Pliny the Younger in San Diego, 2012

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Jeff Hammett

This post last year about where and when to find Pliny the Younger in San Diego got a ton of traffic and a whole bunch of folks told me it was very helpful. Since I’ve already been asked multiple times if I’ll be keeping a list this year I figured I should start. See last year’s post (linked above) for more info on Pliny the Younger and some notes about how quickly it tapped out at various bars in San Diego last year.

Pliny the Younger hits taps at Russian River’s Brewpub in Santa Rosa today according to their website. At the brewpub they have a dedicated number of kegs each day to make sure it lasts until at least mid February (meaning if they’ve sold enough one day it might be gone at 9pm, but they’ll have more on tap the next day when they open). Down here in San Diego we’re not so lucky. Most bars get a limited amount and it goes rather quickly, so if you want to get a taste don’t straggle, and be prepared for long lines, crowded bars (and sometime higher than usual prices for smaller than usual pours). But I think most people would agree, it’s worth the hassle.

It should be noted that we probably won’t see Pliny the Younger down here in San Diego for a week or two, I’d guess it will start showing up around town sometime between Feb 8th and 15th.

Below is a list of bars that I expect will be getting Pliny the Younger or have confirmed to me that they will be getting it. Any of the information could change, I suggest you check with individual bar’s if you want to be 100% sure, but I’ll do my best to keep this list updated.

Confirmed:

Churchill’s Pub - March 3rd for Churchill’s Renaissance via Beer Advocate

Encinitas Ale House - They say they’re getting a full keg

Neighborhood - Sometime mid February via their Twitter (warning bit of profanity at the link)

Suspected based on Previous Years (but not confirmed):

Blind Lady Ale House

Downtown Johnny Brown’s

Hamilton’s Tavern

The Linkery

Live Wire

Newport Pizza and Alehouse

O’Brien’s Pub

Pizza Port Carlsbad

Pizza Port Ocean Beach

Pizza Port Solana Beach

San Diego Brewing Company

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens

Tap Room

Toronado

If you know of a bar or restaurant in San Diego that will be getting Pliny the Younger, or what day/time they’ll be tapping it, send me an email to get the list updated.

Updated 2/3/12 at 11:51am

A Beer Lover’s Guide to New Year’s Eve in San Diego

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Jeff Hammett

New Year’s Eve and beer (well alcohol in general) seem to go hand in hand. As such, there are plenty of beer related New Year’s eve happenings in San Diego this upcoming Saturday night.

If staying at home is your thing

Starting Friday and going through 6pm Saturday Stone Brewing Co. will be releasing various beers from the past year at their Growler Fill Year in Review. Both the Stone Store in Escondido and South Park will be filling growler’s with limited and special release beers from the past year.

If going all out is your thing

Stone Brewing Co.’s New Years Eve Party at the Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens is the place to be. It’s not cheap (tickets will set you back $175) but it includes buffet dinner, live music, complimentary beer and a brewhouse dance party. Yes, you read that right, a brewhouse dance party.

If going to sleep early is your thing

Ring in the New Year with the Belgian’s at 3pm Pacific Time at Blind Lady Ale House. There will be a ton of great Belgian beer on tap of course. They’ll be open until 10pm if you decide to party a few hours into the (Belgian) New Year.

If you love Pizza Port but live in North Park

Head down to Toronado where starting at 11:30am and going through the night they’ll be filling all their taps with beers from all four Pizza Port locations. They say they’ll be posting the tap list to their website soon, but we expect there will be plenty of great beers no matter what they have.

If you want a cozy sit down dinner with great beer

Alpine Beer Co.’s Pub is the place to be. They’ll be serving a three course dinner with two beer (or wine) pairings for $35.95 which includes ‘Beeramisu’ Made with Captain Stout for dessert. Alpine Beer Co.’s pub is pretty small, so be prepared for it to possibly be a little crowded, but don’t let that deter you.

Didn’t find anything that sounded good here? Check out San Diego CityBeat’s comprehensive New Year’s Eve guide.

