Monthly Archives: June 2007

Dharma Initiative Bums

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Train window

Hopping a coachclass out of Los Angeles at high noon one day in late June of 2007 I found myself watching season one of Lost on DVD next to a 250 lb Brazilian on his way to Seattle. I lay down with my sweatshirt balled up under my head and legs crossed as I recline my seat as far as it will go as we rolled north towards Santa Barbara.

As the train went up through the San Fernando valley, my thoughts went back to my days at UCSB. For a small percentage of the population, college is nothing more than grooming school for upper-class aspiring, non-identity frat brothers who usually find their perfect expression on the outskirts of campus in rows of ratty apartment buildings with beirut tables and couches in each lawn and everyone thinking the same thoughts as they all watch the same girls at the same time every day as they bike down Pardall Road to get to class. Continue reading →

Portland AKA Beervana

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Today I am leaving to take a fantastically long Amtrak ride up the coast to Portland, to enjoy the city and its beers. For the last few months, I have been jonesing to do some real traveling. And now its time to quit talking about it and actually get out of LA for a little while. Needless to say, I am superstoked.

There’s so much beer related stuff to do in Portland, brewery tours and whatnot, and I know I’m going to want to bike around and discover new bars and beers all day. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of material for the site.

Now I just need to figure out where to go.

When I ran into Hot Knives two weeks ago, they had recently returned from Portland. I told them I am really into a lot of Rogue’s beer (Dead Guy, American Amber, Chipotle Ale), and that if I don’t go to the brewery, I at least need to check out their public house. I asked for their input on where else to go, and they replied almost simultaneously, “Belmont Station.”

Damn straight I need to go to Belmont Station. Have you been to their blog? Speaking of which, I just checked over there right now, and in their last post, they’ve practically mapped out a potential route for me. Done. I have never even heard of Roots or Ninkasi, not to mention Max’s Fanno Creek. But now they are all on my radar.

What else should I keep in mind that is unique to Oregon? Obviously there’s Widmer (meh) and Pyramid (less meh). And then there’s Deschutes. We get Mirror Pond, Black Butte, and the occasional Inversion IPA down here, but I’m sure there’s more flavors to choose from. And I’ll be damned if I don’t try some Hair of the Dog while I’m up there.

Well, gotta go catch my train. Beervana here I come.

Go check out this great post: Portland – Every day is a beer fest.

Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

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Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

Anderson Valley keeps turning up in all the best beer stores in LA. Whole Foods in Santa Monica has six packs of Hop Ottin’, Barney Flats, and Boont Amber on the shelves. You can get their Boont Amber on tap at Sonny McLean’s, the Otheroom, and the Daily Pint. I don’t know where you can find Barney Flats on tap, but a couple of weeks ago I picked up a 22 oz. bottle for $3.99 (tax & CRV included) at Pagliari’s Liquor on Main.

This stuff looks thick. I know this is an overused phrase when talking about stouts, but this beer really pours out like motor oil. Dark brown head that doesn’t leave rings around the side of the glass, it slides right down with the beer as you drink it. Probably too heavy to stick.

Sugary aroma with a malty chocolate flavor. The head may not stick to the glass, but it sure does stick to the inside of your mouth. A delicious oatmeal stout. You might want to use a fork.

I don’t know if I could handle a full six pack, but a 22 oz. bottle was fantastic.

  • Appearance: 3/3
  • Aroma: 7/12
  • Palate: 3.5/5
  • Flavor: 16.5/20
  • Overall: 8/10

Rating: 3.8

Win Flying Dog Schwag

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Hunter S Thompson

There’s a contest going on at the Flying Dog Blog, and the winner gets a sweet Gonzo beer gift set. Read on for details from flyingdogblog.com:

We recently had a visit from our good friend, Matt Mosley, who brought this HST mannequin that he had commissioned for his recent birthday party. This thing is scary real and even has an original “Free Lisl” (Google it) button to boot. To make a long story short, after a week of freaking out Matt’s wife, she made him get it out of the house and he was nice enough to let Flying Dog Brewery become Hunter’s temporary home. Matt, who knew Hunter personally, told me, “He would have hated this thing.” So here’s my question to The People’s Republic: What do we do with this mannequin of the late, great, Dr. Gonzo?

Email your answers to bullshit@flyingdogales.com, or you can leave a comment on the blog (registration required, unfortunately). I submitted my entry a few days ago and so far I think I’m the only one to answer. Hopefully this post will give them a few more page views.  Head over to the Flying Dog Blog.

