Dec 16th, Liberty Ale

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Beer of the day was Libert Ale from Anchor Brewing Company from San Francisco, CA. Anchor was one of the first craft beer breweries in California, and I’ve always liked their beer. I give this one a 5 out of 5!

The label says;
San Francisco’s famous Liberty Ale was first brewed on the 18th of April, 1975 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Paul Revere’s historic ride. It is virtually handmade by the brewers of Anchor Steam Beer in one of the smallest and most traditional breweries in the world. Liberty Ale is made with the finest barley malt; fresh, whole hops; top-fermenting yeast; pure water; and simple, natural methods that reflect our exceptional respect for the ancient art of brewing. It is “dry hopped,” a classic ale tradition, and slowly completes its fermentation in sealed vats in our cellars. This unique process creates Liberty Ale’s distinctive bouquet and uncommonly delicate, entirely natural carbonation.

Dec 15th, Minott’s Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager

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Today I got Minott’s Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager from Great Northern Brewing Company, Whitefish, Montana. I rarely drink lagers nowadays, but this one is pretty good. I give it a 3 out of 5.

The bottle says;
Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager is hopped first in the kettle and then again before finishing. Result? A refreshing beer with lots of taste. We hope you enjoy drinking it as much as we enjoy making it.

Dec 14th, Abita Turbodog

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I’ve seen this beer around a lot, but I dont know if I ever have had it. Turbodog Ale from Abita Brewing Company, Abita Springs, LA. It’s a really good beer, but it didnt blow me away. I give it 4 out of 5.

The label says;
Turbodog os a dark brown ale brewed with pale, caramel, and chocolate malt and Willamette hops. This combination gives Turbodog its rich body and color and sweet chocolate, toffee-like flavor. Every Abita brew is all natural and handcrafted using the pristine artesian water of Abita Springs, Louisiana that is naturally perfect for brewing.
Live it. Love it. Wear it.

Dec 13th, He’Brew Messiah Bold

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I know I’ve had a He’Brew beer before, but not sure which one. Today’s beer was He’Brew Messiah Bold Dark Brown Ale from Shmaltz Brewing Company, Saratoga Springs, NY. It was great, super easy to drink! 5 out of 5!

The label says;
It’s the beer you’ve been waiting for! He’Brew, the Chosen Beer. A Rich and Robust Dark Brown Ale.
Why is this beer different from all other beers? As commanded, we at HE’BREW Beer have been fruitful and multiplied our offerings. Tradition teaches that the Messiah’s name is Shalom-Peace. With your first sip of this rich, dark, and delicious libation, we hope to offer a momentary taste of microbrewed bliss. If you feel the sudden urge to beat your swords into ploughshares (Isaiah 2:4) or to picnic with the lion and the lamb (Is. 11:6)… Rejoice! Now, our award-winning brewers can’t claim supernatural powers-simply a fanatical commitment to brewing world-class beers: A truly scrumptious mitzvah (good deed)! Through the new Millennium and beyond, may your cups runneth over with the blessings of great beer and great shtick. To the Future! To Bold Life! L’Chaim!

Dec 12th, Alimony Ale IPA

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Super happy to unwrap the Alimony Ale India Pale Ale from Buffalo Bill’s Brewery in Hayward, CA
I’m a big fan of IPA’s, it’s a little sweeter and more fresh then a regular ale and is awesome for hot LA days! It’s rainy today, but an IPA always works! This one was great and it went down fast. 5 out of 5!

The label says;
Good beer, like true love, doesn’t last long. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Alimony Ale, Its Irreconcilably Different

Dec 11th, Sierra Nevada Celebration

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I was almost gonna skip the beer today and have two beers tomorrow instead, but then I changed my mind. I got the 2011 Celebration Fresh Hop Ale from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico, CA.
A very good beer after a long weekend, 4 out of 5!

The label says;
Celebration Ale is a special ale for the holidays. Featuring the first hops of the growing season, this pioneering IPA is full of complex flavors and aromas from the generous use of whole cone American hops.

San Francisco Day 2

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I dont know why our friends thought we might wanted to drink beer for breakfast, but we got to sit outside and have breakfast in the sun, and the banana pancakes were awesome!

It always fascinates me when beautiful sceneries gets destroyed by ugly wires – why not place them underground instead? It’s all part of the charm though I guess.

We walked up the Corona Heights peak after breakfast, great views! 

Downtown San Francisco.

I’ve been to San Francisco many times before but never visited the legendary Haight & Ashbury until today.
It was by Haight and Ashbury that the whole hippie movement started and there’s now a bunch of commercial stores combined with a lot of second hand and tourist trap stores in the neighborhood. 

Lunch at Magnolia before heading back home to Los Angeles.

Dec 10th, 8 Ball Stout

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After a long walk around San Francisco, it was nice to come home to my Christmas beer. 8 Ball Stout from Lost Coast Brewery,  Eureka, CA. 
A beer in my taste, but you could taste the alcohol a little more than desired. I give it a 4 out of 5.

The label says;
This rich, robust stout is made with Pale Malted Barley, Oatmeal, Roasted and Chocolate Malts, Pacific Northwest Hops, Crystal Clear Mountain Water and Ale Yeast.

San Francisco

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Headed up to San Francisco for the weekend to visit friends.
Driving in to the city over the Bay Bridge;

A couple of our friends live in Castro, which they say is “the gayest part of the gayest city”.

When you walk around the neighborhood you can come across windows with dolls in them, cute you may think at a first glance…

Before you realize they have their pants down. This is apparently totally normal.

We walked from Castro to the Mission district to grab brunch.
San Francisco have these cute call boxes on the street corners in case of a fire, I love them!

Chocolate Pudding for brunch, what else?

We kept on walking around the Mission after brunch and checked out a bunch of cute stores and sights. This building used to be the Levis Strauss factory, before I assume, they moved it to China or Taiwan…

Santa Con (people dress up as Santas and go bar hopping) was in San Francisco this weekend, so we saw a bunch of Santas on the streets. I wish I knew about it and I would have bought my Santa hat.

After a couple of hours of more walking, it was time for an afternoon beer break.

“What? No, we’re just hanging out on the street corner.”

My friends thought it was time for some coffee and so I had my very first freshly roasted and brewed cup of coffee.

High on caffein from my first ever cup of coffee, I was not ready to go home and stopped at about one million places to take photos. I love San Francisco though, it is very photo friendly!

More Santas on their way home from the pub.