More Pizza Port News

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Jeff Hammett

Some more Pizza Port news to report following Monday’s post about Head Brewer and Director of Brewing Operations Jeff Bagby’s plans to leave Pizza Port to open his own brewery…

As reported by Barbara Henry at the North County Times, Pizza Port has plans to build a 37,050-square-foot new facility to be located in Carlsbad at Palomar Airport Rd and Gateway Rd. Not only will this be Pizza Port’s fifth restaurant location, but it will also serve as a production and distribution facility. The production side of things will brew beer and produce pizza dough in bulk for Pizza Port’s restaurants. Henry also reports that it will also house a canning facility. It sounds like things are still in the early planning stages, so there’s always the possibility that plans will change, but Pizza Port beer in cans (and presumably wider distribution) sounds pretty cool to me. Pizza Port’s proposal goes before the Carlsbad’s Planning Commission tonight at 6pm. A copy of the report to the Planning Commission can be seen here.

I heard back from Jeff Bagby and he tells me that he’ll be staying on at Pizza Port through the end of the month. He says he’ll take a bit of time off before he starts full time on his own brewery project. He also mentioned that while his brewing position at Pizza Port Carlsbad will be filled by Ignacio (Nacho) Cervantes (as Gina Marsaglia told me), there is not as of yet a replacement for his operations position with Pizza Port. According to Bagby the recipes he developed while at Pizza Port are owned by Pizza Port and will stay with the brewpub.

I had heard previously that Pizza Port San Clemente Head Brewer Noah Regnery was leaving for Hollister Brewing in Goleta but didn’t have more details. Beernews.org tracked down a tweet from Regnery about training his replacement. Ryan Fields, former Lead Brewer at Port Brewing/Lost Abbey has taken over as Head Brewer at Pizza Port San Clemente.

This post was updated at 3:19pm on 12/7/2011

Blind Lady Ale House Meet the Brewer Tasting Flights

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Jeff Hammett

Chuck Silva of Green Flash Leading a Flight Tasting During SDBW 2010

Yesterday I posted a roundup of what in my opinion are some of the best events happening during San Diego Beer Week. (And also posted a list of some of the best looking food and beer events as well).

But I wanted to highlight a series of events that Blind Lady Ale House did last year and will continue to do this year, Meet the Brewer Guided Flight Tastings. Throughout the week they’ll have a handful of different brewers in leading tastings through some of their beers. Last year I went to guided tastings at BLAH with Mark Jilg from Craftsman, Chuck Silva from Green Flash and Pat Mcilhenney of Alpine Beer Co. All were extremely educational, there’s no better way in my opinion to learn about a beer than to hear the brewer himself talk about it while tasting it, and affordable. Last year prices were around $25 per event. I haven’t seen prices this year, but I’d guess they will be similar. In order to keep things fun and make sure everyone can hear and ask questions BLAH limits the size of the events, which take place in the Hamm’s Room (West room at BLAH). So make sure to get there early if you’re interested in sitting through one of these guided tastings.

Blind Lady’s Meet the Brewer Guided Flight Tastings start tonight (technically SDBW Eve) and go throughout San Diego Beer Week. The full schedule (subject to change, so check with BLAH) is below.

Thursday, November 3rd 5pm with Tomme Arthur of Lost Abbey and Port Brewing Co.

Friday, November 4th 12:30-2:30pm with Jeff Bagby of Pizza Port Carlsbad

Sunday, November 6th 12:30-2:30pm with Mother Earth Brewing Co.

Wednesday, November 9th 5pm with Yiga Miyashiro of Pizza Port Ocean Beach

Thursday, November 10th with Chuck Silva of Green Flash

Friday, November 11th 12:30pm with Patrick Rue of The Bruery

San Diego Brewers Bring Home Awards Aplenty at 2011 GABF

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Jeff Hammett

Last year San Diego breweries brought home fifteen medals from the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Saturday afternoon the awards were announced in 83 beer categories with San Diego breweries bringing home twenty medals. In addition to the individual beer categories six brewery awards are given out and San Diego breweries brought home two of those titles.

Pizza Port Carlsbad was named Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year for the third year in a row. Pizza Port Ocean Beach and brewer Yiga Miyashiro took home the award for Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year for the first time. Overall the three San Diego Pizza Port locations dominated, bringing in twelve of San Diego’s twenty medals (Pizza Port San Clemente took home one bronze medal).

Pizza Port Carlsbad alone brought home six medals, tied for second place for most medals with Firestone Walker (Rock Bottom also took six medals, but all Rock Bottom locations were entered together, not separate for each location as Pizza Port was). Pizza Port Carlsbad also tied for second place with Firestone Walker for most gold medals won with three. Sun King Brewing in Indianapolis took home the most gold medals (four) as well as most medals overall with eight.

