Eat, Drink & Be Merry...

Last night I ventured out to Eagle Rock for some beer & burgers courtesy of Eagle Rock Brewery and Grill 'Em All. Every Thursday, Friday & Saturday ERB invites the best of the best food trucks to serve their drunken patrons and help soak up all that microbrew. Last night, The Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race" winner was in the parking lot serving up one of the best burgers in LA........

The Beer:
-Solidarity: English Dark Mild Ale | Pours Dark, Drinks Light, Coffee notes, Smoky...could go for another one as I'm typing this!
-Manifesto: Belgian Style Whitibear | Pours Golden, Citrus, Lemon Peel.....Great brew on a hot summer day!
-Revoulution: American Pale Ale (APA) | Pours light Amber, Clean, Crisp and Refreshing!
-Populist: American IPA | Pours Amber, Bitter, hints of pine needles reminded me of Christmas but 7.00% ABV will make you HOP till you drop!

The Food:
I went for the Hanna Montana + Bacon because Miley Cyrus is down with O.P.P. The Burger was HUGE, put it this way, the "Where's the Beef" lady wasn't gonna be showing up to this Party!! For a side I got the 'double dipped frites' which i think is just a fancy word for Fries......you fancy Huh!?!!?

The Verdict:
For $20 I got 4 mini beers, a not so mini burger with fries and a good time. I'll definitely go back again when another food truck I want to try is there (Lardon???) and I'll probably grab a growler of Solidarity next time too.....tell em Large Marge sent ya!!!

The Champagne of Beers...

This New Years I said adios Ace of Spades and hello Sam Adams Infiunum. I had heard about this collabo a few days before NYE and headed over to World Market at the Grove to snag a few bottles. At $20 each you'd think it would come with a blow up doll for the after party but nope, just Beerpagne (as I like to call it) in a fancy bottle. Watch the 3 videos above to get the back story and below is my review.....

Sam Adams Infinium Ale
Brewery : Boston Beer Company - Boston
ABV: 10.3%
Style: Ale
Packaging: 750ml

Look-Like a Champagne Supernova in the sky!!
Smell-Fruit, Spice and everything nice.
Taste-Dry like the like desert, sans the sands.
Feel-Bubbly like that David Spade 7up commercial.
Drink-Like a rich man's Malt Liquor

Synopsis:
Looks cool, tastes good, limited & would make a great gift for beer geeks. I bought a case, pretty much so my fridge would look like the Dre Day video or just to pop champagne like I won the championship ring. Final thought: I definitely say give it a try before it's completely sold out but I don't suggest stocking your fridge with it.....unless you want to be a BO$$!!!

CHEERS!

DOPE...

What do the new Clae Kennedy's and the Kaws x Dos Equis have in common???? Nothing, other than the fact I want a pair of the shoes and a 6 pack of the beer.......ASAP!

The air is gettin' hot, the BEER is gettin' flat...

I've been moving all weekend and finally get to sit down, relax and have an ice cold brewski. I went across the street and after countless minutes I decided on a Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel. I'm not a huge IPA fan but I think the bottle sold me more than the beer, that crazy little Elf looks like he's on a mission to get you drunk. When I picked it up and started walking to the counter the Elf started singing Wasted by Gucci Mane so I knew I was in for a good time. Without further ado here is my review...

Look: the GOLDEN girls x Mr Potato HEAD.
Smell: Hippity Hoppity, bippity bobbity!!
Taste: Good like Sunkist many wanna know who done this!!!
Feel: Like I've never felt before...& I deserve it, I think I deserve it!!
Drink: Crisp & Refreshing with a hidden 9% ABV that will sneak up on you like a ninja!!
Overall: Tasty & Potent just like I like my Women!!

Synopsis: You hear that???? Its Belgium telling me to come visit!!!! Looks like a Belgian beer, taste like a Belgian beer, smells like a Belgian beer, OMG its a Belgian beer!!! If you like Belgian beers than you'll love this like a fat kids loves cake! Say Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel 5 times fast an Elf will appear behind you with a free beer (try it, I'll wait!) You know when you want more of something but know you shouldn't, that's how I feel right now!!

Rating: 3.8 like that Mustang I'm burnin rubber in tonight.....snitches!!!!!

I drink more Brewsters than Punky...

You know what I love about beer (besides it makes you all warm & fuzzy inside) there are so many different brews out there to try. I still had a couple duckets left on my BevMo card so I decided to try a new beer tonight. Every time I go to BevMo I see this bottle staring me in the face but never pay it any attention, until today. The bottle reminds me of Cream Soda which I love more than life itself so maybe that was the turning point this go round. Like Nelly I picked up 2 pairs or bottles in this case because I knew I was gonna drink my pain away after finding out this is the last season of The Hills!!! Enough nonsense, lets talk beer shall we.......

