Week of 3.23.2009 - Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine and more...

I know I have been slacking on this blog... but that's what happens when training ramps up. I have also been sticking with some favorites... Green Flash West Coast IPA, Lagunitas IPA, and Stone Ruination IPA. But last week I did get into some new stuff thanks to some sale items a Jimbo's.

I headed into Jimbo's before our wednesday night lululemon run to pick some dinner and they had a bunch of single beers on sale so I picked up a couple of those and also a 22oz of the Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine. I have never had a Barley Wine before this and because Stone is probably one of the best breweries around I decided to give it a shot and make the purchase.

I cracked the Old Guardian open on Thursday night just wanting to try. For some reason I was convinced I was not going to like. Well let's just say that I was way off. I loved and proceeded to kill the entire 22oz and with it being 11.3% ALC I was definitely feeling it! Stone doesn't disappoint... and I will never write-off another one of their beers without trying it first. Here's the review from Beer Advocate:
Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine

The other beers I tried:
Flying Dog IPA - very good. i will definitely be buying more of this. the single i picked up from Jimbo's wasn't enough!
Firehouse IPA - ok... at 5.9% for an IPA I thought it was kind of week and doesn't even come close to the other San Diego brewed IPA's.
New Begium Might Arrow Pale Ale - very good pale ale. I really like this. Meredith both Beth and I six pack for letting her borrow my race wheels. I would loan out my race wheels to anybody willing to buy me a sixer of this stuff.

Week of 1.12.2009 - Green Flash Hop Head Red Ale

ABV: 6%
IBU's: 45

After the having the West Coast IPA the week before I decided to pick up a six pack of the Green Flash Hop Head Red Ale to quench my thirst after big weekend of riding and while watching the NFL divisional playoff games.

I like a good red ale... and this was a good one. Definitely a step up from the red's that I usually drink (Killian's Irish Red, Karl Strauss Red Trolley Ale).

Week of 1.5.2009 - Green Flash West Coast IPA

ok.. this is the first post on my new blog. JW's Beer of the Week. It's no secret that I like beer and especially trying a new beer. One of my new years goals (I don't like resolutions) was to expand my horizons in food and drink. I am by no means a connoisseur of beer and wine, but I like them both... very much. So this blog is here to keep my honest.

My plan is try one new beer a week and post about it. It won't be just about beer though. If I come across a good bottle or glass of wine I'll post about it here. Just more fun on the Internet.

I have some catching up to do and this post is from my first week back in SoCal after the holidays. For a while Ryan had been telling my about Green Flash beers, which is a brewery right down here in San Diego. Some how I had never had any of their beers. After a offroad ride with Ryan I headed to Henry's before the Chargers game to grab some snacks and beer.

I was stoked to find that they carried Green Flash. I picked up a sixer of the West Coast IPA. I cracked the first one right at the kick off of the Bolts game. I really liked this beer from the first sip... and I liked it more with every one that I had. Here's the description from the Green Flash site:

"This West Coast-Style India Pale Ale is extravagantly hopped, full flavored, medium bodied and copper colored. A menagerie of hops is combined throughout the brewing process to impart specific characteristics. Hops used include Simcoe for a unique fruitiness and grapefruit zest, Columbus for strong hop pungency, Centennial for pine and citrus notes, and Cascade for floral aroma."

All I can say is get some try... be prepared for a pretty hoppy beer.