Pacific Northwest Beer Chick

Breweries, Beers & Good Times

Slummin’ it in Bellevue. May 16, 2011

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Washington beer — pnwbeerchick @ 8:14 pm

Hubby and I decided to spend the day in Bellevue, WA to see how the “other half” lives (tongue firmly in cheek). Turns out the “other half” is doing just fine. Beautifully maintained streets, high-end shops, and six-figure vehicles are everywhere. It reminded me of Beverly Hills, CA. Oh, and they have two great beer establishments within just feet of each other. I’m speaking of Rock Bottom Brewery and the Tap House Grill.

Rock Bottom, one of CraftWorks Restaurant & Breweries many brands, has two locations in Washington State; Seattle and Bellevue, and 32 other locations across the country. Ok, I know, they’re a chain brewery but, unlike many chain breweries all Rock Bottom beers are brewed on-site and each location has their own distinct style.

Kölsch (5% ABV) – One of my favorite styles of beer, Rock Bottom’s version has a lovely sweet, peach aroma and a crisp, floral flavor and a light hoppy finish. What a great beer for spring.

White Ale (ABV unavailable) – Unfiltered and brewed with coriander and spices, the White Ale has a pretty clove aroma and flavor with floral notes and a crisp finish. This is another great springtime beer.

Rock Bottom IPA (ABV unavailable) – Wow! Talk about hops! But don’t be fooled, the taste is not a strong as you might think. The flavor starts out strong, but a subtle maltiness mellows it out nicely giving this IPA a soft, caramel and citrus finish.

Hop Bomb IPA (6.8% ABV) – Dark golden color and hop aroma, this IPA has the great grapefruit flavor hop heads crave and finishes crisp and clean. Hubby enjoyed this one.

Lumber Jack Red (5.8% ABV) – Great dark amber color and sweet honey aroma and flavor. The red is medium bodied and has a nice subtle fruity finish. This was my favorite beer of the day.

Fire Chief Red (6% ABV) – A toastier version of the Lumber Jack Red, Fire Chief is malty, crisp and has a flavor that reminds me of autumn. This beer would go very nicely on a cool evening next to a bonfire.

The Rock Bottom is beautiful and chic. And the food? Delightful.

After our fantastic lunch we walked about 50 paces away from the brewery to another chic place, the Tap House Grill, to have a pint…or 160…on tap! The Tap House Grill carries various styles of beer and cider from around the world. The wall of tap handles can be a bit overwhelming so take a look at their beer menu. The menu divides the beers on tap by style such as “Ales,” “Wheats,” “India Pale Ales” and “Belgians.” Still don’t know? The Tap House has a variety of sampler trays which includes 4 six-ounce glasses and each tray has a different personality. The Northwest Sampler includes beer brewed in the PNW and the World Tour tray includes beers from around the world. Or, if you’re feeling a bit “adventurous” let the bartender decide for you with the Bartender’s Pick Sampler.

So after a long day of shopping at Neiman Marcus and Jimmy Choo stop in to either one of these great hot spots to kick up your Louis Vuitton heels and enjoy a pint.

Cheers!

Liz

www.rockbottom.com/bellevue

www.taphousegrill.com

 

The British are Coming! April 30, 2011

Filed under: beer,breweries,British Beers & Ciders,Hard Cider,Micro brew — pnwbeerchick @ 5:03 pm

Okay, I admit it! I was one of the sappy folks who could not wait to watch the Royal Wedding! I love a good wedding and nothing tops seeing a gorgeous “commoner” marry her prince. (Sigh) How romantic! So I looked for a beverage that would get me in the spirit of this “fairytale” event, but what to choose?

Tea? Trendy. Bass Ale? Nah, too common. Boddingtons? Newcastle? Too predictable. Then it hit me… what better way to celebrate this happy event than to drink Prince William’s beverage of choice; Cider!

I’m sure many of you are saying “but PNW Beer Chick…cider isn’t beer!” I know, but some of the oldest and most respected beer breweries also dabble in ciders. And why not? Dating as far back as Ancient Egypt, it is one of the oldest fermented beverages in the world and still one of the most popular today. Now, I didn’t grab just any cider. It had to be British. Otherwise what was the point? I wanted something that screamed Great Britain so to me the choice was clear… I grabbed a bottle of Samuel Smith’s Organic Cider.