California breweries took home the most medals with 51 total while Colorado came was second with 44. The state of Oregon was third with fifteen medals. Think about that for a moment, San Diego breweries alone came home with five more medals than the entire state of Oregon and San Diego accounted for nearly 40% of California’s medals.

Congrats to Pizza Port Carlsbad, Pizza Port Ocean Beach, Pizza Port Solana Beach, Rock Bottom La Jolla, Rock Bottom San Diego, The Lost Abbey/Port Brewing Company, AleSmith and Karl Strauss for their awards. Keep reading for the list of San Diego winners and a link to the full list.

Continue reading →

West Coaster Travel Issue | May, 2011

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Jeff Hammett

The May issue of West Coaster is out now, it’s all about travel and mostly beer from places other than San Diego. There are stories about beer in LA and the Central Coast as well as snippets about tons of other cities and countries throughout the world.

I wrote articles about the breweries of the Front Range in Colorado (Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins) and wrote about cycling down the coast here in San Diego with stops at the three San Diego County Pizza Port locations. It’s a great ride, one I’ll be doing again soon.

Pick up a copy at at breweries and better beer bars and bottle shops (distribution list here) or read it online.

5th Annual San Diego International Beer Festival at the San Diego County Fair

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Jeff Hammett

The 5th Annual San Diego International Beer Festival takes place at the San Diego County Fair over four sessions Friday June 24th – Sunday June 26th. Each four hour session includes a souvenir tasting cup (white supplies last, no word on how many they’ll have) and unlimited one ounce beer samples. Admission to the festival is $45 per session, which also includes admission to the rest of the San Diego County Fair for the day (I recommend going on the Kamikaze before partaking in unlimited beer samples).

For the next week, from today, April 8th through April 15th, they’re offering a pre-sale discount for $10 off admission. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com with the presale password: “Stout”

The festival also hosts both an amateur and professional competition. The BJCP/AHA-Sanctioned homebrew competition takes place on July 3rd, after the festival itself. Entry information is here and the deadline for registration is May 18th.

The judging for the professional competition will take place in May, with the results announced at 12:30pm on Saturday June 25th during the second session of the festival (the first Saturday session). Last year Pizza Port Solana Beach won Best in Show for their Big Wednesday Belgian IPA. This was the second year in a row that Pizza Port took top honors, let’s see if they can continue the streak this year.

Click here for more info on the San Diego International Beer Festival and here for more info on the San Diego County Fair in general.

Disclaimer: The San Diego County Fair has offered me complimentary passes to the fair.

Russian River Brewing Co. Pliny the Younger in San Diego

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Jeff Hammett

Russian River Brewing Co.’s Triple IPA Pliny the Younger is one of the most anticipated beer releases amongst hop head beer geeks. Released just once a year, usually in February the beer is very limited which adds to the intrigue and demand. Last year Russian River sold out of Pliny the Younger at their brewpub in Santa Rosa in about ten hours. This year they changed things up a bit so it will last longer; they aren’t filling growlers, it is available for on-premise consumption only and they have specific allotments for each day, so even if they run out one day, they’ll have another keg to put on the next day so it will be on tap for at least two weeks. But Santa Rosa is quite the drive from San Diego, so thankfully Russian River is sending some kegs down our way.

While I appreciate a good IPA or Double IPA I’m not the biggest hop head aound, and I’ve actually never gotten to try Pliny the Younger, but I’m hoping to get a taste this year. In the past lines at San Diego bars have been long when Pliny the Younger is released and a full keg blew at O’Brien’s Pub in about 45 minutes a year or two ago. So it might be a hassle to get some, but from what everyone says it’s worth it.

I’m unsure of how many kegs will be sent to San Diego, and exactly which bars will be getting it, but below is a list of the bars I do know that are getting it, as well as my best guesses on which other bars might get some Pliny the Younger and those that got some last year. It’s expected that the kegs will be arriving in San Diego this week, maybe even as early as tomorrow, Wednesday February 9th. UPDATE: According to Ian Black at Toronado the first kegs of PtY did indeed arrive at Stone (they distribute Russian River in San Diego) Wednesday and should start going out to bars Thursday. I’m told that there will probably be at least two different shipments of kegs down here, so we could see Pliny the Younger start showing up at bars this week and then again in a week or two.

This is all subject to change and you should check with individual bars for more info. But I’ll try to keep this list as up to date as possible. If I hear of any bars tapping additional kegs at a later date I’ll post that info as well.

