California Beer Reviews

The birthplace of craft brewing and people who love hoppy beer.

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Sierra Nevada Hoptimum

by John | California, Imperial / Double IPA, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Snifter, Tulip, United States, Wine Glass | 0 comments

I had a $60 gift card to burn up at Dennis Brothers so I asked John (one of the brothers) to point me in the direction of a good hoppy selection. He recommended a number of brews and highlighted this Hoptimum bomber as one of the best. He was right on. I had just...

The Bruery Hottenroth Berliner Weisse

by Tom Smillie | Berliner Weisse, California, Goblet, Pint Glass, The Bruery, United States | 10 comments

I acquired this bottle for the purpose of doing a side-by-side comparison with Dr. Fritz Briem’s 1809. Being a style that not many breweries produce, I wanted to see how an American replication held up to its German model. Using the same glass (to limit the number of...

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA

by David | American IPA, California, Mug, Pint Glass, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, United States | 7 comments

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is quickly becoming a prime example for how a socially and environmentally responsible company can compete, and indeed succeed, against the careless corporations of America. Their flagship Pale Ale currently stands as one of the...

Firestone Walker 14 Anniversary Ale

by Team | California, Coffee Beers, English Barley Wine, English IPA, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Mug, Oatmeal Stout, Pint Glass, Russian Imperial Stout, Snifter, Spirit-Aged Beers, United States, Wine Glass | 1 comment

Firestone Walker … a brewing company out of Paso Robles, CA that until recently hasn’t gotten much play here in Chicago or the Midwest in general. They’ve been around, though, and right now we’re reviewing/celebrating their 14th Anniversary...

Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA

by Tom Smillie | California, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Imperial / Double IPA, Snifter, Tulip, United States, Wine Glass | 2 comments

Holy Cow!!  What a brew!  My first sample of Firestone Walker has set the bar high.  This IPA was right up my ally with a wonderful clear bronze-honey color body, light malts, and larger-than-life hoppiness.  Since it’s arrival in Chicago, this as been my go-to...

Lost Abbey Red Poppy Ale

by Tom Smillie | California, Flanders Red Ale, Flute Glass, Port Brewing Company, Snifter, Tulip, United States | 0 comments

One of the best representations for a Flemish sour I’ve had!  Vibrant, tart, crisp, and refreshing.  Poured out of a small 12.7 oz corked and caged bottle this brew erupted with beads of bubbles pushing their way to the top of a reddish-brown elixir.  The use of...