Founders Imperial Stout

Imperial Stout
10.5% ABV. 90 IBU
Founders Brewery
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Pours black, thick and viscous. Dark burnt brown head.
Just looking at the image now I can almost taste it.
Smells like Dark Chocolate, and Roasted Malts.
From the first sip I was sucked right in to the wonderful overall taste of this Stout.
I know Michigan and that entire area is well renowned for their astounding Stouts.
This is a stunning example of strength, complexity, and balance. Heavy chocolate flavor.
Semi-sweet chocolate, rich bitter dark chocolate, smooth, creamy milk chocolate.
All together a complex chocolate roasted stout.
I need to get some more of this. It is just incredibly delicious.
Currently in Top Three.
Need More.

Founders Imperial Stout
with St. Agur Blue.


The new Gates of Slumber album is out now

The Scourge of Drunkenness...

Hess Jucundus

San Diego, California

Jucundus

Orange Honey Wheat Beer

5.8% ABV, 20 IBU

Brewed with Local Orange Blossom Honey, Orange Zest, and Coriander.

Super smooth, very tasty, and incredibly thirst quenching.
 A very refreshing and delicious beer.
Exactly what a wheat beer is meant to be.

 Not as sweet as I thought it might be, the honey added a sweetness without being too sticky.
The orange did not overpower either, just made it more flavorful, added a citric zestiness.
All the ingredients are blended together perfectly.
The honey left a pleasant smell in the cup after drinking that was actually more noticeable than while drinking. It does not taste like a honey beer but rather,
like a wheat ale that has a little honey in it.
Also slightly seasoned with the coriander but not enough to overpower it.
I was sort of expecting it to be too sweet or coriander-y, but was very pleasantly surprised.
Hopefully they will continue to make this through the summer since it is such a great hot weather thirst quencher. Also relatively light alcohol makes it a good session beer.

We had some on tap and took a growler home. We also got a growler of their most excellent Ex Umbris, and will be sharing both with father in law next week for Father's Day.
Will definitely be going back for more.
Another reason why Hess is so highly regarded around San Diego.

"Of all the spices used in Belgian Beers, coriander is the most common, and curacao orange peel it's most frequent companion. Other styles of Belgian brew may be spiced as they wish, or not, but White almost always highlights the two c's."
Great Beers of Belgium
Michael Jackson

The Abyss Rules & Kyuss Lives

The Abyss

Imperial Stout

11% ABV. 65 IBU

Gold Medal 2007 GABF

Bend, Oregon

"When you gaze into The Abyss, The Abyss also gazes into you."

Most Imperial Stouts taste somewhat similar, with enough nuances to make it interesting to try them all. If you like the style you will probably enjoy most of them. Once in awhile a true standout comes around.

The Abyss Stands Out. Way Out.

This is just ridiculously complex, smooth and tasty. Supremely Flavorful.

Chocolate, caramel, coffee, vanilla, toffee, licorice.

A percentage of The Abyss is aged in Bourbon barrels. It does not taste like bourbon but it does have the wonderful flavors that good bourbon has; vanilla, caramel, oak. This is just ludicrously tasty and has so much going on. It is the Stout other Stouts Aspire To Be.

Stouts tend to be my favorite beers, this is one of  my Top 3 favorite stouts and therefore

one of my Top 3  favorite beers. 

This is one of my favorite bands, doing their version of my favorite song...

Sep. 16 - Toronto, ON - The Sound Academy

Sep. 17 - Guelph, ON - Guelph Concert Theatre

Sep. 18 - Montreal, QC - Olympia de Montréal

Sep. 20 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium

Sep. 21 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero

Sep. 23 - New York, NY - Terminal 5

Sep. 24 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club

Sep. 25 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel

Sep. 26 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade

Sep. 28 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues

Sep. 29 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live

Oct. 01 - Austin, TX - Stubb's

Oct. 02 - Dallas, TX - South Side Music Hall

Oct. 04 - Denver, CO - The Summit Music Hall

Oct. 05 - Santa Fe, NM - Santa Fe Brewing Company

Oct. 06 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre

Oct. 07 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues

Oct. 08 - Pomona, CA - The Fox Theater

Black Flag Imperial Stout

Imperial Stout
American Style
11% ABV, 100+IBU
Beer Valley Brewing
Ontario, Oregon

OK, I will admit I bought this based on cool packaging and the name.
This beer shares a name with a band that played some heavy music, with an intensity that has still not been matched, ever. Fritz and I used to go see these guys at places like the Starwood and the Fleetwood, in and around Hollywood (one sentence/three 'Woods)

First time I ever got maced was (at Bace's Hall) seeing Black Flag with The Adolescents.
Good Times. Saw them with a few singers, never saw them with the new guy. In 1980 Fritz and I had a band and we hit up Dukowski at the Cuckoo's Nest before they played one night because they "stole" our name and wrote a song about it. Chuck politely agreed to announce on stage that we were first. Just like we told him to. Never happened.