Know of any other bars that will be getting Pliny the Younger? Or have updated info on when it will be tapped at any bar? Leave a comment below or send an email: events@sandiegobeerblog.com

Pizza Port Ocean Beach – Tuesday, 3/8 at 4pm
Neighborhood – Tuesday, 3/15
Churchill’s Pub – Saturday, 3/5 at 11am for Churchill’s Renaissance
The Linkery – Thursday, 3/3 at 5pm. Only served paired with food, click here for the details
Toronado – Thursday, 2/10 at 10am UPDATE: The first keg ran out around noon, they tapped a second keg which ran out around 3pm. They had another keg on when they opened at 11:30am Sunday 2/13.
Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens – Thursday, 2/10 at 4:30pm UPDATE: Their keg kicked around 5:45pm. I’ve heard second hand that they have two additional 1/2 barrel kegs.
Pizza Port Solana Beach – 2/11 at 4pm
Newport Pizza and Ale House - Wed 2/16UPDATE: They’re tapping another five gallon keg 3/1 at 5pm
O’Brien’s Pub – Saturday 2/12 at 4pm UPDATE: I heard the keg kicked in just over 20 minutes.

Hamilton’s Tavern – Sunday 2/13 at 1pm UPDATE: They also had a keg on 2/28
Blind Lady Ale House – Tuesday 2/15 at 5pm UPDATE: BLAH had a 1/2 barrel keg which was emptied in about an hour.
Tap Room – Monday 2/21 at 5pm and at their Anniversary party Saturday 2/26
Live Wire – Sunday 2/13
San Diego Brewing Company - Tuesday, 2/15 at 4pmUPDATE: I’m told the keg kicked around 5:3opm
Downtown Johnny Brown’s - 2/25 at 6pm
Pizza Port Carlsbad – Unknown

Check out THINKBREW for a list of bars in Los Angeles and Orange County that are expected to get Pliny the Younger

This post was last updated 3/7/2011 at 3pm

San Diego Beer Events, January 20th- January 26th

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Jeff Hammett

If you know of anything that isn’t on our events calendar, please email events@sandiegobeerblog.com to get it added.

Thursday, Jan 20:

Stop into Eleven for a Bear Republic Brewery Racer 5 IPA and keep the glass. The first one, including glass will cost ya $4, after that it’s only $3 refills for the rest of the night.

Friday, Jan 21:

Two parties, one celebrating the old and one celebrating the new are happening tonight. West Coaster is holding their launch party at The South Park Abbey. They’ll have special West Coaster beer glasses, beers from Hess Brewing Co., including a specially brewed West Coaster IPA and some never before seen beers from Coronado Brewing Co. including a Black IPA, a Belgian IPA and more. Yes I do write a monthly column for West Coaster, sure I’m probably a bit biased, but there will be some great beer and this will be a fun time.

Up the road a little ways O’Brien’s Pub is celebrating their 17th Anniversary. They’ll have plenty of great beers from the various Pizza Port locations as well as some special bottles from Lost Abbey. Owner Tom Nickel recently helped brew Nickel Bag at Pizza Port Ocean Beach. This Double IPA was the last beer he brewed before leaving Pizza Port Carlsbad in 2005.

Saturday, Jan 22:

The Lost Abbey is hosting an open house from 12-6pm to show off their new space from their recent expansion. They’ll be doing tours of the new space and just might have something special on tap.

Saturday afternoon the website Awesome Beer Drinkers are teaming up with Best Damn Beer Shop to host an Awesome Beer Tasting. $35 gets you ten three or four ounce pours from their impressive list of beers. The tasting is happening at The Beer Company downtown and they recommend purchasing tickets in advance through their website.

Sunday, Jan 23:

Know of a great beer event happening? Email events@sandiegobeerblog.com

Monday, Jan 24:

If you don’t have tickets to Stone Brewing Co.’s Beer U: Strong Ales it looks like you’re out of luck as they’re sold out according to the website. But fret not, head down to North Park for some $3 beers. As always Toronado is doing their local night, all local beers are $3. This week Eleven is also doing $3 beers but there’s isn’t limited to locals. Any beer on tap, all night long, $3. I’m not sure if this will become a regular thing but I hope so.

Tuesday, Jan 25:

Are you a homebrewer? Thinking about homebrewing? The local homebrew club QUAFF holds their monthly meeting the fourth Tuesday of the month at the All American Grill in Hazard Center. Check out their website for more info.

