Guten Tag Everyone!
I hope you all had stellar weekends out there. After reading this post, you'll see that I did too. With nothing to do this weekend, I sought out the premier German restaurant in the Bay Area, Teske's, located in downtown San Jose (1). I saw on their website they were hosting what they call Sommerfest (could that mean Summerfest?) the evening of July 18. I called up my buddy Jordan and convinced him to drive up from Monterey (2), and from my apartment we caught the soonest train to Teske's.
From the inside, Teske's is a little underwhelming. There are plenty of German beer decorations, but the place is dimly lit, and no one was sitting down at the dining tables. There were just a few locals at the bar, and I was wondering if I had gotten the date right. This all changed for the better once Jordan and I stepped outside into the biergarten.
Upon setting foot into the biergarten, we immediately caught sight and sound of a lederhosen-clad band playing "Ein Prosit," meaning "a toast." The patio tables were full, mostly with middle-agers and senior citizens. But who's to say you can't have fun with the oldies? They certainly were not afraid to chime in once the band played "Alice" (3). I'm sure the crowd is even more lively when Teske puts on Oktoberfest.
Although this was Sommerfest, Teske's ran its restaurant with a menu similar to what is usually available. This proved to be a good thing, as I had many choices at my disposal. After deciding between a schweinebraten dish and some beef goulash, I went with the goulash (4). It was simple, rich, and flat-out delicious. Accompanying the goulash was some pickled, sweet red cabbage and garlic mashed potatoes (which are incredible when dipped in the stew). A meal at Teske's is not cheap, as entrees run in the $20's. But when you're in the biergarten with the oompah band and beer flowing by the liter, it's worth it.
Now what about the beer? Teske's served two Spaten beers on tap, one light and one dark. Jordan and I only had the dark, as we noticed how well it went with our hearty food, and it was pretty good. But then, when you're recreating a German summer, isn't any beer good? Teske's also serves a variety of other German beers from the bottle (Erdinger, Bitburger, Spaten) and plenty of schnapps and spirits, which can always compliment a dessert. Overall, you'll be emptying your pockets a little, but if you come during a special event, you'll get some bang for your buck. I do recommend taking public transportation to Teske's, mainly since it's a biergarten and the beer often comes in very large quantities. But do yourself a favor and don't miss the ride home! Jordan and I were having so much fun that we lost track of time and walked 3.3 miles back to my place. A European ending to a European evening. Ein Prosit!
Teske's Germania
You Stay Hoppy California,
Pink(1: I think it's a popular place for German players on the San Jose Sharks, but no luck this time mates)
(2: Jordan, thanks a million. It was quite the Euro adventure!)
(3: It is an Oktoberfest custom for the band to play a song called "Alice." There are a couple short verses and in between the band pauses, serving as a queue for the crowd to shout, "Alice! Who the **** is Alice!?")
(4: German goulash is more of a beef stew, differing from the soup-like Hungarian goulash)
Is there anything more manly than Black Ale and Braveheart?Hello Brewsters,Today I am reviewing Total Eclipse Black Ale from Sacramento's Hoppy Brewing Company. This might as well be called Total Eclipse Blackened Ale, or perhaps Blackened Mocha Bitter Ale. Unlike traditional porters, stouts, and dark ales, Total Eclipse has a very strong burnt aftertaste, one that compares with barbecued food. The taste process starts with a strong chocolate, coffee, toasted malt taste, one reminiscent of other dark beers. You will then feel the bitterness settle in, followed by the ashy aftertaste.
Total eclipse has a very dark brown-black color with a light brown, rich head-- a sort of cappuccino tone. The head wanes but stays with the entire brew, thereby enforcing the frothy coffee experience you may get with a dark beer such as Guinness. Carbonation is very low, and the strength of the malt does not overpower, allowing for a smooth, rich brew from start to finish. This is an excellent beer with a prominent evolution in taste. It comes in a 220z. bottle at BevMo at a modest $3.19 price.The Glass is Just About Empty, a well deserved 4/5.
