California Beer Reviews
The birthplace of craft brewing and people who love hoppy beer.
by Tom Smillie | Beer Reviews, California, Imperial / Double IPA, Port Brewing Company, Snifter, Tulip, United States, Wine Glass |
Created to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Pizza Port location, this beer is the brain child of hop heads. It utilizes a medley of 15 different hops (varieties not given) that are then added in 15 minutes increments. If that does not excite the inner hop junkie...
by Tom Smillie | Anchor Brewing Company, Beer Reviews, California, English Bitter (ESB) / Pale Ale, Mug, Pint Glass, United States |
Served in irony, Anchor Small comes in a 1.6 fl oz bottle and has an interesting story. This low abv beer is made by using the second run off (see sparge) from the leftover grains used to make their Old Foghorn Barleywine. This idea is actually very earth friendly...
by Tom Smillie | American / Robust Porter, Anchor Brewing Company, Beer Reviews, California, Mug, Pint Glass, Porter, United States |
In the midst of sampling their Christmas Ale (’99-’11 vertical) I took a break to indulge on this wonderfully crafted dark ale. I’ve had this beer before, but it has been a few years since. I wanted to revisit it for a few reasons: 1) it is good...
by Tom Smillie | Anchor Brewing Company, Beer Reviews, California, Mug, Pint Glass, Spiced / Herbed / Vegetable Beers, United States, Winter Ale / Warmer |
Tree: Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak) I found the latin name rather humorous. “Agrifolia” sounds close to agriphobia. Not sure what would happen if a tree had a fear of farming? I digress. Another stout-like brew for this year’s batch. It...
by Tom Smillie | Anchor Brewing Company, Beer Reviews, California, Mug, Pint Glass, Spiced / Herbed / Vegetable Beers, United States, Winter Ale / Warmer |
Tree: Populus fremontii (Fremont/Alamo Cottonwood) Picking up where I left of yesterday, I found myself pouring vintage 2002. The contents of the bottle was much darker this time around and the head much more dense than before. Looking through the glass into some...
by Tom Smillie | Anchor Brewing Company, Beer Reviews, California, Mug, Pint Glass, Porter, Spiced / Herbed / Vegetable Beers, United States, Winter Ale / Warmer |
Tree: Washingtonia filifera (California/Desert/Arizona Fan Palm) Pouring a deeper ruby reddish color it looked more like a Scottish style ale mixed with a Porter. The head plumed rather fast and formed a tight knit beige barrier. When it came to the aroma, this...