Grilling in 2011

Here's some food for thought:

There's a certain barbecue warrior spirit that awakens within a man as he lights that grill.  And as a warrior arms himself for the battle, so does a grillmaster take up a beer.  He charges into the fray, mounted high atop his mighty fermented steed to general the conflict between meat and fire... Actually almost any beer will do, but there's something magical that happens when you pick just the right brew to accompany your bbq.  Dale's Pale Ale is mostly magical anyway, but drinking out of a can somehow enhances the grilling experience.  It somehow just feels right, the aluminum, I mean.  Lots of picking up and putting down, switching plates, tongs and spatulas everywhere, the bustle of tools and lots of repositioning ... Keep in mind that canned #craftbeer is also perfect for putting up Christmas lights on the other side of the year.

It helps that Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale matched up perfectly with the grub on this storied day.  We had some marinated beef, peppers, scallops, onions, and mushrooms on the skewers.  The kabobs were extremely flavorful (and cooked to perfection, I might add) but there was nothing overwhelming in the dish that competed with the voluminously hopped mutha of a pale ale that I was drinking.  Sometimes the beer and food compete for flavor dominance, but Dale's is so well-balanced that it accompanies almost any meal with grace.

 bbq 2011

So here in the "Frantic Mid-Lantic" a good #craftbeer to accompany some nice grilled food seems to be the forecast from late March til about Thanksgiving.  Here are some pics of other really nice canned brews.  Recognize the #IPADay challenge?  You may also recall some of these from my can-ping trip review a few months back, but it's always nice to think about barbecuing and camping when you're definitely staring at a phone or computer screen right now, and you're probably stuck inside.


Let's not forget about our bottled friends.  Cans are great, but the vast majority of craft brews out there still served in glass.  Keep in mind that the beers may get progressively lighter as the weather gets warmer as well; See Also  Victory: Summer Love, Prima Pils, Hop Devil;  Flying Fish: XPA, Farmhouse Summer: Troegs: Sunshine Pils, Pale Ale, Dream Weaver; Yards: Philly Pale, Saison; Bear Republic: Racer 5, Hop Rod Rye; Ithaca: Flower Power, Cascazilla.  These are just a few of my go-to brews for grilling up your grub.  What's your favorite brew for cooking outdoors? Do you prefer cans or bottles?  It is certainly more important to acknowledge what's inside the vessel, but all the senses are involved when you enjoy a nice #craftbeer, especially when you are the one doing the cooking.  Let us know, and don't forget to use a pot holder or something.  Cheers!

Pilsener House - NJ's First Authentic Biergarten Is Now Open!

This just in!  The Pilsener Haus Biergarten is now open for business!  We at the Nation first heard about the Pilsener Haus from our friends at New Jersey Craft Beer (@NJCraftBeer).  Now the whole world knows!  Check it out, won't you...

This comes to us from Gail Schoenberg (gail@gailpr.com):

It's been two years in the making...

Pilsener Haus & Biergarten is proud to announce

they are now open for business!

New Jersey's first truly authentic biergarten offers 

the old-world experience that Europeans have enjoyed for centuries.

Welcome!

Pilsener Haus'  bar features 20 premium draft beers, including Pilsener Haus Original Brew,  imported from Germany.

The full beer list boasts almost 50 bottles,

including select American craft beers.

View the draft list here.

View the bottle list here.

Pilsener Haus' bar -- centerpiece of the massive bier hall

An Exceptional Austro-Hungarian Menu

Pilsener Haus & Biergarten's Chef Thomas Ferlesch, 

formerly of Cafe des Artistes and Brooklyn's Thomas Beisl,

has created a genuine biergarten menu of

schnitzels, wursts, charcuterie and more.

Hoboken has gained not just a biergarten,

but a superb restaurant as well.

View the Pilsener Haus menu here.

Fun, beer, food & fellowship at communal tables crafted from re-purposed barn wood

Brought to you by one of the founders of Brooklyn's Radegast,

Pilsener Haus will also feature a regular schedule of live music.

Biergarten...restaurant...music venue

10,000 square feet of tradition come to Hoboken!

Read more about Pilsener Haus & Biergarten here.

1422 Grand Street

Hoboken, NJ

201.683.5465

Open Monday - Friday, 5 pm to 2 am

Saturday - Sunday, noon to 2 am

www.pilsenerhaus.com 

Photos, interviews, and recipes available on request.

