California Beerzine

There were almost 50 firkins from all over the west coast, with about 40 of them coming from California. All the heavy hitters were represented: Anderson Valley sent down some Hop Ottin’ IPA, Moylan’s had some Hopsickle, and Sierra Nevada sent their Torpedo IPA, something I’d never even heard of.

The contributions from out of state were great, too. Deschutes TLC Strong Ale, Rogue Imperial Red, Avery Uber-Schwein (double dry-hopped Hog Heaven!), Elysian Dragontooth Stout and Wise ESB, and Pike’s Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale from Seattle.

We started out with eight 4-ounce taster tickets, but with 6x more beers than tickets, it was imperative to choose wisely. What are they going to run out of first? I believe Hopsickle was the first firkin to kick, followed by Firestone’s Parabola. This was one of my favorite beers of the day; a 13% Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Oatmeal Stout, it’s one of the 4 blends that went into Firestone Eleven.

Parabola was dark and boozy, espresso and bitter chocolate followed by rummy raisins and a hint of vanilla that must have come from the bourbon barrel. Why can’t I get this at my local pub?!

Of course, there was a great showing of San Diego cask ales as well. Green Flash West Coast IPA and Grand Cru, AleSmith X, Alpine Pure Hoppiness, Lightning American Amber, Backstreet Molly’s Request Porter (yum), Port Old Viscosity, Ballast Point Big Eye IPA with Ginger, San Diego Brewing’s Summer Love Saison, and Stone Imperial Russian Stout and 07.07.07 Vertical Epic.

Other highlights included the BJ’s Jeremiah Sauvignon, their red ale aged in wine barrels, Humulus Bruin from new kids on the block The Bruery, Southern Brown Ale from Los Angeles-favorite Craftsman Brewing, and 21st Amendment’s oak aged version of their outstanding 21A IPA.

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