The Hoppy Brewing Company HBC on Twitter _____________________
So what's on tap next for CaliBrew? I may be making a visit or two to local Bay Area breweries or pubs, and I'll hopefully put up another review in the days to come. Perhaps it's time to plan my next beer-tasting trip. If you haven't already, subscribe to CaliBrew!
You Stay Hoppy California,
Pink
Carrying on from Santa Rosa,
Damien and I stopped for a bite at Mary's Pizza Shack, a small Northern California chain with some killer eats. We split a garlic chicken pizza, and while it was a good size for two full grown men, we probably could have ordered our own individual medium pizzas. The garlic wasn't overpowering and the caramelized onions were heavenly. So we were coming off a fine outing of beer tasting, but I do not lie when I say this was easily one of the best pizzas I've ever had (you heard me CPK). But this is a beer blog, and I don't want to divert too much time away from it.
So we concluded the evening by going to see Bruno, which was hysterical. Go see for yourself. The next day, we left Santa Rosa to go for a hike at Helen Putnam Regional Park, just southwest of Petaluma (home of Lagunitas). It was a small park but had a number of pleasant trails. I had not hiked in years, so this was a rather cathartic moment for me. I highly recommend getting outdoors when on a trip, especially if you're beer tasting.
Further southbound from Southbound, we took a back road to the town of Novato, which lies just off of highway 101. I was on a quest to experience Moylan's, a British/Irish brewpub not too far from the highway. I had hardly read anything about this establishment, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a very open spaced brewery with a large collection of brews on tap. You can even purchase 6 packs and half gallon growlers there, and believe me, after trying just two of the beers, I was quite tempted. Damien ordered the Hopgarten Pilsner, which was quite different from the Czech pilsners I've had before. I don't have any notes on it, but I just remember it being clearly the best Pilsner I had ever tasted (The Glass is Just About Empty). The pint I had was one of Moylan's Special Beer, an English pale ale served fr
om a nitrogen tap. I was very surprised with how much the head was retained throughout the entire beer. Then again, I was surprised with how smooth the brew was from start to finish. Any craft beer that gives me a beer 'stache upon first sip gets the nod. The Glass is Just About Empty (nearly a 5/5).
Moylan's Brewery and Restaurant
Mary's Pizza Shack
Continuing with my trip to Sonoma County and the surrounding area,
My friend Damien and I drove another 16 or 17 miles north from Petaluma to Santa Rosa, home of Peanuts Gang creator Charles Schultz (and locale of Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt). A couple of locals had recommended stopping at downtown's Third Street Aleworks, but we were short on time, at least happy hour time. So we set up camp at the Travelodge and walked over to the Russian River Brewing Company. From what I saw on BeerAdvocate.com and other online beer hubs, RRBC is one of the highest rated breweries in the country! RRBC brews an incredible diversity of beers, including a few different IPA's and a large collection of Belgian ales. Most of these brews, especially the Belgians, are incredibly strong, both in flavor and alcohol content...A patron seated next to me asked about my plans for this blog. I told him I was doing what interested me and I'd see where it would get me. His reply: "It's going to get you drunk."
Beer Esteam: A "California Common," this steam beer shares similarities with San Francisco's Anchor Steam. It's amber brown in color with a lightly toasted lining, and has some cloudiness to it. Taste-wise, it packs a rich blend of caramel and fruit, with a fair balance and a malty finish. Abv = 5.65%. The Glass is Half Empty.
Salvation: This is a strong dark Belgian ale that may remind one of a stronger version of dunkelweizen. In terms of color, it's a dark brown with an amber tint, cloudy, and has a toasted white lining. It has a high level of carbonation and a strong, malty finish. Like Bavarian brews, this is rich in fruit (especially banana). I thought the levels of malt and carbonation were a little too high to my liking, but I still dig this brew with every sip. Abv = 9.00% The Glass is Just About Empty.