Contact

Gail Schoenberg

gail@gailpr.com

(201) 460-3672

Monk's Cafe

Stopped by Monk's on Saturday night and tried an amazing oak aged Flemish red ale.  It was called Mestreechs Aajt and it was pretty darn awesome.  I know that Flemish sour ales can be a bit challenging to folks who are used to more accessible balances of malt and hops... I myself shrunk  back in horror the first time I tried one.  Then I discovered Russian River Consecration and marveled at its complexity.  The sour tang got my tastebuds jumpin' and I began to taste flavors I hadn't been able to appreciate before.  Well, behold: Intro to Sour Beers starring Mestreechs Aajt.
This brew is a lovely red color and has just a hint of cherry in the aroma.  You can taste a bit of tart cherry in the beer as well, which complements the acidity nicely.  Is there a little vinegar-taste in there?  You bet.  But the sweetness of the fruit tames it enough for Mestreechs Aajt to be infinitely quaffable.  In fact, I've ordered plenty of sour beers in the past, but usually one in a row is enough for me.  I tend to move onto something a bit more accessible after duking it out with a Flemish sour or oak-aged wild ale.  But for the first time, I stuck with the sour brew twice in a row.  That speaks to the dual nature of Mestreechs Aajt: friendly yet challenging.  I would recommend this sour brew to anyone who thinks they don't like sour brews.  This may just open up a portal to a whole new world of possibilities.

#IPADay Roundup

Between midnight on Thursday morning August 4th and midnight on August 5th, I happened to go out with some friends to enjoy a few beers.  Since many of us in the blogosphere were recognizing #IPADay as a fun little holiday, I decided to celebrate by having a few IPAs.  Is that so wrong?  Here are some of the selections I enjoyed during the hours of #IPADay 2011:

Flying Fish Exit 16 Firkin (@jerseyfreshales) @ThePourHouseNJ. Less carbonation and a smoother, creamier delivery really warms the belly. I'm finding it to be less bitter and more citrusy. Bright and happy!

Here was another fine #IPADay brew: @AveryBrewingCo IPA. Earthy and funky. The malt pops after it warms up a bit.

Is there a #DoubleIPADay? @Weyerbacher Double Simcoe @ThePourHouseNJ. Rich, sticky, floral, bitter! This one is hard to pass up when you see it on tap.

Whew! @AveryBrewingCo Maharaja Imperial #IPA 10.46% abv, 102 IBUs. BIG & brutal, balanced by extremes in malt and hops that battle for dominance. Not in a bad way...

Well, I think that's a fine sampling of #IPAs that would satisfy the cravings of even the most ravenous IPA drinkers. From sessionable to imperial, I think I had a successful #IPADay. We here at the Ferment Nation hope you enjoyed yours as well.

If I may opine... beer drinking is fun under most circumstances. I feel that should be enjoyed to its fullest extent by those who have the capacity to do it safely. The brewers who craft it should be commended for their work and it is the variety and availability of so many different styles that make the craft beer scene so vibrant. But is it really so wrong to take a few moments to highlight a specific style? Especially if the other styles will eventually get their turn? Does #IPADay attack something sacred and pure about drinking whatever beer makes you happy? If we "shouldn't" celebrate the IPA as a style, does that mean we "shouldn't" go to a barleywine festival, or a firkin event, or a Belgian night, or a stout challenge... If you can't have a little fun drinking your beer then I don't know what to tell you. If you're not in favor of #IPADay, don't celebrate it.  

It's possible that this debate may come up in the next few weeks at #BBC11, but I hope it's not polarizing. #IPADay made for some cool specials at the local bars and some interesting tweets, so I had fun with it. Hope you did too. Cheers!

#IPADay re-review Green Flash West Coast IPA

Whether you love #IPADay, hate it, are tired of it, or simply just don't care, many folks are celebrating the style today.  So here's an #IPA review from awhile back, highlighting one of my favorites:

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Green Flash West Coast IPA

Green Flash West Coast IPA (draft):

Superior IPA. Chilled-out enough to recommend to any lover of good beers but bold enough to stash away for the occasional hop-fits that plague the hop-head from time to time. Stable malty skeleton with citrusy hops fleshed out on top. Grapefruity yet not overpowering. Light to medium in body with a bitterness up front. The bitterness disappears for the swallow and then magically reappears at the finish. Mystically good.

IPA lovers, drop what you're doing and grab one of these. Sometimes you need a pale; sometimes you need a double or an imperial; sometimes you need something just right. I'd put this in the "go-to" category right along with Victory Hop Devil or Dogfish Head 90 Minute. Also be sure to check out Green Flash Hop Head Red andLe Freak for daring drinkability.

