february CA beer.

Since I couldn't drink for a couple weeks, this California beer post is a bit late!  This month's beer is Alesmith Indian Pale Ale.  It is from a San Diego brewery with fantastic beers but I think it is with IPA's that they really excel.  They have a few good pale ales but those tend to be a little boring to me.  This IPA is a strong example of an American IPA - big bold hops with a very Californian citrusy flavor.  

I enjoyed mine with mustard glazed salmon (from this recipe) and sauteed kale (with olive oil, lemon juice and orange zest) spiced couscous (turmeric, garam masala) and chopped dates which brought out the flavors in the beer (plus the dinner was inspired by my recent Lucques trip).  Salut! 

CA beer of the month (January edition).

It only seemed fitting that after featuring Russian River Damnation in December (posted here), January's California beer would be its sister, Redemption.  A single style beer and labeled a blonde, I was skeptical but it isn't a lightweight.  Mild spices and fruits, very drinkable - it is easy to see why it is a sister beer to the Damnation. 

I enjoyed mine the other night with a salmon burger with carmelized onions and herbed goat cheese....  Very fitting for the recent warm weather and Santa Ana winds.  Thanks to my Whole Foods beer guy, Alex, for digging this out of the secret stash for me!   

 Salut!

CA beer to try (December edition)

I saved my favorite beer, Russian River Brewing Company's Damnation, for the end of the year.  J and I found this upon one of our first (of many) stops at Father's Office a few years ago.  We're both hooked.  I was thrilled when I found it at Whole Foods not too long after that.  They now have it in smaller bottles in addition to the 750 ml bottle size. Russian River Brewing Company is a standout in California breweries. 

Brewed in Santa Rosa, this is a strong Belgium style golden ale.  It possesses the spicy notes that I particularly love in a beer - earthy hops with a mellow warming effect.  A year round tripel style beer but even better in winter.... 

Salut!

CA beer to try (november edition).

One of my favorite California breweries, Bootleggers Brewery, is in my hometown, Fullerton.  J introduced me to their beers via Whole Foods so my dad and I planned an afternoon tasting one late Indian summer day.  We took his 1938 Pontiac woody for a spin to an industrial part of town and walked into a tasting/tank room.  Ultimate in low key - the servings were in mason jars and a few other tasters sat on kegs.  The Whole Foods selection is small (kudos if you can find the fantastic Knuckle Sandwich IPA) but I found a new favorite: Wildfire Wheat.  

 This unique ale is achieved by first smoking the wheat.  I've never had a smoked beer before and the results are willful hops with spiced fruits.  Supposed to be Bootlegger's summer saison but I think the smoky finish works nicely in the fall with roasted vegetables as well.  I had this a couple nights ago with roasted acorn squash and polenta.  

Roasted acorn squash.
1/2 acorn squash, at least partially peeled, seeds scooped out
  & cut into 1/2 moon shapes
drizzle olive oil
drizzle maple syrup
chili powder
salt/pepper

 Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Arrange all of the above in a roasting pan.  To save time in the evening for this, I roasted it for 20 minutes in the morning, cooled, topped with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge.  Later at night, I preheated the oven for 5 minutes (again at 400), and put it back in for about 10 minutes while I made instant polenta (also to save time) & topped with a spoonful of warmed marinara sauce.  

Salut!

california craft beer.

I am loving the craft beer craze that is sweeping my home state!  There are great breweries from San Diego to San Francisco that are producing solid traditional varietals but also experimenting with unique flavors.  LA has the best beer bars between Father's Office (the ultimate), Surly Goat, Wurstkuche, Library Alehouse, Fifth Amendment...just to name a few.  

In honor of LA's upcoming beer week (today through the 17th) and the spirit of the California brewery,  I'll focus on a California notable beer per month.  

This month's beer....

 Lagunitas Oktoberfest

An Oktoberfest saison but with a major twist - spicier and slightly fruity but still with a classic malt finish.  Normally known for big hops in this varietal, Lagunitas takes a mellow approach.  Very drinkable and perfect with seasonal fall fare.  This can be hard to find but Whole Foods or BevMo generally carry a decent Lagunitas range.  

Salut!