Brant's Beer - Karl Strauss Blackball IPA

As a home brewer - there is nothing better than the sensory overload experienced immediately following brewing a fresh batch of beer - the malt, the hops, the yeast - words just can't describe. I  have always thought if you could bottle up the smell, the taste, the experience - that would be magic in a bottle. Well my friends, I believe I have found that magic in a bottle, and it is Karl Strauss Blackball IPA.   I don't know how they did it, and it might not have been intentional, but the second I opened this 22 oz. bomber, I felt that amazing enjoyment  that follows a great home brew session.

This beauty pours out a nice apricot, golden orange with a bleach white head.  It  is crisp and clean right out of the bottle.  Blackball gives off a big time Belgian yeast aroma, followed by a hint of sweet and a hint of spice, with a nice grassy hop finish. I am not sure that I have ever opened a beer that gives off this much yeast right off the top - it is an amazing. The taste follows down the same great path blazed by the aroma. The first thing to hit the tongue is the distinct earthy, yet bright taste of Belgian yeast.  This is followed by a slight hint of sweetness provided by the coriander - and then, just then when you think you are drinking a nice tipple or Belgian golden - the hops come out of left field and provide a smooth, balanced grassy finish.  This is what a Belgian IPA is supposed to taste like!

This beer is the real deal. Especially if you are a home brewer or love the experience of walking into your favorite SoCal brewery - this is a beer you must try. It provides the best elements of a Belgian and an IPA - and combine to provide a unique beer drinking experience that any craft beer lover will enjoy.

Episode 8: Angel City Brewery

Episode 8, our season one finale, features Angel City Brewery in downtown Los Angeles. We explore the history of the brewery, the cool building where it's located and talk to head brewer Dieter Foerstner about the current beer lineup.

Growing up in Montana, going to school in Minnesota, and landing my first job in Colorado, I am very familiar with the cruel game that Mother Nature plays in the northern states during March, April, and even May.  One day it's 70 and sunny, the next day brings 30 and snow.  Luckily here in SoCal, it's pretty much 70 and sunny everyday so we really don't have to worry about that.  But, in an act of solidarity to my family and brethren up north, in this rendition of Brant's Beers, we are drinking Port Brewing Old Viscosity, a beer sure to warm up the spirits of anyone facing a snowy April day.  And with a name like Old Viscosity and an abv above 10%, this American strong dark ale is a winner.

Old Viscosity pours dark, I mean really dark, like the tint of oil that came out of my brother's truck after he forgot to change it for 8,500 miles.  The beer forms a nice tan, almost almond colored, thick, creamy head.  The rich, malty aroma is strong right out of the bottle.  There are hints of chocolate and bourbon, and a smooth roasted finish, with just a touch of alcohol.  The taste of this bad boy is really what it's all about.  The beer begins with a big, but smooth roasted, malty flavor that coats the entire tongue, like, well, maybe motor oil might, but it in a really good way.  Like the aroma, there are hints of chocolate and bourbon provided by the 20% of the beer in each bottle that is aged in bourbon barrels.  The finish is slightly sweet with just the tiniest amount of hops to balance each sip.  Old Viscosity is a big, malty behemoth that I am certain would warm up the coldest April day, and 10.5% abv, it would also provide a nice buzz to make you forget that it is snowing in spring.

Episode 7: Bootlegger's Brewery

Episode 7 features Bootlegger's Brewery in Fullerton, CA.  We take an inside look at this great brewery - with a cult following - right here in the OC.  You know about Knucklesandwich - find out about everything else that makes this place great right here.

Episode 6: The Lab Brewing Company

Episode 6 is at the Lab Brewing Company in Agoura Hills, where "Dr. Hops" shares some of his wisdom from decades of brewing! 

Episode 5: Surf Brewery

Episode 5 at Surf Brewery. A great spot near the surf! Enjoy!

Trent's Travels-Link N Hops

Spot #2: Link N Hops in Atwater Village

 

This past week I was talking beer with a new friend and he mentioned Link N Hops.  He told me they had great beer from solid local breweries and for an added bonus a wide range of sausages to try out.  So of course I had to check it out for myself.  I like that space is open, it makes it more inviting for anyone.  The interior has a rustic, but clean feel to it because the bar, stools, and tables are wooden.  I also appreciate that it is easy to access the bar and grill area.  Link N Hops have a wide range of local breweries like Golden Road Brewing, Stone Brewing, Eagle Rock Brewery, and Cismontane Brewing.  I went with the Stone American Black Ale and Hot Italian sausage.  Although Link N Hops have exotic sausages like wild boar, alligator, and lamb I went with a classic one.  The American ale went well with the spice of the Hot Italian.  Link N Hops hasn’t been open for a year and they show no sign of slowing down.  So if you want to try a local craft beer and a unique sausage, Link N Hops is the place to be.

Trent’s Travels is a bimonthly blog of places in Southern California that Trent explores to find the best atmosphere and beers in town.  From breweries to bars Trent’s Travels has you covered when in search for a solid local beer.

Episode 4: Cismontane Brewing

Episode 4 at Cismontane Brewing.  This was a great brewery with fun guys! Enjoy this episode. Cheers!