Beer: Hen's Tooth
Brewed by: Greene King/Morland Brewery
Location: United Kingdom (England)
Style: English Pale Ale
Serving type: Bottle
ABV: 6.5%

Look: Like 311 says, Amber is the color of your energy.
Smell: Think Caramelo minus the Chocolat (Peter Klaven, what!)
Taste: Like a Cornish Game Hen :-)
Feel: Muy Carbonated.....BURP!
Drink: Pete Rock and CL SMOOOOTH!!
Overall: A Fine English Ale, great for watching Futbol!

Synopsis: You know what they say, a Hen's Tooth is better than NO Tooth! Pretty cheap @ $3.59 a bottle and 6.5% ABV does a body good, how do you think I keep my 6pack in check! I might grab one every so often when I'm feeling British but probably wouldn't cry if it disappeared from the shelves.

Rating: 3.33 on the Richter scale

Victory is Mine...

Easter Sunday: Watching sports like Bill Simmons, eating like Kobayashi & drinking like Keith Moon. I actually tried this beer last week but it was so good that I just grabbed another one for the Sox game. First things first, Ballast Point Brewing Company is one of San Diego's Premier Breweries that started as a Home Brew Mart in 1992. In 1996 the brewery was installed by New World Brewing Systems in the space behind their retail store and production began in September. In May of 2005 they opened their second brewery in Scripps Ranch. Now for the beer....Hooray beer!!!

Victory At Sea:
Look: Pours blacker than a moonless night with a thin brown head (no homo). Think shot of espresso.
Smell: Like if I poured Porter into my morning Starbucks Iced Vanilla coffee
Taste: Has a bite to it, like Barq's Root Beer.
Feel: Like Making Love....after about 4 of 22oz bottles.
Drink: Like a smooth operator, operating correctly!
Overall: Good till the last drop!

Synopsis: One of the best Porters that has ever graced my palate. The coffee/vanilla notes are subtle but you know they're there, kinda like the stalker you have outside your window right now! 10.00% ABV makes your Mom look even better! Mr T. approved....I pity the fool who doesnt try it! I'm definitely gonna plan a day trip to visit the brewery in San Diego and get drunk with the The Swinging Friar!!!

Rating: 4.0 like my GPA in higschool....yeah I'm smart, what!

Beer Belly...

My girl picked me up a new beer to try the other day from BevMo (isnt she sweet). The beer is called the Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock and has been ranked among the best beers of the world and has won numerous platinum medallions! In Bavaria, the world’s most competitive beer market, Ayinger beers and their famous gasthaus hotel enjoy a special status even among the 750 other brewers. According to Randy Mosher, one of the World Beer Championship expert judges, "Ayinger has a long-standing reputation for excellence in beer and hospitality. Their beers are, you might say, homestyle, more lightly touched by the industrial revolution than some better known German breweries. Compared to the mainstream, their beers tend to be just a touch fuller, darker, more intense. All this without giving up the smoothness for which Bavarian beers are justly famous."

Beer: Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
Brewery Location: Aying, Germany
Beer Style: Doppelbock
Serving Style: Bottle
ABV: 6.7%

Look-Peep the goat trinket hanging from the neck!
Smell-Still getting over my cold so I cant smell much.
Taste-Like a slice of heaven!
Feel-such a wonderful feeling.
Drink-I'll be BOCK....gotta go get some more!!

The Beergeek synopsis:
Deep chestnut color. An earthy, nutty-bordering-on-woody nose with sweet roasted malt accents. A rich, frothy entry leads to an off-dry, full-bodied palate with intense raisiny, dried fruit compote, roasted nuts, and mild molasses flavors. Finishes with an earthy mild hops and toasted dark nut bread fade with a lingering vinous note. A distinctive and delicious doppelbock that has an elegant balance of fruity malt and earthy, nutty flavors. A claret of a doppelbock!

My synopsis:
Like I've said before I'm really not into the while 5 step process of tasting beer, I kinda just drink them and then decide if I like them or not. I rate each beer on a scale of 1-5......1 being never buy again and 5 being stock the fridge mofo!!! This bad mother shut your mouth is delicious and nutritious (not really ful of nutrients but you get my point), not to mention the logo is cool which adds points in my book. Overall I give the Ayinger Celebrator a (drumroll please) 4.33333333 which means time to stock up!!!