Back to the beer

It was inexpensive and just daring to be bought and taken home.
Plus, it is a Stout so I know I will like it at least a little,
and it's sort of pirate themed, and pirates are cool.
Actually liked it a lot. Not that I was expecting it to be bad, I just really liked it.
Poured more of a deep dark brown when held up to light.
Tasted hoppy and chocolaty, unsurprisingly since it's brewed with
"8 different malts and massive quantities of
Warrior, Chinook, Columbus, and Cascade hops"
The Hops definitely make their presence known,
and add to the bitter dark chocolate maltiness and dark roasted coffee flavor.

We enjoyed it and will get some more some day.
 A good, relatively inexpensive stout.

"Tear it down, if it stands there long enough, it's evil."
C.Dukowski

Baypark Fish Co.

Bay Park Fish Co.
San Diego, California

Cool decor. Great service.

Cool Fish

There is also a Fresh Fish Market inside.
I've never bought any from them though because they can prepare it better than I can,
so I just go to the restaurant.

Jose's Spicy Green Chili Halibut Burrito
Had this a couple times now and it is huge and tasty.

Filled with flaky, perfectly cooked (not fried) halibut, and cheese.
First time I had it I thought it had rice in it.
Second time no rice. Not sure how it's usually prepared.
Either way, fine with me.
Served with  beans and cheese.
Smothered in a thick, tangy green chili sauce, like a Salsa Verde.

Kung Pao Calamari
with Lime Mint Dipping Sauce
Tasty, well cooked calamari. Not rubbery, they actually know how to make it right.
I'm a sucker for Calamari. Ha ha (see what I did there?)
Decent portion. I think it goes well with sushi. Slightly crunchy. Perfectly chewy. Very tasty.

 Fries go well with anything.

Ellikai Roll

In; Shrimp Tempura, Cucumber

Top; Spicy Tuna, pressed with Crunchies, 

and topped with Eel Sauce, and Spicy Aioli.

Tarantino Roll
In; Spicy Tuna, Shrimp Tempura, Cucumber
Out; Yellowtail, Ahi, Avocado, Jalapeno
Served seared with Eel Sauce and Wasabi Aioli, and green onions.

Yes, the sushi is as good as it looks. Better actually. I need to work on my photography skills.
They say the Tarantino Roll is actually not named after Quentin but the name of a waiter at the restaurant.

Lost Abbey Ad Lib

5th Anniversary Blend of...

Rye Barrel Aged Serpents Stout

Bourbon Barrel Aged Midnight Expression

Bourbon Barrel Aged Judgment Day

Port Brewing/Lost Abbey
San Marcos, California

Ad Lib

10%ABV

On Tap at Toronado, San Diego

Smells like Dark Fruit, a lot like Judgment Day. Raisins, and a little chocolate.

Some barrel aged goodness in the glass; vanilla, raisin, and an earthy oakiness.

My drinking buddy Michelle said it tasted like, "Rum Soaked Raisins with Vanilla Flambe." Yup. 

As it warmed more flavors of slight chocolate, more vanilla and dark fruit.

Overall it was way more like Barrel Aged Judgment Day than Serpents Stout. Very tasty and not like a typical barrel aged stout which was interesting. More dark fruitiness. I wanted to experience something different, celebrating both Lost Abbey/Port Brewing as well as Toronado's Anniversaries. 

Barrel-Aged Stouts are still my absolute favorite, but this was nice to try.

Brandy my bartender for the day was perfect. Watching her deal with the constant flow of bewildered and overwhelmed customers with the same repeated question, "What's Good?" was humorous and slightly ridiculous. She handled it amazingly well. She was very helpful to me.

First thing she asked when I ordered my first stout was if I would like to order something else while it got to temperature. Great advice. Thanks Brandy. I appreciated the advice and thoroughly enjoyed the results.

Once again, the Toronado Jukebox added greatly to the experience.

I don't go out often so when I do there has to be an acceptable reason, like a not regularly available beer, good music or better than average service.

Toronado combines all three for the perfect Tri-Fecta.

Smells like a darker Judgment Day.Tastes like dark fruit; raisins.
Enjoyed it just fine. Would have it again if given the opportunity but not going to go nuts trying to track it down. Like I am going nuts from my recent taste of Founder's Imperial Stout.

Collaboration not Litigation

Collaboration Not Litigation

(Belgian Style) Strong Dark Ale

8.72% ABV

Avery Brewing/Russian River Brewing

Colorado/California

On Tap at O'Briens Pub

San Diego, California

Caramel Colored pour. Smells like caramel, fresh cooked bread, and malts.
Nice smooth mouthfeel. Tastes like brown sugar, caramel, sweet yeast, malt nuttiness,
and over-ripe banana.
Also a noticeable hoppiness that was nice, kept it from being overly sweet.
Overall delicious and sort of banana nut bread-ish.
As it warmed it got creamier and the flavors came out more.
Some dark fruit rather than the banana.
 As well as the bitterness to balance out the malty sweetness.
Very enjoyable.

