It is summer, and my 2012 Craft Brewery Pilgrimage is rolling into its halfway point.
Each month I bring people together to build community around a table. We pay tribute to the long connection between monks and brewing, and the rapidly growing craft brewing community in Southern California. I get to meet the people I know online who I have not met in real life. I also give at least one organization the opportunity to share their story.
We began back in February at the San Pedro Brewing Company. In March, we enjoyed the hospitality of PackingHouse Brewing Company in Riverside.
April took our band of thirsty pilgrims to Bootlegger’s Brewery in Fullerton. While I stayed in the darker end of the brewing pool, people with us tasted each of their brews. I really enjoy their Black Phoenix, which is available year round. My favorite Bootlegger’s Brew overall is their winter seasonal release, a mint chocolate porter.
Fortunately, the mint chocolate porter is available on my birthday each year.
Our May visit was to The Bruery in Placentia. There is a strong Belgian influence that informs many of their brews. They also create seasonal brews which include a wide variety of flavors, such as Thai Basil and yams. They like to push the limits of what people think of as “beer.” My favorite on their year round collection is Mischief, a hoppy Belgian-style golden strong ale.
This month takes us to Green Flash Brewing Company in San Diego on Saturday, June 30. I look forward to seeing you there. Green Flash offers 30 minute tours of their brewing facility, including a guided tasting of four brews, for $ 5.
The schedule for the rest of this year’s pilgrimage is on the Craft Brewery Pilgrimage page under Face to Face.
[Image by angelocesare]
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In