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Yeah i got laid off, but later that month i started writing my first national magazine article– about beer!
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:
 Respect Beer! And Mr. Alstrom. Thank you sir, for co-founding the best online beer resource for nerds like me. >>>>>>>>>>>>
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.
Official Invite for The (F)unemployment Festival of Beers
April 13th, 2009
Please attend this event if:
1. You are jobless
OR
2. You have a job, and a few extra bucks for others’ festival funds
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.
 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) >>>>>
… 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.
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!
i’m going to start a weekly entry on saysgranite, inspired by my pal Edwin Real’s blog entry (on ‘Quiet/Loud Observer’) called ‘Being a good San Diegan.’ It’s no secret E and i are SD’s indie business cheerleaders, so what better way than spread our enthusiasm or disenchantment with these locales here on our blogs. i decided to take my ‘consumer report card’ to the next level by assigning a grade for each of the places i visit… stay tuned for the successes and failures!
Following is my first list…
Yes, i have fantastic taste. No, i am not 400 lbs. Yet!
Yakitori-Yakyudori
A
(photo by Edwin Real)
In my top 3 SD restaurants, Yaki never disappoints. Try the beef tongue skewers, fried chicken, wings, beef salad bowl, and DON’T miss the Japanese Rice Porridge. If the BBQ pork is on the specials menu, get it while you can (only about once a week so i’ve found).
Caffe Calabria
A
Get your morning buzz at this North Park roasting house and cafe. Espresso shots are fab, and my drink of choice is the Viennese; espresso, steamed milk, honey and cinnamon. Bella!
Cardamom Cafe
B+
i come here for one reason: the house coffee which Cardomom buys from Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. It tastes like blueberries, and if coffee and berry sounds funky to you, disprove your hangups at Cardamom. i think it’s a bit ridiculous to charge 8 bucks for a croissant breakfast sandwich with black forest turkey of all things, but i’ve been wrong once before, and this could be twice. Call me out if you think so!
Zanzibar
C-
This place is bordering on suck, hiding behind the visage of an aesthetically pleasing storefront and interior (downtown location), sub-par beverages and meals lurk. The breakfasts are over priced and terrible; the desserts look lovely, but if a cup of drip coffee isn’t palatable, ordering confidence for anything else is pretty much shot.
Neighborhood Ale House
A
(photo by Edwin Real)
The tap list fluctuates each week and the spicy cajun burger is something of East Village legend. 2 for 1 local pints Mon-Fri-= score! Cheese plate and chorizo corn dogs are also the y-u-m. My favorite taps on now are The Lost Abbey’s ‘Gift of the Magi’ and The Bruery’s ‘Two Turtle Doves.’
Hamilton’s
B+
The tap list features either a lot of brews i love, or loathe. Christmas day for the Charger’s game there were around 10 Belgian Strong Dark Ales including N’ice Chouffe, Delirium Noel and St. Bernardus Christmas Ale… win! Other times i come here and i’m turned off by an IPA/Pale Ale heavy menu. Look up ‘balance’ in the dictionary and maybe i’d visit more often.
Jack in the Box
B-
i swear this wasn’t the result of a wake-n-bake. i craved a sausage breakfast sammy, and to Jack in the Crack iventured. It was ok.
Coffee and Art
A
Wow, undoubtedly the best coffee i’ve had downtown. They brew Calabria’s roast, the space is inviting with local revolving art work, and the street-side smoking patio caps the whole experience. Do yourself the favor and walk two blocks past Zanzibar for REAL coffee… 6th and F people. Do it.
The Vine
A-
i am a cheese plate hunter. i’d heard The Vine has a good one, but hadn’t the chance to come here til a handsome man took me this past week. Indeed it was one of the better in town with a European or American option to choose from; we went Euro, and the sage white cheddar was divine.
Sunshine Co.
B
Kudos on the Wednesday half price pitcher deals, but the tap list itself left tons to be desired. We settled on a pitcher of New Belgium 2 Below and Bass Ale. Yikes. The smarmy crowd is great for feeling better about your own life and situation; for this, and my hot male company, a solid B. (See examples below)
(Interesting bike seat ornament outside of Sunshine Co. Photo by saysgranite.)
(photo by saysgranite)
(Degenerate mounting the steel horse. Photo by my date)
Saguaro’s
B
The pinnacle (or abyss) of last week’s regretable breakfast choice. Granted, it was one of the tastier burritos i’ve had here ($4.50 for a bacon, egg, cheese and potato variety), but the grease was still kickin’ at 5pm which leaves me a bit apprehensive about that next visit…
Pizzeria Luigi (North Park)
A
(photo by Edwin Real)
YUM. My favorite slice is jalapeno, pineapple, pepperoni and ricotta. On the quick, hot, delicious, and cheap… Love the sauceless pizzas at this joint! Golden Hill/North Park locations.
The Polaroid picture screams nostalgia. As a kid there was little else cooler than snapping photos and watching them develop before my eyes. Recently a friend turned me on to the iPhone application ShakeItPhoto. You can use the built-in camera within the application, or import any of your existing photos for a Polaroid effect picture; your iPhone screen simulates the Polaroid photo dropping down, complete with the clunky old device’s trademark sound, and yes, if you shake the phone you can watch the image develop even faster.
Recently I embarked on a long, strange trip. From Hawaii to Chicago and back to the finest city in America, I saw a lot, ate a lot, and decided that San Diego is where I want to grow up. Following are some of my favorite photos, using ShakeItPhoto’s Polaroid effect.
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