From another collaboration (Orange Goblin & Electric Wizard) that was pretty epic....

Orange Goblin is currently on tour, with The Gates of Slumber, Naam, and Roadsaw.
playing in LA Tonight at the Troubadour

Hess Ex Umbris

Out of the Shadows

Ex Umbris
Rye Imperial Stout
9.8% ABV. 65 IBU

San Diego, California

This is an incredibly tasty Stout. Pours a deep, dark chocolate color.
Aroma of rich, sweet malts. Wonderful, smooth and creamy mouthfeel.
Almost like an Oatmeal Stout, but not as sweet or quite as chewy.
Brewed with seven malts, which give it a very deep, dark, rich chocolate flavor.
 Imminently complex and deliciously bittersweet.
Something else going on here, like a spiciness which may be from the Rye.
Mid palate huge chocolate taste. Perfect slightly bitter finish.
Like all good stouts, as it warmed, a richer, creamier flavor and silkier mouthfeel developed. At this point it revealed itself as a clearly superior Stout.  This is as good as the best, and needs to get bottled.
Very glad I live close to brewery.
Perhaps because of the richness of the chocolate, without being overly sweet, my wife determined
Ex Umbris in her top 3 favorites. Yeah, it's that good.
Canning phases are currently in planning stages.

Hess Brewery
San Diego's First Licensed Nano-Brewery
7955 Silverton Avenue #1201
San Diego, CA 92126
(619) 272-9041

Stone Smoked Vanilla Porter & Subrosa

Subrosa

Stonecarver

from 

No Help For the Mighty Ones

From the official description;

"Subrosa=PJ Harvey+Kyuss+Appalachian Murder Ballads+Coven"

Subrosa play some beautiful, dense and atmospheric Doom.

Enhanced by the unexpected addition of violins. The violins add an ethereal dimension to the guitar, bass, and drum driven songs. Not content to just plod along, Subrosa understands dynamics, pace and the spaces between the bombast. Sometimes when bands add unusual elements they just get in the way,

or worse, seem like an afterthought.

In this case they actually add to the songs. 

They are an integral part of the Subrosa Sound,

and set these songs, this album and this band in a class by themselves.

Subrosa creates a sonic mood. A down-tuned, dreamy, doomy mood.

Spacey and almost psychedelic at times and at other times revelling in their unique brand of heavyosity,

almost verging on sludge. The vocals however are beautifully sung, not growled, or yelled.

I have a couple of their other albums and they are really good.

This newest one though, takes them to a whole new level.

 In the end, it's all about balance...

5.9% ABV. 53 IBU

Growler Fill at Stone.

Smells like roasted malts and vanilla.

Thin mouthfeel. 

Tastes like bittersweet chocolate, more bitter than sweet, and vanilla.

The smokiness is very subtle and the vanilla is not overbearing. It is enhancing the Porter rather than dominating it. It would be easy for the smokiness to obscure everything,

or the vanilla to cover everything.

 Instead in this beer we actually get to taste it all without being bombarded by any of it.
 Nice vanilla sweet, dry aftertaste, and more of that bitterness.
Like I tend to always say, "I would prefer more of an alcohol presence." but what do I know?
After all, this is a Porter, not a Stout.
In the end, it's all about balance.

Escondido, California

Pacific Beach Paella Blues

Pacific Beach/San Diego, California
Basically Tapas

The place was cool. Service was, adequate.
Bar was reasonably stocked. They offered Sangria(3 Types)
The basic bourbons
Also had an Absinthe selection.

Paella Valenciana
Saffron rice, chicken, spanish chorizo, mussels, clams,
bell pepper, onion, sweet peas, clam stock.
The rice had parts that were very tasty, the shrimp was frozen, the mussels were tasty and the clams were good, the sausage was really good, the chicken was overcooked. Overall not as bad as it sounds. I'm a sucker for paella and being relatively inexperienced at it I am happy to eat it anytime anywhere.

Parts of the paella were really good. Parts were not so good.
Altogether it was actually pretty darn good.
I will go back and eat some more one of these days.
Not a lot of places serve it so whenever I see it, I like to eat it.

This guy was fantastic...

Tomcat Courtney
We walked in and were surprised to see this guy.
An actual "musician" with an actual "guitar" in his hand.
Were we about to actually hear Music? in a bar in San Diego?
Live Music played by a Musician?
Yeah sure, they claim Blues and Jazz music Nightly, but we just assumed that meant what it usually means,
in other words: Neither Blues nor Jazz. Quite pleasantly surprised.