We find the Belgian Fantome beers intriguing, mysterious, and always tasty… A chocolate Saison sounded interesting, so we brought home a bottle from Public House La Jolla (yes, bottles may be purchased to go!). It poured a rich golden hue with a large quantity of darker sediment remaining. Although we could not taste any distinguishable chocolate, the beer was very satisfying and tasted wonderful! Adam even drank some of the brown sludge…
Yummy malty strong ale (clocking in at 10% abv) somewhere between a porter and a stout.
A very nice strong saison (is 8% strong?) from a brewery I have only heard about. A great first taste. I always love walking into great selection at my local watering hole.
Enjoyed a couple more Stillwater brews… “Cellar Door” and “of Love & Regret”. Their gypsy brewer does a fine job galavanting the world brewing beers at different facilities. How fun for him!! The “of Love & Regret” was outstanding!
Stopped by Hess at closing time, and was happy to see that the place was still happening! Many beers to choose from, so we enjoyed a few tasters while chatting with Michael and other fun patrons… My fav was Brunus Inderesco (coffee porter).
Trying (from R to L) Rayon Vert, a Belgian-style pale ale, Winter’s Folly, a winter warmer, and I Plead the Fifth, a black IPA.
Parked at Pizza Port Solana Bch with full intent to enjoy a few after our Hwy 101 bike ride… Rode North along the beautiful sunny high surf waves… 17ft! Stopped at Breakwater Brewing in Oceanside for tasters (all deliciously refreshing), and got sidetracked at Pizza Port Carlsbad with the yummy Coffee Monster and fun Whambo American IPA. Never made it into PP Solana… Next time!!
So my friend Jason just returned from Santa Rosa with a couple of cases of Russian River beers. He kicked me a few of my favorites including Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig.
Naturally I swigged my way through both in no time.
It was so nice to try something new that tasted so good…. Surprised the alcohol was listed only as 6.6%. Nice to sip on in the jacuzzi. So delicious that we wished the bottle had been bigger!
Per the label the beer is brewed in Lucan, MN Pop 220.
I wasn’t a big fan, though it could just be the bottle I had….I’m not sure how old the beer was. The beered poured with very little carbonation….not that it would have helped it. It had decent hop flavor and more of a piney nose. To me it needed more malt for a better balance.
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