Green Flash West Coast IPA is also one of a rare breed of brews that has a three-pronged attack: bottle, glass, or draft. This is a premier IPA, boasting 95 IBUs and cruising in at 7.3% abv.

As we enter Football Season, here's some Presidential advice: Definitely bring this one with you to a tailgater but guard it closely. You can protect it by saying, "You wouldn't like that... it's too bitter" (and you would be telling the God's honest truth), or you can be a hero to that random hop-head who eyes your brew knowingly. Use a West Coast IPA to barter for an awesome bratwurst sandwich or something but stand your ground on the value of this brew. Rare exception: that guy who has nothing to offer but stands in awe of your superior beer selection. You may bestow a Green Flash West Coast IPA upon this fellow traveler if you see in his eyes the determination to outdo you next time you meet. A truly grateful citizen of the FermentNation will take on this quest and deliver the goods.

Why not let the Brewmaster say it for himself: "A menagerie of hops are layered throughout the brewing process. Simcoe for unique fruitiness and grapefruit zest, Columbus for strong hop pungency, Centennial for pine and citrus notes, Cascade for floral aroma. A multi-dimensional hop experience." --Chuck Silva, Brewmaster.

Green Flash West Coast IPA:

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: 1.0

Style: 1.0

Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 4.0 Flags

#IPADay in the can

Let's prepare a little more for Thursday's #IPADay.  Here's a post from over a year ago, posted by the V.P.  Canned beer has taken even bigger strides since then, but here's a showdown between three different #IPAs:

Saturday, May 22, 2010

IPA in a Can Showdown (Citizen Review)

IPA in a Can Showdown:

As a preface to the criticism and praise, it was pretty great that we could even review more than one craft brewery IPA in a can. Cans are great for coolers and for keeping beer cold, they are probably less expensive to produce for breweries, are easier to stack and transport and less prone to destruction if you drop one. BUT, I could not name off the top of my head a single craft beer available in a can other thanDale's Pale Ale. So why the reluctance on the part of craft breweries? Not sure. Maybe its a pride thing- big breweries use cans, craft breweries use casks and bottles? I guess we will see in the future, but I say, especially for summertime, let's see more cans!

So, we were three reviewers drinking three IPA beers in cans. We conferred with initial tastings and then secondary tastings, and then passed judgment on all three as to the order of quality in taste and representation as India Pale Ales. Here are the notes that were taken. In the interest of propriety and politeness, I will say that the views expressed in the following notes do not necessarily represent the views of The Ferment Nation.

1. 21st Amendment Brewery - Brew Free or Die IPA

- No smell/can smell

- Awful “yommy” aftertaste

- Great design on can

2. Caldera Brewing Company IPA

- Funky

- Cat piss mell

- Not undrinkable, but close

- Can design and green tab bad calls

- More like a pale ale

- Stinky stinky

- Lightest color of the three

3. Sly Fox Route 113 IPA

- Grassy, excellent aftertaste

- Bite that we were looking for

- Nice can

- Nice caramel hue

- Does not taste like it came out of a can

The clear winner was Sly Fox's Route 113 IPA. In second place was 21st Amendment, and coming in last was Caldera. And although Citizen E. has a connection to Suzanne Woods of BeerLass.com fame, I will not doubt her opinion as being unduly influenced. I totally agree with the overall judgement. As a final comment, I would say that all three IPAs fall short of outstanding representatives of the style like Green Flash's West Coast IPA, or even recent favorites of mine like Bell's Two Hearted Ale and Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA. Obviously, now there are a whole lot more craft beers in cans than a year or two ago, and producing beers in cans could be the future, but it looks like there is still much work to be done. And so we wait, patiently, thirstily.

Haverhill "Leatherlips" IPA

In preparation for #IPADay this Thursday, August 4th, we at the Ferment Nation are re-visiting some previous IPA posts for your reading pleasure.  How will YOU celebrate #IPADay?  You will be celebrating, right?  This is one that I brought home from the #BBC10 "Night of Many Bottles."  Enjoy!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Haverhill "Leatherlips" IPA

Haverhill "Leatherlips" IPA:

Leatherlips IPA from Haverhill Brewery in Haverhill, MA was a score from the Beer Bloggers Conference in Boulder, CO. Dan (on Tap) handed me a tub of ice stocked with unopened brews from our BYOB event and said, "Take this!" So I did. A bunch of bloggers hung out awhile longer and sampled some more brews after the event "ended" at 11:00 pm. But we couldn't get to everything, could we? So here it is back in South Jersey, just waiting to be reviewed...