Samuel Smith’s has been producing some of the Britain’s finest beers since 1758 and it is the oldest brewery in Yorkshire. Best known in the U.S. for their Oatmeal Stout, Nut Brown Ale, and Old Brewery Pale Ale, I was quite excited to find they also made cider. Organically grown apples are used to create a crisp, sweet (but not too sweet), yet slightly dry cider that would make the Prince himself smile. It is light bodied and is perfect for spring, but could easily be a year round cider.  Samuel Smith’s Organic Cider is only 5% ABV, but so delicious it would be quite easy to get carried away.

So, to celebrate “the greatest event of the 21st century”, put on a ridiculously large hat or your favorite morning tux, pour a Samuel Smith’s Organic Cider, and raise a toast to the happy couple!

Cheers!

Liz

www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk

 

Brewing in perfect HARMONy. April 27, 2011

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Tacoma Breweries,Washington beer — pnwbeerchick @ 10:55 pm

 

A staple in the Tacoma, WA brewing scene, Harmon Brewing Company has been crafting beer in Tacoma’s historic University District since 1997. I have been a frequent Harmon customer since moving to “the Sound” four years ago and upon each visit Harmon always has something new and exciting on tap! During this visit I was lucky enough to sample some of the winter and spring seasonal along with Harmon’s flagships.

Mt. Takhoma Blonde (4.4% ABV) – Brewed with Liberty hops, white wheat and German Pilsner malt, this beer is light and crisp with a touch of citrus.  Mt. Takhoma is a very easy beer to drink and perfect for spring and summer. But don’t let the fact that this is a blonde ale fool you, Mt. Takhoma is packed with beautiful flavor. The brewery serves Mt. Takhoma with an orange slice enhancing the lovely citrus characters.

Pinnacle Peak Pale Ale (4.4% ABV) – One of Harmon’s flagship beers, Pinnacle Peak is smooth, light bodied and slightly hoppy with subtle tones of caramel. 2-row malted barley, German malted barley and Palisade and Citra hops balance out the flavor rather nicely. Pinnacle Peak, from what I have been told, is one of the most popular beers served at the brewery. One sip and you will easily see why.

Vanilla Porter (5.4% ABV) – A popular winter seasonal, this was my favorite beer of the day.  Harmon uses 8 different malts and Madagascar vanilla beans to create this full-bodied beauty. Notes of milk chocolate fade in and out while the vanilla is a constant present. I would drink the Vanilla Porter by itself. It’s just too good to pair with any food.

Point Defiance IPA (6.1% ABV) – Okay hop heads, this one is for you! Point defiance IPA is not only one of Harmon’s flagship beers; it is also their most popular. Columbus and Centennial hops along with ten pounds of Amarillo hops creates that beautiful grapefruit aroma and strong hoppy flavor. Point Defiance IPA is a crisp pretty beer that even the most discriminating hop head will fall for. This beer is my hubby’s favorite.

T-Town Brown (6.2% ABV) – I enjoyed this brown ale quite a bit. I took a moment to enjoy the lovely vanilla and brown sugar aroma. Both qualities carried over into the flavor. T-Town Brown is medium to full-bodied and has a rich molasses finish.

Black Tartan IPA (6.8% ABV) – One of the most interesting beers of the day, the Black Tartan had a lot of different characteristics. Think of a stout and an IPA having a baby.  I caught a smoky, dark chocolate flavor but with a hoppy finish. Harmon uses 5 different malted barleys creating a black, full-bodied beer that they brew just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Order one soon before they run out!

Porter Porter (8-9% ABV) – Yes, it’s really called “Porter Porter.” If you like chocolate and coffee, then this winter seasonal is for you. Harmon uses 9 different malted barleys to create this full-bodied, toasty gem. There is a strong, hard “alcoholiness” taste when you first start drinking, but don’t put it down. The hard alcohol taste mellows out by the 2nd or 3rd sip and you end up with a great fireside porter.

Want to try some of Harmon’s beautifully crafted brews? You don’t have to go far. Harmon has three locations in Tacoma that also serve a great variety of food dishes; Harmon Brewery & Eatery, The Taproom, and The Hub.  Can’t make it to the brewery? Pubs all over the Puget Sound serve up Harmon’s creations on tap. Want to take it home? Harmon by the bottle can be found in many of your local Puget Sound grocery stores or whole food markets. So really, you have no excuse not to enjoy a Harmon beer.

