September 21, 2005ESCONDIDO Is there a better way to pursue an education in malt and
hops than by attending a beer festival, notebook in one hand and a mug
in the other?
If there is, do me a favor. Don't reveal it.
 But you can test my theory Friday from 6 to 11 p.m., when the 11th
annual San Diego Festival of Beer occupies its usual warren of
barricaded downtown streets. The entrance is at Columbia and B
streets, and the $25 admission covers 10 4-ounce samples. (The fee
also funds cancer research, making this a guilt-free bacchanal.)
To prepare for the festival â€" dedicated beer professional, that's me â€"
I attended Stone Brewing's ninth anniversary party, where many of the
same breweries were represented, on Sept. 10.
My notes are little smudged â€" someone should invent beer-proof ink â€"
but they contained some slivers of news and the odd beer review:
(Beers are rated from 0 to 5, with 5 being best.)
Stone, one of the nation's fastest-growing breweries, will be
installed in its new digs in a week or two. The 50,000-square-foot
offices house a brewhouse that is four times as large as its
predecessor. Other features include a gift shop, tasting area and,
eventually, a restaurant. The address: 1999 Citracado Parkway,
Escondido.
Stone's Ninth Anniversary Ale (on cask)
Delightful floral/herbal aroma. Slippery smooth and buttery â€" this is
a sensual drinking experience. Great with cheese.
Once more, Victory is ours. The little Pennsylvania brewery's
on-again, off-again relationship with San Diego County retailers is on
again. A fan of their Prima Pils, I raced to their booth at Stone's
party to reacquaint myself with Victory's work.
Victory HopDevil Ale
Beer fusion German malts and American hops, Eastern polish and a
Western-inspired embrace of the hop flower's tart, astringent, citrusy
qualities. HopDevil's 6.7 percent alcohol level makes it too strong
for a session beer, but its depth and zest make it a delightful
accompaniment to a meal.
Speaking of the Keystone State, Joe Cuozzo, formerly of Coronado
Brewing Co. and the late Sports City, has a new gig with Rock Bottom
in King of Prussia, Pa.
Pizza Port's San Clemente outlet has a new brewer: Josh Miner, a
Southern Californian who is coming home after a stint studying brewing
in Scotland.
Pizza Port, San Clemente, Rivermouth Raspberry
Twizzler-red with an aroma that smacks so powerfully of raspberries, a
big whiff might stain your nostrils. Berrilicious flavor, too, with
the malts making a late entrance. Fruitiness fades at the finish, but
the fizziness and initial berry-berry sweetness take this brew
perilously close to Beer Soda territory.
La Jolla Brewery has moved into the old Hops! restaurant at
University Towne Centre. Nice to see the space being used again.
La Jolla Brewery, Sundown Brown Ale
Deceptively easy drinking â€" keep an eye on the 7.1 percent alcohol
level this imperial brown ale is chewy and bright. A gold-medal
winner at the Los Angeles County Fair.
Craftsman Brewing Co., Pasadena, Biere de Mars
Sour cherry aroma. Barrel-fermented with Brettanomyces, a wild yeast
strain, this Biere has plenty of fruit flavors, banana foremost among
them.
Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont, Colo., Milk Stout
Creamy, but not milquetoasty. I drank this while devouring a Louisiana
hot link that had been recklessly slathered with deli mustard and
relish. The stout had enough flavor â€" Milk Dud-y hints of cocoa and
caramel â€" to extinguish the fire.
If you haven't heard of Cerveza Tijuana, you're not paying attention.
The Baja microbrew's booth drew good crowds at the Stone party; it
will be prominently featured at Friday's bash; and it is the hometown
sponsor of Tijuana's First International Beer Festival, Oct. 21-23.
Events will be held at the Caliente racetrack and on Avenida
Revolucion.
© 2010 San Diego Brewers Guild