Lost Coast Alleycat Amber

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Alleycat

I bought this bottle at Lucky Stop Liquor on Abbot Kinney and California, the same place I picked up Black Sheep’s Riggwelter for last month’s Session. I don’t really see Alleycat too often, maybe at the Ralph’s on Cloverfield. While it’s not too prevalent, their Great White and Downtown Brown are practically staples around town.

Alleycat AmberThe best thing about this beer is probably it’s label. Isn’t that cat cute? He’s drinking beer in a trash can! Adorable. Kind of like a pirate Heathcliff. Oh wait, I hate Heathcliff. Moving on.

It pours out gorgeous. Look at that creamy head in the top picture. Aroma is not bad, malty and sweet, but this beer loses me after a couple of sips. It has a sort of sour bitterness to it that distracts from the rest of the flavors.

I didn’t go crazy for this beer, it’s not one of my favorite ambers, but it’s definitely still drinkable. Give it a try if you’re curious, but I say instead of Alleycat, pick up a bottle of Lost Coast’s Great White or 8 Ball Stout.

  • Appearance: 3/3
  • Aroma: 8/12
  • Palate: 3/5
  • Flavor: 13/20
  • Overall: 6.5/10

Rating: 3.35

It Takes a Lot of Beer to Make Wine

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Hollister GrowlersOn Wednesday, the LA Times’ Food Section had a cool article about the growing Santa Barbara beer circuit. Mentioned in the article were the town’s new brewpubs, Hollister Brewing Co. and Downtown Brewing Co., as well as good ol’ Firestone Walker.

It’s exciting to think that Santa Barbara, which is mainly known for its wine, seems to be emerging as a new haven for craft beers. Watch your back, San Diego.

One thing’s for sure, I need to visit the new Hollister Brewing Co next time I’m in SB for a pint of their Smoked Hemp Ale.

From the LA Times:

The pub is a big, airy place with stylish slate-gray walls. A low wrought-iron fence worked in a pattern of barley and hop plants separates the outdoor dining area from the sidewalk. Beyond the dining room is the brewery, displayed behind a big plate glass window in a room lined with gleaming white tile. Beside brewing here, brew master Eric Rose is also planning to age some beers in used barrels — dark beers in the Bourbon barrels, he speculates, maybe a Belgian ale spiked with dates in the Pinot barrels.

The beers he makes at the moment include a couple of pale ales, an organic amber ale and a jokey “smoked hemp ale” (“The J”), made with smoky German yeasts and sacks of sterile organic hempseed, which gives a subtle nutty flavor.

Rose has far wilder plans, including some beers fermented with 100% Brettanomyces yeast. This is wine country heresy — most winemakers are desperate to stamp out the dreaded Brettanomyces, which gives a flavor variously compared to meat, mushrooms, leather and elastic bandages. But Rose likes its effect on beer. His eyes shine as he exclaims, “It gives a sour lemonade finish!”

Read the rest of the article by LA Times staff writer Charles Perry: Something’s brewing in Santa Barbara wine country

When Blogs Collide: H.O.T. Dog and Hot Knives

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Last night I went to an awesome beer tasting at Library Bar, hosted by Beer Chick Christina Perozzi. I will eventually write up a report on the night’s events, right after I finish my post on the Saint Arnold’s brewery tour.

Library bar

The highlight of the evening was meeting Evan and Alex of Hot Knives, the preeminent beer bloggers of LA. They also blog about food and cooking, and occasionally work beer into their recipes. How about some Levitation flapjacks or Stone-inspired ice cream? Come to think of it, I could go for a chocolate stout float right about now.

These guys are a great inspiration for a blossoming beer blogger like myself. They tell great stories and aren’t afraid to shit all over the Beer Establishment. Ever tried a Velveeta quesadilla right after a beer bong? (Further reading: In the Busch with A-B’s Specialty Beers)

On occasion they are known to wear bucket hats and yellow shades while speaking through clenched teeth and smoking from cigarette holders as they use their press credentials to gain entry to the biggest wine convention this side of the Mississippi. (Furthur reading: Food and Wining in Los Angeles)

If you’ve clicked all these links and still haven’t got enough Knives, you will also enjoy their Reverse Sideways trip to the Stone Brewery last December.

Wörtwurst, dry your eyes. My man-crush has officially transfered. Deal with it.

Dave with Hot Knives