Cheers!

Liz

www.harmonbrewingco.com

 

Hops & Props and Beers! Oh my! April 15, 2011

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Seattle Hops & Props — pnwbeerchick @ 7:30 pm

 

What could be better than walking among some of the most beautiful and historically significant aircrafts ever built? Why, doing it with a pint in your hand of course! On April 9th, Seattle’s Museum of Flight hosted their 9th annual Hops & Props event. Fifty-six breweries from around the world brought their best spring brews and ciders along with a few flagships sprinkled in.  The entire museum was open to explore during the event and the brewers were mixed throughout the exhibits. But enough of my gibberish, let’s get to the beers!

There were so many fabulous beers that it was difficult to just focus on a few for this article. Of course it would have been physically impossible for me to try all 119 beers and ciders (unless I was willing to take an ambulance ride) so I will hit on my top 5 favorites and a couple of the “not so much” beers.

The Best  

#5 Avatar Jasmine IPA – Elysian Brewing (6.3% ABV) Seattle, WA – Being one of my favorite breweries in Washington (if not my absolute favorite) Elysian, again, does not disappoint. This tasty IPA is brewed with 4 different malts, Glacier and Amarillo hops, and dried jasmine flowers. The aroma is nice with a lovely citrus and floral note. Avatar starts hoppy and finishes clean. The jasmine flowers level out the hard grapefruit flavor you normally get with an IPA. This beer is perfect for spring and summer.

#4 Summer Solstice – Fremont Brewing (5.2% ABV) Seattle, WA – Fremont Brewing describes this beer as “Tangerine flower in a glass” and I couldn’t agree more. 2-row Pale malt and Amarillo hops create a soft, fruity beer with a nice floral finish.  Simplicity at its finest!

#3 Spring Fever Grand Cru – Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company (7% ABV) Snoqualmie, WA – Coriander, orange, and a little banana clove are the flavors that make this beer a refreshing treat for spring and summer. Pretty aroma and flavor, Spring Fever Grand Cru reminded me more of an orange spiced iced tea than a beer. But be careful! This beer is deceptive at 7% ABV. Delicious!

#2 Samuel Smith’s Organic Strawberry Ale – Samuel Smith (5.2% ABV) N. Yorkshire, England – I enjoy a good fruit beer and this beer from Samuel Smith’s is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Full bodied and fruity, the Organic Strawberry Ale is very similar to the Belgian fruit ales and tastes more like dessert than beer. If you like strawberries, this is the ale for you!

#1 Odin’s Pearl – Odin Brewing Company (5% ABV) Seattle, WA – Hands down this beer was my absolute favorite of the event! This unfiltered Belgian Wheat Ale is medium bodied and carries notes of clove, mace spice, and orange blossoms. The finish is clean and crisp.  I can’t say enough about this gorgeous beer and can hardly wait to get my hands on this beauty of an ale again!

The Worst

Unfortunately, not all the beers I sampled were great. In fact there was a couple that were downright satanic! For example; I had such high hopes for Three Skulls Blood Orange Wit. The description given by the brewers of “a strong coriander presence is followed with a crisp finish” sounded very intriguing. I envisioned an unfiltered wit beer with a nice blood orange essence. What I received resembled watery lemonade and tasted like a watered down sweet tart.  Disappointing. 

But, the award for the worst beer of the evening goes to 192 Brewing Co.’s Granny’s Apple Ale. Now, I have NEVER dumped out a beer before, no matter how much I didn’t like it. But this beer sent even me over the edge! The smell and taste were like grabbing a warm apple juice box. In fact, this beer was so bad I really can’t give a description. I promptly poured it down the bathroom sink, found my rosary beads, and said 5 “Our Father’s” and 5 “Hail Mary’s.” 

Though there were a couple of less than palatable brews, the evening was not lost. McCormick & Schmick’s catered the event and there was live music echoing through the halls. One drawback would be that there are really no hotels near the museum. We stayed in Pioneer Square so after our hotel bill, cab ride to and from the museum, and price of admission we spent a pretty penny. All in all it was a lovely evening and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Would I do it again? We’ll just have to wait until next year.

 

Cheers!