Leatherlips is potently dry and has a pleasant hoppy bitterness. It's only listed at 50 i.b.u.s, which is a little less than I was expecting. I figured the measurement would be higher, considering the nice grapefruity aftertaste. Centennial and Chinook hops are listed as the main culprits in the bitterness department, which makes sense considering the brew's passing resemblance to Founders Centennial IPA.

What I didn't know about Leatherlips was that it would be the perfect accompaniment to my meal. My wonderful lettuce wraps (thanks, Honey) were prepared with brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mushrooms, chicken, and onions. The earthy, tangy, caramelized sweetness of the food needed a dry, citrusy beer to cut through the richness and cleanse the palate. Likewise, the brown sugar sweetness attacked the beer's bitter aftertaste in a really pleasant battle of the buds.

I have to say that as an IPA, Leatherlips gets the job done but doesn't exactly raise the bar. Though at 5% abv, it's worth trying a few to see how it goes. This is a session beer with quite a lot of flavor; super-fresh from the tap in Haverhill, MA may be the way to taste this one. I just may do that someday. Keep in mind, it's perfect for cutting through a sweet and tangy meal. It would go great with some honey-bbq ribs or chicken, too, so look for it to come up big at a tailgater or barbecue.

Haverhill "Leatherlips" IPA:

Representation: .795

Accessibility: .925

Style: .88

Personal Preference: .895

Total Score: 3.495 Flags

Two Great Beers at the Perch Pub in Philly

If you haven't gotten a chance to get to the Perch Pub up above the corner of Broad and Locust in Philly, I highly recommend it.  In addition to friendly service, and a lovely open and bright atmosphere (lovely and open and bright? Is this really a bar in Philly?), they have a penchant for really good regional craft beers, and they have a kick-ass happy hour every day of the week.  Find out more by following them on Twitter @PerchPub or follow us @FermentNation, because we re-tweet a lot of their tweets!

Here are two great beers I had there earlier this month.  The first was Blue Point No Apologies Double IPA, which they say is a "very, very limited draft."  It's a European/American style double IPA and is 10% abv. On that day I observed that the beer was not grassy or floral in teh bouquet.  The caramel and malt hit you up front.  It's only when you keep the beer in your mouth for a while and take several sips that it dries out a bit and you experience the hoppy effect.  The beer bites you a bit in the back of the throat. This beer is definitely rich and made for sipping.  I liked it a lot.  (Read more of our Blue Point reviews)

The second beer was Ithaca Dark Humor.  This was a collaboration between Ithaca and Iron Hill, two breweries I really enjoy.  They describe it as a "Summer Porter."  I really liked this beer.  I thought it tasted sweet and creamy.  The taste lingers, too.  It's roasty yet light tasting and quite delicious.  My two beer buddies with me at the Perch Pub agreed with me, and we even recommended it to a couple of other patrons before we left. (Read more of our Ithaca reviews)

I will be definitely be going back to the Perch Pub often.  If you stop by between 5-7pm, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.  --The VP

My Trip to Russian River

Hello Citizens!  Not only did I get to visit Bear Republic on my road trip to sunny California, but I also sampled some of Russian River's finest beverages and grub.  Their pizza is amazing and mmmmm... Pliny Bites...
Anyway, some of the most elusive brews for us East Coasters are on tap all the time at their point of origin, Russian River Brewing Company.

I am ashamed to admit that I didn't get a chance to taste everything.  Hey, it was a long week of wineries and breweries so I could only go so far without ruining my ability to taste more luscious drinks the following day.  Brief recap:
Pliny the Elder: Quite nearly perfect.  The balance was not upset by the gratuitous use of hops and I'll be trying to catch up with any bar that's lucky enough to grab a keg of this delightful Double IPA.  8% abv and 100 IBUs.
Russian River IPA: Really awesome brew with a bit more malt than hops.  Hop Heads won't be disappointed... unless they drink Pliny first.  62 IBUs and 6.5% abv.
Consecration: My fave of the bunch, Consecration is aged in American Cabernet Sauvignon barrels.  Along with the wild yeast, currants added during the aging process add lots of tartness.  My first encounters with sour ales some years ago weren't so hot, but Consecration grabbed my attention because of its complexity.  Oh, that and the 10% abv.
Supplication: 7% brown ale aged in French oak Pinot Noir barrels.  Made with brettanomyces and some other wild yeast strains that I simply can't type.  Sour cherries also make their presence know in a big way.  Only 27 IBUs but outrageous flavor.

