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.

Very refreshing after a 30-mile bike ride…and at only 4.3%abv we can enjoy many.  GF is a good place to park and ride back to…cuz they have adult refreshments on premises and currently open until 6pm on Sunday….yay!

First visit to Green Flash new location.  We tried the Summer Saison, Sugar Smack Double, Tripple, Le Freak and Special Cuvee Tripple. 

Blind Lady Ale House

After closing up Port it was time to venture south and meet up with a friend.  As always, BLAH, had a wonderful tap list including some sours, for a mini-sour fest just for the night.

The Blind Lady Ale House - tap list 1

BLAH sour mini tap list

Automatic #1 and La Folie

We started with a Super Freak from Green Flash and a Mission Armada double IPA.  We talked and sipped and I completely forgot to take a picture of the beer before it evaporated.  Next was an Automatic #1 and New Belgium’s La Folie.

Before we were kicked out we finished the evening with a Belgian Brown and a Super Freak, both from Green Flash.

Belgian Brown and Super Freak, both from Green Flash

Green Flash Brewing Co

I had read that Green Flash Brewing Co. was open all week for tastings and tours for San Diego Beer Week, so I headed over after work.

Green Flash Brewery Draft List

Grant was nice enough to pour  me a few tasters.  30th Street Pale Ale, Gruit (a hopless herb beer), Hop Head Red, West Coast IPA, Palate Wrecker Double IPA, Imperial IPA and Coffee Stout.   I was not impressed with the Gruit, but I did have it after the 30th Street.  Next time I need to try it before something so hoppy.

On Thursday JSix Restaurant hosted The Lost Abbey Original Art Show.   They were displaying the original artwork that is featured on the Lost Abbey labels.  You could see up close just how disturbing the Inferno label really is.  To make it eaven better, they were pouring samples ( Duck Duck Gooze, Cuvee de Tomme, Angel’s Share, Carnavale…hell..they had a better selection than the brewery had) and they were serving appetizers.

Jsix Art & Beer 1

Jsix Art & Beer 2

Jsix Art & Beer 3

"Once I caught a fish thiiiiis big."

Angel's Share..mmm

BLAH's Green Flash Tap List

Little Freak from Green Flash

The next stop was the Blind Lady Ale House.  I decided on a Green Flash Little Freak and like it; very refreshing.  Then off to The Ritual Tavern…again.  I thought I took a picture there too…but maybe that was Wednesday.

This time around the confab centered around local craft beer with Alesmith, Ballast Point, Green Flash, Lightning, Lost Abbey, and Stone Brewing offering up beers to be paired with foods ranging from aged and grilled pork bellies to stout ice cream.

Molly and I went to the event as guests of Jon and Mindy from Brewery Tours of San Diego, but we carpooled with Lost Abbey’s Tomme Arthur and Mike Rodriguez as well as Mike’s wife, Michelle, so we could visit The Neighborhood, a local gastropub, in advance of the event. (A great beer selection from all the local breweries.)

Following our visit to The Neighborhood we strolled back to the Stingaree, met up with Jon and Mindy, and headed to the party on the roof.

The Stingaree, which is just a couple blocks from Petco Park in downtown San Diego, offers a really hipster atmosphere and decor, and the rooftop bar / patio is a spectacular place to watch the sunset. Naturally, the food, beer and people were all exceptional. Here’s a photo gallery of the evening’s events:
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And thanks again to Jon and Mindy for inviting us!

There cannot be many full bottle of Surf’s Up Symposium IPA floating around. Brewed by Green Flash Brewing of Vista, CA for the World Beer Cup last April, the only people who got it were attendees of the Craft Brewer’s Conference.

Adam’s a lucky guy to be drinking this hop bomb of an IPA.