Liz

www.odinbrewing.com

www.elysianbrewing.com

www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk

www.fremontbrewing.com

www.fallsbrew.com

 

Happy National Beer Day! April 7, 2011 April 7, 2011

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Uncategorized,Washington beer — pnwbeerchick @ 8:21 pm

It was on this day in 1933, the Cullen-Harrison Act, signed a month earlier by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, legalized the sale of beer with an alcohol content of no more than 3.2% and in the United States. This act paved the way for the eventual repeal of the 18th amendment bringing an end to the “dark times” known as Prohibition. So raise your glass and give thanks!

Cheers!

Liz

 

The Best of Orange County (part 4) April 5, 2011

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Orange County Breweries,Orange County Pubs,Southern California Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 9:29 pm

As my series on Orange County pubs and microbreweries comes to a close I decided to save the best for last. The Olde Ship Pub & Restaurant and Heroes Bar & Grill are two Orange County icons that are very near and dear to my heart.

For close to eighteen years The Olde Ship in Fullerton, CA has been serving up some of the best and most authentic British beers and cuisine in Orange County. Upon first entering this cozy little pub (and I do mean little), you are surrounded by all things British. Low ceilings, dark wood paneling and beams, and more Queen Elizabeth stuff than Buckingham Palace! The Olde Ship prides itself on being British owned and operated, the almost completely British staff is warm, friendly and welcoming. In fact, The Olde Ship catch phrase is “You’ll be a stranger here but once.” What’s on tap? The best of Britain of course! Brews such as Boddingtons, Harp, Smithwick’s (pronounced “smidicks”), Abbot Ale, Fullers London Pride, Old Speckled Hen, and Blackthorn Cider are poured almost non-stop. And no British pub is complete without Guinness on tap.

The Olde Ship also serves some great, rustic, authentic pub food. The fish and chips are some of the best in Orange County along with “Bounty’s Bangers & Mash” and “Churchill’s Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding.” And the dessert…good night nurse! You haven’t lived until you’ve tried the Rhubarb Crumble or the Sticky Toffee Pudding.  If you are with a large group of friends, you may want to check out their larger, roomier location in Santa Ana, CA. The Olde Ship was the first British pub I ever stepped foot in and remains one of my all time favorite pubs. If you’re looking for a great place to sit back, relax, and actually have a conversation with your “mates” without yelling to be heard, the Old Ship is your place.

Up the road a few blocks sits the pub that started it all for me; Heroes Bar & Grill. It was here in this eclectic, unique, fun pub 17 years ago that my husband introduced me to my first “real” beer. That moment forever changed how I looked at not just microbreweries, but the beer culture in general. The walls and ceiling are saturated with antiques, vintage beer advertisements, and old photographs humbling one to remember that there were others enjoying life long before we were. Kick through the peanut shell covered floor, mosey up to the bar and stand in awe of the 119 beers on tap. Say what? Yes, 119 wonderful beers from around the world on tap! But don’t be overwhelmed, the bartenders are very knowledgeable about what they are pouring and can help you choose the right brew for you. Luckily for me, three of the beers on tap that day were from Bootlegger’s Brewery, Orange County’s newest and most exciting microbrewery.

I started off with Bootlegger’s Old World Hefeweizen. This unfiltered beauty has the gorgeous banana clove and wheat aroma that I just love. Clean, crisp and lightly hopped, this is a well balanced beer. Next up was the Palomino American Pale Ale. This ale had a smooth, creamy, almost nitro-feel with subtle hints of orange, spice and hops. I really enjoyed this ale. Lastly, I was pummeled by the Knuckle Sandwich Double IPA. I knew this beer wasn’t going to be a cakewalk; it’s a Double IPA after all. But, what I didn’t expect was to actually enjoy it. This IPA deceptively starts out smooth and then POW! Knuckle Sandwich punches you right in the face. I enjoyed the beers from Bootlegger’s and look forward to sampling their other brews.

Orange County is amazing. There’s no other place like it on earth and I look forward to my next visit and see what other new hot spots crop up. I hope you enjoyed my series on the Best of Orange County. Now, back to the PNW.