Overall, I was supremely impressed by the brews and pizza at Russian River.  It's only about 2700 miles from where I live, so maybe I'll get back there someday.  I certainly hope so.  Russian River is where I met Andy, the citizen reviewer who brought you his thoughts on Jack D'or.  Cheers, Andy!

Anybody who gets a chance to sample any brews from Russian River are welcome to submit their pics and reviews, but in the meantime, check out the pictures in the slideshow.  I even included a picture from our canoe trip down the actual Russian River.  It's beautiful, by the way, and relaxing canoeing for those who are interested in such things.  Cheers!

http://www.russianriverbrewing.com/index.html

Blanche de Bruxelles

Here's a review from one of my best friends in the world.  Crazy Tom is a lover of life and he's always on the lookout for a good brew.  Blanche de Bruxelles is one of the very first beers I ever reviewed on this blog, so it holds a very special place in my heart.  Kinda like Tom.  Let's hear what he has to say:

It's 90 degrees, the kids are napping, and I'm awfully close to Baker Street pub which is conveniently located on my block. I send an image of the beer menu to El Presidente, and he swiftly eyes the Blanche De Bruxelles Belgian Wheat. Ohhhhhh! Summer sizzle squelched by a refreshing cascade of light but flavorful brew. I love it. I actually taste the coriander and orange peel added during the brewing process, and it is a really smart balance. Doesn't interfere; rather it compliments the Belgian goodness like an old chum. It's something different but worth trying. Bringing me back to Belgium.  Finished. The children, and my palate, have awoken. Time to contact Owen for his next recommendation.

Ferment Nation News: Homebrewers Growing in Numbers

From the Brewers Association:

The American Homebrewers Association recently surveyed homebrew supply shops, and the results indicate that the homebrewing hobby is continuing to grow.
For Immediate Release

American Homebrewers Association Surveys Homebrew Shops

Results Indicate Growth, Increased Diversity
Boulder, CO • July 20, 2011—For the second consecutive year, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) conducted a survey of homebrew supply shops. The 2011 survey, conducted in the spring, saw a dramatic increase in respondents—67 percent increase over 2010's survey. Across the board, the results indicate that homebrewing is growing consistently, leading to a more diverse demographic of homebrewers and new shops catering to local enthusiasts.

Read the complete press release.

Pour-a-Palooza 2011

Greetings, Citizens!
The third annual Pour-Palooza festival went off without a hitch.  The organizers of this event deserve a nod of respect and a hearty thank you from all the attendees, but especially from yours truly.  The Ferment Nation got a spot again this year, and we were proud to be a part of the festivities.  We got to talk to some cool people and tried some fantastic beers as well.  Special shout-outs go to Remo, Jake, Mike, and Ryan for making it go.  It was also good to see Vicky, Kelly, Tammy, and Ian out and about.  Molly and Marci rocked the inside and Liz was on t-shirt duty.  If I left you out, please send me a nasty email.

It was also great catching up with Mike from New Jersey Craft Beer and perennial beerfest participants Sherry and Tom.  We missed Jack and Cheryl but I'm sure they're not too far away...

Anyway, I wanted to give unbelievable props to the folks from Barley Legal Brew Club.  I liked all the beers I tried by the crew but their "Animal" IPA was outstanding!  I claim that it was the best IPA at the entire festival (and with over 60 beers, that's no joke).  Someone else jumped in and said that Bear Republic Racer 5 was the best.  Arguable, but I thought that the Animal was so well-balanced that it could hold its own with any IPA you could throw at me.  I'm not sure I would make the claim that it's the best of all time, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this smooth India Pale Ale got picked up by a microbrew pub or at the very least won some competitions.  It was that good.

Some other standouts of the day were the Ithaca Dark Humor, 21st Amendment Hop Crisis, and Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster.  Of course, Weyerbacher Double Simcoe was there, and Troegs Flying Mouflon, and Flying Fish Exit 13, and... well, check out the slideshow and see a few more for yourself:

We also received a few citizen reviews, and we'll be sharing them with you very soon.  Please email us and let us know if you were there.  Maybe you took some really cool pictures that you would like to share with the world.  Whatever.  But feel free to contact us at the Ferment Nation and we'll be happy to put your opinions out there for everyone to see.  Cheers!

