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.