Wednesday, Jan 26:

Alesmith is releasing their Barrel-Aged Wee Heavy Scotch Ale 2009 and bottle sales start at 2pm. But don’t think you can just waltz down there and pick up a few bottles. Sales will be limited to four per person and will sold based on numbers handed out at 10am. MIHO Gastrotruck will be around starting at 1:30pm serving lunch. From what I’ve heard this beer is worth taking a good portion of your day off work, if past barrel-aged bottle releases at Alesmith are indication this one will go quickly.

A bit later Hamilton’s Tavern and Small Bar will be hosting Rob Todd from Allagash Brewing Co. They’ll have plenty of his beers on tap at each bar. Todd will be at Hamilton’s from about 4-6:15pm and Small Bar from about 6:3o-8:30pm.

Know of anything going on Tuesday or Wednesday? Email events@sandiegobeerblog.com
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San Diego Beer Events, January 13th – January 19th

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Jeff Hammett

If you know of anything that isn’t on our events calendar, please email events@sandiegobeerblog.com to get it added.

Thursday, Jan 13:

Celebrate American Craft Pilsners with Doug Hasker of Gordon Biersch and Lee Chase of Automatic Brewing Co. Blind Lady Ale House will have a flight of six American craft pilsners (Avery Joe’s Pils, Green Flash Fizzy Yellow Beer, Victory Prima Pils, Victory Braumeister Pils, Sudwerk Pils, and Gordon Biersch Pils) from 5pm-Midnight with Doug and Lee hosting a discussion at 5:30pm.

Alpine Beer Co. isn’t especially known for their dark beers which often get overshadowed by their stellar hoppy beers, that’s not to say the dark beers aren’t good (they are) which is why O’Brien’s Pub is calling Thursday Alpine Noir Night with Odin’s Raven Imperial Stout, Token Imperial Porter and Captain Stout on draft and Token Imperial Porter with toasted coconut and rum-soaked oak chips on cask.

Friday, Jan 14:

Didn’t get enough of Alpine Beer Co. at O’Brien’s last night? Hamilton’s hosts them for Firkin Friday. They’ll have Captain Stout with Cocoa Nibs and Vanilla Chai on cask with other Alpine beers on draft.

Saturday, Jan 15:

Pizza Port Carlsbad will be focusing on barrel aged beers at their Barrel Blast. From 1-5pm $30 gets you a custom glass and 5 3oz pours with additional pours only $1. They’ll have 20-30 barrel aged beers available. Sounds like a great way to try some of the more rare and expensive beers without too much hassle.

If you’d rather take home some barrel-aged beer in a bottle stop by The Lost Abbey for the release of 2011 Angel’s Share (aged in Brandy barrels). 375ml corked bottles are $15 and there’s no limit. The Lost Abbey is open 12-6pm.

Sunday, Jan 16:

Know of something going on? Email events@sandiegobeerblog.com

Monday, Jan 17:

A pint of Bear Republic Brewery’s delicious Racer 5 IPA will set you back $4 at Eleven and you get to take the glass home. Refills are only $3.

If your cupboard is over flowing with beer glasses or Racer 5 just isn’t your thing Toronado has local beers for $3 from 6pm-Close.

Tuesday, Jan 18:

Ladies, check out Chicks for Beer at the High Dive is hosting Coronado Brewing Company this month. $25 gets you 5 tasters, a drink of your choice and food pairings in a relaxed women only environment.

If that’s not your thing, Small Bar will have a Duvel Green Keep the Glass night. I haven’t had Duvel Green but I’ve heard some good things.

Wednesday, Jan 19:

Third Wednesday of the month means it’s time for the monthly SD DrinkAbout. A free shuttle runs between Hamilton’s Tavern, The Station, Ritual Tavern, Blind Lady Ale House, Small Bar, Live Wire, Toronado and Sea Rocket Bistro from about 7-11pm. Many of the bars/restaurants have specials for the night.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines will host Ballast Point Brewing Co. in another installment of their Craft Beer Dinner Series. Colby Chandler from Ballast Point will bring some of his famous chili pepper beers to pair with food from chef Kyle Bergman. They’ll have Bloody Abandon Ship Smoked Lager, Smokin’ Hot Habanero Sculpin IPA, Smoked Chipotle Cocoa Nib Black Marlin Porter and a few more. The full menu can be seen here.

Know of anything going on Tuesday or Wednesday? Email events@sandiegobeerblog.com