CHEERS!!

Got Beer...

My lovely girlfriend picked up a new beer for me to try today at Trader Joe's!! Every year TJ's puts out a Vintage Ale which is usually cheap & good which is the my kind of beer! The price is only $4.99 for a 750 ml bottle of pure bliss which might I add is 9% abv....I see a blurry road ahead!

Appearance: Poured dark brown almost black like a stout......but I was in a dark room developing photos.
Smell: Spice notes tickle my nose hairs like a Norelco nose trimmer.
Taste: Like Chicken, I mean Beer!
Mouthfeel: Like a party in my mouth with a bunch of Strippers dancing to T-Pain's "I'm in love with a stripper."
Drinkablitity: like those Bud Light commercials but waaaaay better!
Overall: Is Trader Joe's still open and do they deliver? This is a great beer for a great price do you really need anything else?? I suggest trying it for yourself because only YOU can prevent forest fires!!! For real though it reminded me of a classic Belgium beer like Chimay, with a dark pour, spicy aroma and smooth finish......delicious!! Brewed by Unibroue (Chambly, Quebec). Pic via Gary Allard

Got Beer...

Summer might be over but who says you cant enjoy some Watermelon.....beer that is!! Have you ever had a face full of Watermelon and then decided to chug some beer at the same time?? If you answered yes to that question that youre in luck because the folks over at 21st Amendment Brewery made a Hell or High Watermelon wheat beer. I just picked up a 6pk at BevMo and I'm not sure what to think of this concoction. I think it would be great on a scortching hot day at the beach when you dont feel like chewing but want to eat watermelon, if that makes sense. I give them credit for their creativity and although I'm glad I tried it, I dont think its a beer I would buy again. Overall I would give it a 1.5 out of 5 on my beer scale.........I'll just keep my Watermelon & Beer seperate :-)

Flea Market Finds...

Picked this up at the Flea Maket yesterday, might be the coolest non sports Chalk Line jacket ever!! Bud Bowl I was aired in 1989 but this jacket is from Bud Bowl V in 1993. The announcers were Ahmad Rashad & Karen "Duff" Duffy and the coaches were Joe Namath (Budweiser team) and Corbin Bernsen (Bud Light team). It was quite the game but Budweiser came out the victor 35-31.

Lovely Day For A...

...GUINNESS!!!!! Today is Arthur Guinness Day, and the 250th anniversary celebration of the Guinness Brewery in Dublin (1759-2009). Arthur Guinness may have had the help of some liquid courage before he signed a 9,000-year lease on a brewery in Dublin in 1759 but 250 years later, it's clearly worked out well. The brewery at St. James's Gate has helped make Guinness stout one of the most successful beer brands worldwide and today we celebrate......CHEERS!!!

Got Beer...

Seeing how it was the first Sunday of the NFL season I decided to relax, have a beer and watch the games. I went to BevMO! aka the greatest store in the world and picked up a couple new beers. I decided to go with the Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar because the guy on the bottle started talking to me, plus its an award winning beer and I love brown ale! Suprisngly the only other Rogue beer Ive tried is Dead Guy Ale which I enjoyed. The beer gives a nutty twist to the traditional European brown ale. Dark Brown in color with a hazelnut aroma, a rich nutty flavor and smooth malty finish. I just took that description off the bottle because it sounded good, hahaha. I plan on taking a road trip up to Oregon one day to check out the Nike HQ in Beavertown and will stop to check out the Rogue "meeting halls" while I'm there. Overall I would give the beer a 3 out of 5 and it was definitely a good brown ale but I still prefer my New Castle :-) P.S. I love how they show you the food pairing with each beer!!

Thirsty Thursday...

Its that time of the week, time to try me a new brewskie!! Off to BevMo I went and after countless hours of looking at all the different brews I picked the Maui Brewing CoCoNut Porter. I love Mounds Candy bars and the thought of drinking a Porter similar in taste made my mouth water so it was an easy sell, not to mention the slogan on the can..........Like Hot Chicks on the Beach! Why cans you ask? I thought the same thing but then I read the can and learned a little something: Cans eliminate light damages & reduce the risk of oxidation, keeping the beer fresher than bottles. Also cans are lighter, chill quicker and can be enjoyed on the beaches because aluminum is the most recycled and eco-friendly material :-) So with all that being said I cracked open a CoCoNut Porter and the first sip was like a chocolaty waterfall with a misting of CoCoNut which was just the right balance IMO. When I think of Porter I usually think full bodied beer but this was actually a little lighter than expected which was nice. The beer is a little pricey at $10.99/4 pack but it was well worth it and I'm already thinking about having another one. Overall I really enjoyed this beer and give it a 4 out of 5 and would definitely buy it again!!!