Bloopers from Episode 4

Watch Trent trying to keep it together!

Brant's Beers - Bootlegger's Brewing Knucklesandwich DIPA

There are certain beers that you hear about but never get a chance to try outside of a festival, a limited release party, or maybe a bottle share.  If you live in SoCal you know that Bootlegger's Brewing Knucklesandwich is one of these beers.  This Fullerton made beer has developed quite a cult following and I was lucky enough to get a bottle at a recent trip to the brewery. 

Knucklesandwich pours a clear, bright orange hue with a clean, flat snow white head. The instant you open this beauty, the tropical, citrusy aroma fills the air - once poured and swirled the aroma intensifies  - hit of hops and a smooth slightly sweet malty scent join the tropical citrus aroma.  The taste, wow talk about a big slap of awesome right to the face.  Like the aroma, the first thing you taste is a big hit of orange and tropical citrus, this is followed by a enormous hop kick, and finished with a nice balanced slightly sweet malt finish. None of the flavors are overpowering,  they just flow into each other, like a greatest hits album of beer goodness. 

This beer certainly is a Knucklesandwich and well deserving of its feverish cult following. I have no idea how they pack so much flavor into each delicious sip and frankly I don't care. This beer is simply amazing - I guess it is probably good that you can't just walk into your favorite craft beer store and pick up a Knucklesandwich  everyday. It is a special, unique beer that If you can ever get your hands on it - you just gotta get one. 

Episode 3: Monkish Brewing Co.

Check out our latest episode at Monkish Brewing Co.

Trent's Travels-Blue Palms Brewhouse

Spot #1:Blue Palms Brewhouse in Hollywood

Recently I was looking for a good place to grab craft beer in Hollywood, but more specifically I was looking for somewhere to find local, California beers on tap.  Hollywood can get kind of tricky because most of the places are nightclubs or strictly restaurants.  Since I live walking distance from the heart of Hollywood, I was pleasantly surprised by Blue Palms Brewhouse.  They had a nice list of California breweries that included: Firestone Walker Brewery, Hanger 24 Craft Brewery, Stone Brewing Co., Green Flash Brewing Co., and Beachwood Brewing.  Not to mention the pricing was not too high for being in Hollywood.  That night I just grabbed a beer, but Blue Palms offers an extensive list of dinner and dessert options as well.  This would be a good place if you are Hollywood and want a local craft beer.  It is even better if you saw a concert next door at the Music Box, you could grab a beer before or after.  Blue Palms has good beer, a relaxed atmosphere, and nice change of pace for Hollywood. 

Trent’s Travels is a bimonthly blog of places in Southern California that Trent explores to find the best atmosphere and beers in town.  From breweries to bars Trent’s Travels has you covered when in search for  a solid local beer.

Episode 2:Claremont Craft Ales

NEW EPISODE!!  Episode 2 we check out Claremont Craft Ales in Claremont, California. 

Cheers!

Brant's Beers - Firestone Walker Wookey Jack

Here in southern California, there is a lot to do.  From surfing to biking, restaurants, movies, the beach and more, southern California has a lot to offer.  The great news is that there is a beer that is great to accompany anything you choose to do in the Golde State - what beer might this be - I'm talking about Firestone Walker Wookey Jack.  The unfiltered Black Rye IPA from the Paso Robles brewery is perfect for any occasion - this is a beer that is great for summer, winter, spring or fall.  I purchased a bottle at my local beer store yesterday - almost exactly three months after the bottling date.

The beer pours a dark, deep almost roasted hazelnut brown, that is surprisingly bright given its dark hue.  My pour left a nice inch of cream colored head with plenty of carbonation.  Wookey gives off a malty, sweet aroma with a hint of clean bitter hop aroma.  The taste...mmm, the taste.  This beer really does feature all the taste components of a great beer.  It is malty, sweet, roasted, spicy and of course has a nice, clean hop finish.  It certainly is not a hop bomb - just the perfect amount of hops to accompany and not overwhelm the other flavors that are enjoyed throughout the drink. The combination of flavors, the complexity of the beer - really is what makes this beer great for any occasion, at any location, any time of the year in southern California.

Welcome 2.0

Welcome to Tapped In SoCal - your source for everything that there is to know about the great breweries and tap rooms of Southern California.  At Tapped In SoCal our primary focus is the great beer of our area, but a great brewery is more than just great beer, it is also the tap room environment, the community where the brewery is located, and the people -- brewers, owners, and customers -- who all contribute to the amazing craft beer community here.  Our goal is to connect you to the brewery, take you behind the scenes, and introduce you to the people and places that make SoCal the greatest craft beer scene in the world.

We began as a small text-based blog that has evolved into a web-series, featuring bi-monthly episodes highlighting a particular brewery and tap room.  Our first season just kicked-off in January 2013 - and will conclude in May.  Between episodes stay tuned for weekly features from our tasting and travels across SoCal.

So sit back, relax, grab a SoCal craft beer - and enjoy!

Episode 1: Old Orange Brewing Company

Enjoy Episode 1 of Tapped In SoCal.  We visited Old Orange Brewing Co. in Orange, CA.