IPA over GOP
- bethchartnett
- Aug 7, 2015
- 4 min read
Not much in my life makes a whole lot of sense. I'm not known for being a rational person.
My palate is pretty much the same.
There are two things I love above all else:
1. Give me all of that sugary sweet. Some would say my taste for sugar verges on the cloying, tickle the roof-of-your-mouth sweet. I just say I need more.
2. Bring on the bitter.
I have a penchant for things that taste like pennies. Or so I've been told (people are strange).
The latter is a preference I discovered about five years ago while visiting my sister and brother-in-law in Chicago. After taking a walk around Wringleyville, we all sat around a sampler platter of beers (the best kind of sampler platter in my humble opinion). It was then I fell in love with the glory that is India Pale Ale, and the nostalgia-inducing assertiveness of the hop. Taking a sip of an IPA truly transports me to a blustery fall day. The gripping warmth of the lingering summer sun. Winds that carry the scent of falling leaves and the whisper of a changing season. It's that ambiance and smell (which they say is strongly linked to memory) that gives me all the feels. It's the same sentimentality I experience when taking a sip of all the earthiness of a pale ale or hop-foward beverage.
Yep, I get real emotional when it comes to my brews. Remember, I warned you I'm a little irrational.
For a thirsty gal like me, the craft beer movement is a celebration. I love that there are so many people with so many different palates not only creating great beer, but helping people experience new, unique brews. Sure, there's nothing wrong with a tall boy every now and then; I can appreciate a cold PBR. But how great is it to be able to say that you've tried a peanut butter stout or a watermelon saison? (Belching Beaver makes that stout and yes, you must try it).
There's hardly a region in Southern California you can't find a craft brewery, and we've made it a mission to tour around and try as many as possible. Among my favorites currently:
1. Beachwood BBQ - it was voted the best craft brewery in Southern California for a reason. It's pure bliss. That Udder Love Milk Stout.... and you should most definitely stop by the Long Beach location to pair your beer with their succulent BBQ offerings. I'm practically drooling at my computer just thinking about it.
And now I'm torturing myself by looking at their food photos.
2. Pacific Plate - Located in a microscopically-small space in Duarte, you would never know it was there. It was a gem of a find (kudos to my Dad). I had the best time playing games with my family and indulging in their horchata stout on nitro. God, it's so good. Rich, yet well balanced. No other horchata-flavored beer even compares (though I would say the horchata blonde from the Bruery is a pretty damn close second).
I could name so many more--the gardens, hops, and soft pretzels at the Stone Brewery in Escondido; the Coffee IPA at Claremont Craft Ales; the ridiculously long list of delicious beers at the Bruery in Anaheim (just prepare yourself for the equally ridiculous lines)--they are all must trys. A more recently family favorite has become Rok House Brewery in Upland, Calif. Who doesn't love a good viking theme? The beer is also really good. My dad has consistently been filling his growler with their two brown ales--Berserker Brown and the Double Nut Brown. Both indulgent, yet light and refreshing. I chugged my glass like water. Don't judge me.
For National IPA Day yesterday, we made our way over to Rok House for another aspect we love about the brewery, their trivia night. While everyone else was watching the GOP presidential debate, we decided to quench our thirst. Beer over politics. Every Thursday King Trivia takes over the brew room from 7 to 9 p.m. There's no fee to play and winner gets free beer. We like the prospect. We've also won several times so have been encouraged to keep playing. We're not greedy. Just very thirty.
Yesterday was not a winning round for us in terms of the trivia (so close), but we drank like kings. Orange Whits, Midnight Sun Ales, and Double Nut Browns for everyone! Also, much to the satisfaction of my sweet tooth, they are now offering a chocolate rim to your pint glass! Try it with the browns or the Midnight Sun Ale. It doesn't cost extra and it is well worth a try.
If you can't make it over to Upland, King Trivia plays all over the region. Click the link above and find a craft brewery location near you. Supporting craft brew and having the opportunity to win free beer at the same time? I'll cheers to that.
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