Cheers,

Liz

 www.theoldeship.com

www.heroesrestaurant.com

www.bootleggersbrewery.com

 

The Best of Orange County (part 3) March 28, 2011

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Orange County Breweries,Orange County Pubs,Southern California Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 10:16 pm

Microbreweries lightly dot Orange County, each brewing with their own style and character.  Two of these breweries have become staples in the “OC.” Tustin Brewery has been serving up some of the best award-winning beers in Orange County since 1996.  Resembling a French château, Tustin brewery is just as pretty outside as it is inside. When visiting a few weeks ago we were somewhat limited on time. But, we did sample some of the “good stuff.”

Being a fan of wheat beers, I enjoyed the Lemon Heights Hefeweizen. Unfiltered and spicy with hints of lemon, this light hefeweizen would go great with any meal. You will definitely want to forgo the lemon it is served with. This flavorful beer doesn’t need it.  The American Pale Ale had a great hoppy aroma and flavor. Grapefruit and lemon gave this pale ale a great kick and clean finish. Lastly, we enjoyed Jackson’s Double IPA. For you “hop heads” out there, this beer is for you. Hardcore hops and citrus aroma hit you as soon as you raise you glass. The taste? Grapefruit and pine pulverize the palate. This beer is not for wimps.

Located directly across the street from the Honda Center in Anaheim, JT Schmid’s Restaurant and Brewery has become a permanent fixture in the “OC.” The restaurant is large, contemporary and chic. The beer isn’t bad either. I ordered the taster and started off with the JT Light.  Very light yellow in color, it looked more like lemonade than beer. But the flavor was anything but. JT Light has a sweet, straw flavor, a soft wheat aroma, and a crisp finish and would go great with a meal or on its own.

JT’s California Hefeweizen is another great “anytime” beer. The floral, spicy aroma grabs you and the banana clove and citrus flavor seals the deal. Yummy! Next up was the Anaheim India Pale Ale. This medium bodied ale is a bit on the hoppy side with flavors of grapefruit, caramel and orange. It’s an easy pale ale to drink so at 6.9 % ABV I had to watch my intake. Emil’s Amber has a deep, pretty red color. German hops are used to give a nutty, caramel flavor to this lightly hopped, malty brew.

 JT Schmid’s Extra Stout is ink-black and has a thick, tan head. I caught a whiff of brown sugar and roasted coffee. The flavor was every girls dream…dark chocolate! This was a full-bodied beer that should be sipped on its own. Lastly on my taster tray was the America Brown. This full-bodied brown ale was toasty, smooth and slightly bitter. Hints of molasses and brown sugar sweetened it up, but almost to the point of sickening sweet. Not bad, but a bit over the top on the sweetness.

When beginning the Best of Orange County I originally planned on a three-part series. But, there are still a few more hot spots worth mentioning so, being a female, I changed my mind. The fourth and final entry on my week in Orange County is coming soon!

Cheers!                                                                                                                                                  

Liz

www.jtschmidsrestaurants.com

www.tustinbrewery.com

 

The Best of Orange County (Part 2) March 20, 2011

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Orange County Breweries,Orange County Pubs,Southern California Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 11:44 am

If you have never been to a Southern California beach, you are really missing out. The sand is beautiful and white, the board walks and piers are filled with great shops and restaurants, and on a clear day you can see Catalina Island.  

Nestled along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway (“PCH” to the locals), Huntington Beach is unpretentious, beautiful, and the most laid back of the Orange County beach towns. Located just a half-block from PCH is the Huntington Beach Beer Company. If you are looking for great food, wonderful beer, and a gorgeous ocean view, this is your place. But enough of my rambling, let’s get to the beer!

Golden Bear Brown Ale is an English style ale that is dark amber in color, and the aroma and flavor is reminiscent of iced coffee.   I’m not a huge fan of IPA’s, but the brewery’s Indicator IPA could make me a believer. This IPA is unfiltered with light hops and the flavor and aroma of citrus and jasmine flowers. Indicator IPA is a wonderfully flavorful, spicy beer for spring.  Uncle Wilford’s Irish Red Ale is medium-bodied and has a sweet aroma and nice butterscotch flavor. The Irish Red would go very well with a burger. My favorite brew from HB Beer Co. is the Huntington Beach Blonde Ale. Light gold in color, this pretty ale has a sweet, floral aroma and a crisp, clean finish. The Blonde Ale is a perfect beach beer.