Greetings from Santa Rosa!  While on the Presidential honeymoon, I got to visit the Russian River brewpub.  A knowledgeable beer dude named Andy has volunteered some review services to the Nation.  Andy is not only a beer drinking gourmand, but also a practiced homebrewer.  Let's see what Andy has to say about Jack D'or:


jack d'or
batch 26 (bottled may 2011)

belgian sniffer.

Appearance: Clear golden, light haze. Excellent thick white head. (The photo is deceiving as it was taken at the end of the bottle, so sediment hazed it up)

Smell: Yeast giving way to citrus and pepper.

Taste: Starts with a crisp hop bitterness with some peppery spiciness,  on to fruit from the hops playing with the belgian yeast esters. Finishes citrusy with more hop bite. A times a touch of grain comes through in the finish, but rarely. The whole sip gains complexity as the beer warms up.

Mouth: A perfect amount of medium carbonation to play with the hop bitterness.

Overall: Incredibly drinkable, dry, refreshing. I was expecting more belgian flavors to come out, which left me a bit disappointed. However, this is still a great beer! Truly, an "american saison."

***

Andy

The WIP Midday Show Beer Brawl

The WIP Midday Show Beer Brawl

Here's a Beer-Off that merits discussion.  Regional brews go head-to-head and receive scores and brief reviews.  I think we at the Nation know a few things about this... Check out the sports dudes' reviews and let us (and them) know how you feel.  Drop us a line, why don't you?

My Trip to Bear Republic

Greetings, Citizens!

After the First Lady and I made it official by tying the presidential knot, we got to embark on a fun-filled journey across the nation to the far-off land of California.  The air is a bit denser here on the east coast, so I appreciated some time up in the hills of Napa and Sonoma where I got to check out some gorgeous scenery, breathe some fresh air, and sample some mighty fine wine.  I was also lucky enough to make it up to Santa Rosa (foreshadowing a future post...) and Healdsburg.  Ah, the meat of the matter.

Healdsburg, CA is home to the Bear Republic Brewing Company http://www.bearrepublic.com/home.php.
Some of Bear Republic's drinker-friendly brews have made it over to our neck of the woods, and I am quite fond of the ones I've tried.  Racer 5 IPA is one of the more highly regarded of its kind, for good reasons.  It has a nifty balance of malt and hops in a medium-bodied brew that really excites the palate.  I've had it many times here on the east coast, but when in Healdsburg... I figured I had to try it right at the source.  My memory could be pulling tricks on me, but I thought Racer 5 was just a bit darker and more malty when I've tasted it before.  It seemed this time to be a little crisper and brighter, with a bit more grapefruity, hoppy bite coming through.  Perhaps the flavors change just a tad when the beers travel across the land and age just a wee bit.  Maybe I'm just crazy.

Actually, maybe I'm not crazy.  After all, I have tasted the darker, maltier brews like Red Rocket and Hop Rod Rye that have graced the taps around here and I know Racer 5 is a little lighter than those, but still...

Okay, change of topic: While I was at the Bear Republic Brewpub I had the good fortune of trying a Big Bear Black Stout.  It's everything it sounds like.  Rich and hearty, Big Bear is full of stout flavor.  Sadly, it was the last beer I got to try that evening, since last call had been given and my gullet was full  to the point of bursting with Bear Republic's groovy food.  The chili, ribs, wings, coleslaw, salad, garlic fries, and some other stuff I can't remember must have felt overcrowded, judging by the way they were struggling for their own space.  And finally, Big Bear laid the smack down.  And I threw in the towel.

I did get to try a bunch of Bear Republic's specialty brews by way of their 8-man flight (paddle plus two).  I know I'm irresponsible for not writing all of it down, but I don't feel too badly because there was one brew that deserves mention above all the rest.  The Cafe Racer 15 was an outstanding beer.  Pretty certain it was a suped-up variety of Racer 5.  The alcohol was only slightly more (Racer 15 being 8.5% vs. Racer 5 at 7%) but the body and the general presence were definitely more intense than the other brews on the flight.  I would have most certainly gone back for a full pour of Cafe Racer 15 if I had the time and the capacity.  It's a special beverage.

I really enjoyed the food, the atmosphere, and especially the beers at Bear Republic.  It's definitely worth a look-see if you're  in the neighborhood.  Just a heads-up, though:  If you're from out of town you may have trouble finding it right away because it's set back from the road aways in a walking plaza.  And Bear Republic is a restaurant/brewpub, not a bar.  So check the hours before you make your plans.  It's definitely a great way to end an early night or to begin a late night.  Cheers!