Consecration: Now I acknowledge my beer tasting skills to be novice at best, but I cannot give this beer a proper review since the taste is very foreign to me. This cabernet barrel-aged brew has a definite sour taste and has a smooth consistency that is nearly identical to wine. It doesn't have much of a lining to it, and the red/purple coloring to it may encourage your friend to ask, "May I try some of your wine?" I say give it a go. Abv = 10.00%.
Pliny the Elder: This has an amazing floral blend and has a smooth finish in that the hops do not overpower the taste. It's an intriguing double IPA with an orange hue and a fairly clear white head. It is one of the highest reviewed brews on BeerAdvocate.com, so I definitely recommend it (though I prefer the hoppy kick from Sierra Nevada Torpedo). Abv = 8.00%. The Glass is Just About Empty.
Damnation: This is a Belgian golden ale with a sort of juicy aroma and a strong malty kick. I only tried a sip or two of this brew, but I can say it's like drinking a stronger version of Hoegaarden. Abv = 7.00%. The Glass is Half Empty.
Perdition: This "Biere de Sonoma" is primarily fruit-composed. Red-brown in color, this brew has a mellow aroma but a bit of a malty presence. I only had a sip or two so I don't have a score.
These are some of the most carefully crafted brews I've tasted, despite my little experience with beer. I plan to return to this brewey, and next time I hope to enjoy some of their food, too (I heard great things about the pizza). Come on in during happy hour, or catch a baseball game over pizza and IPA.
Official Russian River Brewing Co. Website
__________________Coming up next: Moylan's brewery in Novato, a general recap of Beer Trip #1, and a review of Hoppy Brewing Company's Total Eclipse Black Ale.
You Stay Hoppy California,Pink
"Beer Speaks, People Mumble" - Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Hey Brew Troopers,
Here is the first of my entries regarding my weekend visit to Sonoma County and the surrounding area. I will highlight my visits to Lagunitas, Russian River, and Moylan's breweries, and will include a tidbit about the area that surrounds these magnificent establishments.
When it came to my first beer tasting excursion, I was on a tight schedule and budget. After all, I wanted to make the most of happy hour! My friend Damien and I began our journey at Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, a city roughly 45 minutes north of San Francisco along highway 101. Laguintas is one of the largest craft breweries in the country, and they have been brewing since 1993. Specializing in rich, strong, hoppy pale ales, Lagunitas does not guarantee its brews to accommodate the neophytic palate.
Lagunitas is the place to be on weekday afternoons. Head upstairs to the bar around 3pm and they'll take care of you. Damien and I each got samplers, although pints are served too. Among the samples were three flagship brews--Pils, Censored Ale, and IPA--and three less common brews--Hop Stoopid (22 oz/kegs), Lucky 13 Ale (seasonal), and Imnperial Red Ale (seasonal). I'd like to add that the samples are 4 or 5oz each, so, as Lagunitas patron Jim told me, you'll leave with a buzz (being the man behind the wheel, I only tried about 2oz of each sample). Following some samples or a drink or two, a Lagunitas employee leads a short tour of the brewery and you come to learn how a brewery of a modest size can produce, well, so much beer! The bottling machine alone fills up 230 bottles per minute (13,800 per hour), which is essential in meeting demand from its 47 distributors. You can find Lagunitas across a variety of outlets from Safeway, Whole Foods, corner liqour stores, and Bevmo, not to mention internationally in Canada and, the origin of my beer fascination, Denmark!
As for the beers themselves, I will not provide in-depth reviews, but here are some general comments that may help.
Pils: clean, refreshing pilsner with a hoppy, dry finish. a proper Czech pilsner similar to Czech-brewed Budvar: The Glass is Half Empty.
Censored Ale: a rich, malty brew with an excellent toasted, caramel taste: The Glass is Just About Empty.
