Everyone has heard of the Stone Brewing Company and their famous Arrogant Bastard Ale. I'm a big fan myself. However there are several other great beers made in San Diego County that are worth checking out! I sampled two different brews tonight and I'm still trying to decide which is my favorite. In order to make a final decision I require more beer!
First is the American Amber Ale from Lightning Brewery in Poway. I first sampled their beers at BevMo! a few weeks ago and I have to say I loved all of them, but I was sufficiently inebriated at that point and my palate was not to be trusted.
First is the American Amber Ale from Lightning Brewery in Poway. I first sampled their beers at BevMo! a few weeks ago and I have to say I loved all of them, but I was sufficiently inebriated at that point and my palate was not to be trusted.
It has a nice color and aroma, and it definitely doesn't taste like it is 7.5% alcohol. It is modeled after the UK "Premium Bitters" and although I'm not normally a fan of hoppy or bitter beers this one was nicely balanced with local malt. I admit it isn't a terribly distinctive but it was definitely worth $3.99 for 22 oz.
I also partook of the Wahoo Wheat Bear from Ballast Point. They are located in Scripps Ranch by the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.
Unfiltered hefeweizens are always my favorite style of beer so of course I liked this one. I don't always love white beers spiced with coriander and orange peel but Wahoo Wheat is absolutely a step up from Blue Moon or Shock Top and easily rivals any other domestic wheat beer. I still think the Belgians and Germans still do wheat beers better (I would hope so) but for the price this one is definitely worthwhile.
I love good beer and I love supporting local businesses. So in order to provide better reviews I fear I must sample more of the available stock. Hell, I should probably visit the breweries themselves... just to supervise production of course.
Labels:
alcohol,
amber ale,
Ballast Point,
beer,
Lightning Brewery,
microbrew,
Miramar,
North County,
Poway,
Scripps Ranch,
wheat beer
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