California—the land of sunshine craft beer. With 518 breweries operating at the end of 2015, California ranks number one in breweries, number one in annual economic impact ($6.887 billion), and number two in amount of beer produced. California is so synonymous with craft beer these days it’s a wonder they haven’t changed their slogan to … [ Read more]
New documentary on California craft beer follows 80 breweries in one month
May 13, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The Wide World of Beer: Southern California Dreaming
March 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, I hosted a series of beer tastings at the bar in the Four Points LAX, then known as the “Beer Hotel.” Those were the days when Southern California was a pretty sad place for beer, so our events featured mostly beers from the state’s northern half, mixed … [ Read more]
Fireman’s Brew coming soon to a tap near you
January 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Fireman’s Brew, a Los Angeles-based craft beer company founded by two California firefighters, just announced via press release it is partnering with Viking Beverages, a Molson Coors distributor, to distribute its beers in Minnesota. Conceived by Rob Nowaczyk and Ed Walker in 2000 after extinguishing a brushfire in the local mountains, Fireman’s Brew was officially founded in 2005. … [ Read more]
A new (tasty) use for recycled water: Beer
October 7, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Mavericks Brewing announced today that they’ve made the first beer in California using recycled water. And not just any recycled water: greywater sourced from NASA. Mavericks, an independent craft brewery in Northern California, will unveil the recycled-water version of their best-selling Tunnel Vision IPA at the Meeting of the Minds Conference on October 22. “California is … [ Read more]
Lagunitas Brewing Brown Shugga’
February 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Lagunitas Brewing Brown Shugga’ 9.9% ABV, 51 IBU Lagunitas turned a mishap into a miracle when a botched batch of their Olde GnarlyWine was transformed into this luscious and frighteningly drinkable seasonal favorite. This amber beauty sports a plush beige head with strong notes of citrus, pine, and candied tropical fruit. A wave of rich, … [ Read more]
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Celebration Fresh Hop IPA
February 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Celebration Fresh Hop IPA 6.8% ABV, 65 IBU An early example of an American-style IPA, it is one of the few hop-forward holiday beers. Celebration pours with a creamy, beige head. It has a deep copper/amber color with citrus and pine aromas. The crisp, herbal hoppiness comes off as assertive but not overwhelming. … [ Read more]