IPA: as floral as an IPA gets, from start to finish, appropriate blend of hops and level of bittnerness: The Glass is Just About Empty. Very close to a 5/5
You can find these beers in 12oz six packs, and I definitely recommend them. I do not recall the specifics of the Hop Stoopid, Lucky 13, and Imperial Red Ales too well. However, I would like to note that, at least to my palate, they do not differ too greatly from the IPA. They have different colors and aromas, but the tastes are, on the surface, not too far apart--hoppy, floral with fruity hints. That being said, I encourage you to try them out. I had sampled several beers in that sitting so after a while, the brews tasted similar.
If you want a beer that packs a strong flavor, go with Lagunitas. Definitely get a taste of their most common brews, and introduce them to your friends because they set the bar high for their respective categories. Don't forget to check back for more information and content regarding this weekend in beer.
"Linkunitas" for more on Lagunitas Brewing Company:
Official Lagunitas Brewing Company Website
Lagunitas on Twitter
Cheers,
Pink
First Beer Review Today:
Acai Berry Wheat Ale (organic) 4.0% abv
Eel River Brewing Company, Scotia CA
http://www.eelriverbrewing.com/acai-berry-wheat.html
This is an American Wheat Ale with a rich berry aroma that will, upon first smell, make you think you're drinking juice. The Eel River site also states that four other berries have been added, but the aroma reminds me of distinct acai scent mixed with white grape juice.
A lighter ale, this beer has a clear, golden color and a high level of carbonation. The head is white and foamy. The Acai is prominent in the head, not so much once the beer goes down. This beer is surprisingly bitter for something brewed with wheat malt, but it is equally refreshing with a dry finish.
A simple Americn beer with a lovely aroma, not to mention antioxidants, Eel River's Acai Wheat Berry successfully accompanies a hot summer's day. Share a six pack among your friends with some hot dogs and sweet potato fries. I wish the acai berry was more pronounced like the cherry in Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat, but the beer should accommodate new and experienced palates.
* update 07/12/09
I wanted to add that the acai is much more prominent when drinking the beer from the bottle, not a glass. I tried this out yesterday, and from that experience I would rate the beer closer to "The Glass is Half Empty."
The Glass is Half Full
.
Rating scale (intervals are not equal):
1 = The Glass is Full (will refuse to taste again)
2 = The Glass is Half Full (a few sips, nothing worth ordering)
3 = The Glass is Half Empty (good beer worth a purchase)
4 = The Glass is Just About Empty (exceptional beer)
5 = The Glass is Dry (nectar of the Gods)
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On another note, I will be touring a couple of breweries this weekend. I plan to head up to Sonoma County to visit the Russian River Brewing Co, Laguinitas, and perhaps another brewery or two. I look forward to sampling some quality beers from this area just north of San Francisco, and perhaps I'll take note of a sick place to hike or a local festival or something.
You stay hoppy California,
Pink
Beer Enthusiasts,
Welcome to CaliBrew! My name is Nick Pinkerton (aka Pink), and I'm a college student who, like you, loves beer and everything about beer. I've started CaliBrew as an effort to participate in the beer community--to increase my knowledge of beer, its history, its culture, its essence. Furthermore, I want to create an environment in which you may participate with each other. This site will serve as a forum that is directed toward learning about and celebrating beer, and I encourage all of you to share your knowledge, interests, and opinions with me and with each other.
So why CaliBrew? This site will primarily focus on beers in Califronia, from the numerous breweries--large and small--the California beer culture and evolution of the role of beer in California life. I will be touring breweries, speaking with beer experts and enthusiasts, discovering the phenomenon of home brewing, write reviews, and do plenty of California beer tasting.
I first became intersted in everything beer-related when studying abroad and traveling in Europe. I was living in Copenhagen, Denamrk, home of Carlsberg, but sampled a number of excellent craft beers from the continent. In addition, I learned much abiut beer as a business during my marketing project for an international marketing and branding class. This marked the foundation of something I wanted to carry over into my life as an American, so here I am to share it with you.
I'm a particular fan of pale ales and Bavarian wheat beers.
But whatever brew is in my hand, I always say cheers!
- Pink