A few miles down PCH is another great seaside town with another great brewery. Newport Beach Brewing Company opened its doors in 1995 becoming Orange County’s second brewery. Brewing according to the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, or “Reinheitsgebot”, NB Brewing crafts some of the best, award-winning beers in Orange County. My father-in-law and I enjoyed The Wedge Weizen and the Newport Beach Blonde. Beautifully unfiltered, The Wedge Weizen has that wonderful banana clove aroma and flavor that I just adore and slight hints of fruit nicely round this beer out. The Newport Beach Blonde is another perfect beach or poolside brew. It’s light, crisp and floral with a nice clean finish. Scott really liked the Pelican Pale Ale. Using Cascade hops, the pale ale is dry hopped giving it a great citrus flavor and aroma. 

The beaches of Orange County are like no others I have been to. Maybe I’m a bit partial, being a Southern California girl, but one only needs to walk down the shoreline and piers to understand how lucky we are to have a beautiful coastline.

 Part three of The Best of Orange County is coming soon!

Cheers,

Liz

www.hbbeerco.com

www.newportbeachbrewingcompany.com

 

 

The Best of Orange County (part 1) March 17, 2011

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Orange County Breweries,Orange County Pubs,Southern California Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 11:24 pm

It has only been ten months since our last visit to my beloved Orange County, but it seems like a lifetime. Blue sky, fluffy white clouds and beautiful 75 degree weather stayed with us throughout our entire trip. Don’t get me wrong, I love the PNW, but in the words of Dorothy Gale, “There’s no place like home.”

Orange County has always had a strong pub scene, but new pubs are opening up all the time and micro-breweries are finally starting to make their presence known. In the next three blogs I’m going to share some of my favorite haunts and a few new breweries and pubs that have cropped up the last few years. Trust me; Orange County, California is more than just Disneyland!

First stop…The Auld Irisher in Orange, CA. Located in the Stadium Promenade just steps from the Honda Center; The Auld Irisher prides itself as Orange County’s first authentic Irish pub. To create the feel of an authentic Irish pub, theentire pub was hand crafted in Dublin, Ireland then imported and assembled where it stands today by Irish tradesman. The pub pours a great selection of traditional Irish and British beers along with many guest taps. The food is as authentic as you can get and the atmosphere is warm and cozy. It’s a great place to hang out with friends and has an outside patio. The downside? Classic rock blasting through the speakers until the live band starts. Call me crazy, but an “authentic” Irish pub should be playing authentic Irish music. We visit The Auld Irisher whenever in town.

One of Orange County’s newest breweries, The Bruery, opened a tasting room in Old Town Orange. Scott and I have wanted to sample these brews for a couple of years now and we finally had our chance last week. The tasting room itself is quite nice. The seating area is cozy and you can also purchase cheese and meat platters to go with your beer or wine flight. There is quite a selection of micro-brews, import beers and wine available for purchase in bottles. I’m a huge fan of Belgian-style beer and The Bruery specializes in crafting such brews. We sampled 12 of The Bruery’s own beers but for the sake of time (and the fear of rambling on) I will touch on a few of our favorites. 

My husband’s favorite beer, and one we could both agree on, was the Loakal Red. The Bruery uses Centennial hops and age the ale in American oak barrels for a truly unique flavor. This is a hoppy, medium to full-bodied ale with hints of caramel, vanilla, and pine tree. Loakal Red is an interesting and delicious ale. My two personal favorites are the Orchard White and the Imperial White Orchid.  Orchard White is a Belgian-style wit beer spiced with coriander, citrus peel and lavender. Yes, lavender. The aroma is heavenly and the taste is just as sweet. The Imperial White Orchid is another lovely spring time beer but a bit strong in alcohol, 9% ABV to be exact. Brewed with orange peel, coriander and nutmeg, this beer has a very pretty honey, floral aroma and taste. The Bruery is quickly making a name for itself and has fast become an Orange County favorite.

As you can see our first two days in Orange County were filled to the brim. Once we got past the sticker shock of $6.00 pints we had a wonderful time. Part 2 of my 3-part blog will be posted in a few days.

Cheers,

Liz

www.auldirisher.com

www.thebruery.com

 

where the heck am i? March 13, 2011

Filed under: breweries,Micro brew,Orange County Breweries,Orange County Pubs,Southern California Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 11:59 am

I’m in Orange Co., California checking out the pub and micro-brew scene. Will fill you all in when I get back!

Cheers!

Liz