If you're hoppy and you know it...
Ahoy Beer Lovers!
I just got back from Tahoe this afternoon, and I have some great stuff to share with you about my 24 hour trip to Tahoe. I'll continue with yesterday's entry on the Hoppy Brewing Company, tell you all about Foam Fest in Crystal Bay, NV, and I will tell you a little bit about North Shore Tahoe as well.
Picking up where I left off at the Hoppy Brewing Company,
My time was short but still well spent at the Hoppy Brewing Company, a brewery and restaurant not far off of I-80 in Sacramento. I previously mentioned HBC when I reviewed their Total Eclipse Black Ale, a terrific brew indeed. Anyway, I got to sample more than just TEBA at the brewery. In fact, I sampled nine beers total; its $6.75 for a sampler, and you get 3 oz. of each beer per sample. Under seven bucks for 27 ounces of quality craft beer? Worth it. If you take a look at the sampler picture I posted in the previous entry (or the album), you will see a short description of the main beers. In addition, i got to sample two specialty brews, a double IPA and a German-inspired auburn lager. Here's a little about each beer.
Golden Nugget: the lightest of the beers, but rather impressive. It's actually a light ale but tastes a little like a Czech pilser with that spicy quality. If you ever need a keg, I recommend getting this; everyone will dig it.
Liquid Sunshine Blonde: It has a strong citrus quality, but one that isn't overwhelming. Very smooth and balanced.
Hef'f-a's Weizen: traditional Bavarian Hefezeizen served with a lemon. It's actually a little stronger than most HW's, with an abv of 5.4%. The banana is noticeable upon contact. One of my favorite HBC brews.
Solar Saison (specialty): sort of an intermediary of hefeweizen and dunkelweizen. There's not a strong wheat presence though. Good brew nonetheless.
Hoppy Face Amber: basically your traditional IPA, very hoppy and floral. Yum.
Super Hoppy: a double IPA that is not as floral but very bitter and dry.
Stony Face Red Ale: a burgundy colored brew with a bit of a chocolate malt finish. In general, I'm not a fan of red ales, but many beer drinkers are so don't write this beer off.
Earl Hopfarm Auburn: incredibly smokey flavor but not too hoppy. Sort of a smokier Firestone-Walker DBA. Upon first sip, I thought it to be my favorite of the beers, so I definitely recommend it.
Total Eclipse Black Ale: how I love my TEBA! Unlike the "blackened ale" I described in my review, this was much richer in the coffee malt. It was still terrific. Just thinking about it makes me want to run to BevMo.
I wish I had time to actually tour the brewery, as I'm sure it's different from the restaurant itself. The restaurant is fairly contemporary looking and is friendly for all audiences. It was fairly quiet when we went (1:45 pm approx), but I assume this place attracts plenty of locals at night. As for the food: excellent. I had a luau chicken sandwich on ciabatta with pineapple and baked kettle chips. Prices are moderate (around 9-12 bucks). The best part of HBC was the back of it's menu.
On their child policy: "But be aware, children left unattended will be towed at owner's expense."
On their right to refuse policy: "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone regardless of gender, race, religion, age, physical condition, physical size, who you know, or who you are."
So come hungry and come thirsty to Hoppy Brewing Co. It's a great place to check out on your way to Tahoe any season of the year. My glass is just about empty for HBC. Cheers!
By the way, please check out my Twitter page and follow me here. And if you haven't already, please subscribe or follow my blog. I'll post pictures and more updates very soon!
You stay hoppy California,
Pink
Hoppy Links:
Hoppy Brewing Company official site
HBC Twitter
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