pale ale

Marin Brewing Company, Larkspur, CA

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2014-04-20 12.07.53     2014-04-20 12.08.23

2014-04-20 12.25.23      2014-04-20 12.11.04

 

I stopped in the Marin Brewing Company in Larkspur, California.  I just had to try the Raspberry Trail Ale and although it’s not particularly my style I did enjoy it.  It was light and bready with a distinct flavor of raspberry.  Then I tried the Altar Boy Belgian style pale ale which tasted like a fruity Belgian ale.  I also sampled the Mt Tam Pale Ale which is their flagship and turned out to be a smooth, solid pale ale.  And, finally, I tried Earl which is an Imperial IPA.  This was rich and heavy, malty and hoppy.

2014-04-20 12.08.32     2014-04-20 12.26.02

 

Triple Voodoo Brewery and Taproom, San Francisco, CA

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2014-04-17 18.06.01     2014-04-17 18.13.46

At the Triple Voodoo Brewery and Taproom I enjoyed small samples of four beers.  The first one I tried was Breaka’ Dawn, a Belgian inspired pale ale which was smooth and malty.  The next beer was Anarchy IPA which both smelled and tasted of hops with a solid bite.  Third, I tried the Inception Belgian golden ale which is their flagship beer.  Belgian style beers are growing on me and this one was very good.  And finally I saved the King Leopold Belgian stout for last.  This stout is brewed with both malt and oats and is smooth and rich.  The taproom has an artsy industrial feel to it and was pleasant to relax and enjoy the beers.

2014-04-17 18.28.28     2014-04-17 18.12.12

Blue Mountain Brewery, Afton, VA

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2014-03-18 15.15.46     2014-05-13 20.55.13

I stopped in at the Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton, Virginia for lunch and, you guessed it, a beer.  I ordered fish tacos which were excellent.  There were three tacos and they were large and they came with cole slaw.  Delicious.  I enjoyed the lunch with Rye Barchetta, a full-bodied rye IPA and Full Nelson, a very drinkable pale ale.  The atmosphere in the restaurant/brewery was really nice and I’d definitely stop there again if in the area.  Oh, and I liked the Full Nelson so much that I brought a six-pack home.  I’ve given away a few cans to close friends that are “wrestling” with some of life’s issues and I felt this would be a thoughtful gift.  They were both very grateful.  The last two cans are for me!  I also brought home a bottle of the Local Species Belgian but haven’t tried it yet.

Roanoke Railhouse Brewery, Roanoke, VA

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2014-03-18 18.35.37

I was fortunate enough to stop at the Roanoke Railhouse Brewery in Roanoke, Virginia.  When I arrived, the owner, Steve, stopped everything he was doing an spent the next hour pouring his beers for me, describing each in detail, and discussing the craft beer scene and the general business climate of Roanoke.  Steve is great to talk with and a great brewer.  The first beer I tried was the Track 1 Amber Lager which I found to be not too sweet but full-bodied.  The second beer I tried was the Broken Knuckle IPA which I found not too bitter and very drinkable.  And the last beer I tried was the Switch Monkey which is a Belgian pale ale, light and very easy to drink.  The brewery is in a converted warehouse space and has plenty of room to hang out and enjoy a few beers.

Good People Brewing Company, Birmingham, AL

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2014-03-10 15.01.51

I was with a Good Friend when I stopped in at Good People Brewing Company in Birmingham, Alabama.  In fact, my friend had just treated me to a gourmet lunch and had given me a grand tour of Birmingham.  I guess that’s what they mean by Good People.  We concluded our time together at the brewery and I enjoyed a flight, tasting a number of beers.  I started with the Bearded Lady American Wheat Ale which was the best wheat beer I’ve ever had.  I typically stay away from this style because wheat beers are not my preference.  But, this one had a hoppy flavor to it and I enjoyed it.  From there I moved on to the Pale Ale which was smooth with a slight hoppiness to it that I also enjoyed.  Next was the IPA which is a great go-t0 IPA; flavorful but not too hoppy.  I then tried the Brown Ale which was smooth but not too sweet or too malty.  And, finally I tried the Coffee Oatmeal Stout which had a rich coffee flavor.  In the past I had also had Snake Handler Double IPA, thanks to my friend, and this is also excellent – very hoppy.  In short, I enjoy all of these beers and would consider Birmingham as a possible relocation place in the future ;~)  The brewery is a really cool industrial/warehouse space.  Old extra-large electric wire spools are used for tables.  The bar is an huge circle.  And, our bartender was a really nice guy who was very informative.

Orlando Brewing, Orlando, FL

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2014-03-02 13.10.55

I stopped at Orlando Brewing in Orlando, Florida on the way from the airport to the hotel for a quick beer and enjoyed the Grapefruit Pale Ale so much that I bought some to take home.  I’ve come to realize the thing I like about IPAs is the taste of grapefruit that often accompanies them.  This pale ale has enough of a grapefruit flavor that it really satisfies my taste buds.  And, if you think about it with the hops, malt and grapefruit you’re basically drinking fruits and vegetables, it’s like health food in a bottle.

2017-05-03 19.55.58

Back at Orlando Brewing.  Enjoyed Papa Midnight with delicious chocolate, vanilla, almond and especially coconut flavors.  This is like dessert in a glass.

2017-05-03 19.52.11

Also enjoyed Girl Stout chocolate mint stout.  So creamy and delicious.  Also like dessert in a glass.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA

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2013-06-11 13.36.35     2013-06-11 19.46.00

I stopped in at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico, California with a good friend for a brewery tour.  Being one of the largest craft breweries in the U.S. and also one of the oldest it was quite a privilege to visit.  And, Chico, California is quite a drive from San Francisco, making the trip a very intentional commitment.  The tour was well worth the trip.  We saw the entire operation.  Sadly, I have very few pictures.  The one of the hops reminds me of the stickiness on my hands from handling them, but the smell was oh, so worth it.  We also enjoyed lunch in the taproom.  The turkey melt was delicious and it washed down smoothly with a Pale Ale.  I also enjoyed a No. 4’s Pale Ale to support Ales For ALS.  Another dear friend lost a family member to ALS, which has likely claimed a friend or family member of most folks these days.  I am glad the craft brew movement is supporting research into this disease.

2013-06-11 14.45.05