, such as ‘Bike to BLAH,’ and also fundraisers for neighborhood community centers and animal shelters, this establishment goes far beyond pouring good beers and and baking delicious pizza pies.
2. Quality and Price Point BLAH buys locally purveyed ingredients, and their food tastes of it. They make their own cured meats that top their artisanal, Neapolitan style pizzas. i have woken from sound slumber at 2am craving BLAH’s house made pork, and chicken liver pates. Best i’ve had in town. The beer menu boasts a variety of brews that appeal to a diverse range of palates, for prices that just make sense. i don’t recall ever ordering a beer over 7 bucks here; the median price seems to be around $5.25. i’ve been turned on to several new ale styles at BLAH, which means the bar help is helpful; its truly an environment to sip your favorites, and/or experiment with the new stuff. Tangent! Standout beer discovery at BLAH: St. Louis Frambois. Described on the menu as ‘juicy,’ this true to the fruit raspberry lambic is a far cry from the syrupy bottled stuff you’ll find in most bars around town. BLAH is the only establishment i’ve found St. Louis- correct me if i’m wrong. 3. BLAHG Blind Lady Ale House has embraced social media, and its Twitter feed, Facebook updates and BLAHG entries keep patrons informed and enthused. BLAH’s social media presence promotes its brand and yes, leadership in the craft beer movement. Cheers to BLAH. i’ve had countless good meals, brews, memories and blackouts here. To many more! Seems like over the past year i’ve garnered a bit of a party girl reputation. Perhaps 91x morning show host Mat Diablo’s first impression of me stuck…
This, and likely my over-sharing of beer-related information on Facebook and Twitter, prompted Mr. Diablo to invite me as a guest on the weekly segment, Beer for Breakfast. Drinking before 9am, radio hotties, AND hearing the sound of my own voice over local waves? Stick a fork in me, i’m done! Since this was an exciting opportunity for lil’ ole me, I decided to go BIG and profile Victory at Sea for the show. The beer was just about out of stock everywhere… but i laugh in the face of such a challenge, and it made for a good story after all; the boys at 91x sure had fun hypothesizing what i did to get my hands on the coveted bombers. Listen to the clip. It’s kinda skanky, and not an entirely accurate representation of me. (scroll to the bottom of April 2nd, 2009 and select the podcast ‘Beer for Breakfast) http://www.91x.com/91xmorningshow/?tag=padres
The day i met Mat: Gay Pride ‘08, Yelp party @The Tractor Room. i got lei’d and everything!
|
Respect Beer! And Mr. Alstrom. Thank you sir, for co-founding the 
All signs pointed to a happily ever after sort of night, but someone told me (not too long after this photo was taken, and yes, these were all 4 of my beers) >>>>>