Got Beer...

I found beer heaven when I moved to LA.......BevMo! I could hang out there for hours and just look at all the different beers. Anyways I picked up a new beer to try the other day (the 1st of many) called Coney Island Lager. I picked this beer because the label was cool which is usually how I pick my new beer. I'm not really a beer expert, I just try new beers and see if I like them or not and thats about the extent of it. I would give Coney Island Lager a 2.5 out of 5 on my beer scale (1 meaning I would never drink it again and 5 meaning I would stock the beer in my fridge). There are four more beers in the Coney Island Lager Family (shown above) that I'm looking forward to trying.

Brewed by:
Shmaltz Brewing Company (He'Brew)
California, United States

Style | ABV
American Amber / Red Lager | 5.50% ABV

Hybrid mashup of styles between European tradition, a very unusual malt bill and hops that nod strongly at American craft.

Beer Me...

Do you like Banana Bread?? Do you like Beer?? If you answered yes to both of the questions than you might enjoy a Charles Wells Banana Bread Beer. The smell is intoxicating in itself and I honestly tried to eat the beer which didn't go over to well. I'm not a huge fan of fruity beers but this had the perfect mix of flavors and the banana taste wasn't too overpowering. The beer poured a nice golden color with a great head :-) The ABV is 5.20 and the beer went down silky smooth. In a nutshell this was liquid Banana Bread so if that sounds like something you would like than I would recommend giving it a try. Overall I enjoyed the beer and would probably have it again sometime its just not something I would stock in the fridge or drink on the regular.

High Life...

Oh yeah and the Miller High Life at Sneakerpimps were $6 a pop........I was waiting for the High Life guy from the commercials to come in and confiscate them, haha!!!!!

Beer 30...

At Animal restaurant I tried a new beer called Hitachino Red Rice Ale. We asked the waiter to try the beer with the owl on the bottle (we spotted the people next to us guzzling it down) and he replied "You mean Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale.....the best beer in the world!!" How are you not gonna try it after that comment. I love trying new beers so the decision was easy and next thing you knew the owl was staring us in the face as if it was a challenge to drink it down. The first sip reminded me instantly of some Belgian beers I've tried recently and liked a lot so that was a good thing. With the second sip I could taste a little of the of the fruitiness which was ice but not to overpowering. Overall the beer had a great color, went down smooth and I would definitely have it again.

An offering that is particularly Japanese, or at least Asian, is the Red Rice Ale. The first record of red rice being used to brew beer dates from the Tang Dynasty in China. While many rice beer producers now use modern, technologically developed strains, Hitachino has decided to stick with the original. This is a far cry from using rice as an adjunct to stretch out a beer; the flavor of red rice is integral to the product. The brewing process requires polishing and milling of the rice grains just as sake-making does, and red rice is not the sole sugar source; pilsner malt is added after the rice’s starch molecules have been converted into sugars. The beer is actually fermented with both ale and sake yeasts. This complicated process creates a higher alcohol beer with strawberries, raspberries, and a streak of white pepper on both the nose and palate. The sake influence is noticeable but not predominant, making for a very smooth beer with a touch of glycerol on the finish. Source

Liquid Aloha...

I decided to try a new beer for the game tonight and went with a limited release by Kona Brewing Co. The name of the beer is Wailua which is hawaiian for two fresh water stream mingling. The beer is a wheat ale that is brewed with torpical passion fruit. The beer is a refreshing, citrusy, sun colored ale with the cool taste of Hawaii! You can really taste the passionfruit with every sip and if you close your eyes you'll actually feel like your on the Big Island :-) I've never been to Hawaii but I plan on taking a trip in the next couple years and I'm definitley gonna stop by the Kona Pub & Brewery loctaed in Kailua Kona. If you're a fan of light, fruity, citrusy, summer ales than you will absolutely love this beer and I highly recommend picking some up to try.

With the Hat to Match...

Vintage Budwesier snapback hat x Budweiser slip on sneakers.

Bud Heavy...

I love vintage beer shirts, always have and always will. The one above is my favorite Budwesier shirt ever, a canary yellow 1975 Bud tee from the California Shirt Shop with the 70s Spruce tag still intact. I love the old flowery graphic and the old Bud bottle 6-packs were so cool, they need to bring those back permanently and I'll start drinking Budweiser again.

BUDWEISER: Because U Deserve What Every Individual Should Enjoy Regularly :-)