San Diego Universities are offering new Beer Certificate Programs

With the craft beer industry continuing to expand exponentially and San Diego hosting more than sixty craft breweries, two universities are going to launch professional brewing certificate programs. San Diego State University (SDSU) and University of California San Diego (USCD) are both working with industry insiders and brewing up their own programs that will educate and prepare students for the craft beer scene and its career pathways. 

Jake Nunes, a bar supervisor for Stone Brewing, said “There is not a lot of formal training available for the craft beer industry. This program exposes students to information that is not available unless they work for a beer company. It’s even good for people working for a beer company to increase their knowledge base.” SDSU's program will offer students the opportunity to learn from instructors who are professionals in the industry. Applying a hands-on learning environment with classes being held at on-site breweries as well as the SDSU campus. Students will also be able to interact and network with local industry experts.

Not only will students be able to work and learn from local industry professionals, the program also offers classes that explore the past and present history of craft brewing, beer tasting, and what the future holds. They will discover that the craft beer industry offers numerous opportunities in such areas as brewing, packaging, engineering, maintenance, information technology, supply chain logistics, management, finance, sales, and marketing.

“The local brewing industry will pair up with the school to offer the students an opportunity to have hands on experience to increase the depth of their knowledge,” adds Claudia Faulk of Aztec Brewing Company.

For more information, click SDSU Beer Program

Effective this summer, UCSD will launch their professional beer certificate program which will also focus on providing students with the essential knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to work in a professional brewing environment. The program has been developed in response to the rapid growth of the craft brewing industry in the San Diego region, and in consultation with an advisory board of leading San Diego brewers.

According to masslive.com, the industry's growth rate (in volume sold) has been 5.8 percent (2008), 7.2 percent (2009), 12 percent (2010), and 13 percent (2011).
The connection between USCD and local craft beer is strong, as Chris White, President and Co-Founder of San Diego’s White Labs, one of the leading yeast providers to breweries throughout the U.S., received his Ph.D. from UC San Diego. Also, head brewer and co-founder of Ballast Point, Yuseff Cherney is a graduate himself. Ballast Point is one of the largest and most respected craft breweries in San Diego. Both White and Cherney are on the Advisory Board for the developing program, and Cherney will teach the introductory course for the program which will start in July.
For more information, click USCD Beer Program

Good guy Zach Galifianakis. KCCO!!

CREDIT: PRWEB & West Coaster SD

Battle of the Beers! IPA Edition

"A menagerie of hops is layered throughout the brewing process: Simcoe for unique fruitiness and grapefruit zest, Columbus for strong hop pungency, Centennial for pine and citrus notes and Cascade for floral aroma. A multi-dimensional hop experience."

                                                      - Green Flash Brewery

"Deep golden to light amber color, and a nice off-white head, with good retention when properly served. Starts off with pleasantly strong hop flavors, balanced by a firm malt backdrop, then fades to a dry finish with a lingering hoppiness."

                                                      - Alesmith Brewing Company

  
          

          VS

      Green Flash Brewery               :Brewery:          Alesmith Brewing Company

       West Costa IPA                    :Beer:                             Alesmith IPA

                  IPA                                   :Style:                              IPA

                  7.3%                                 :ABV:                              7.25%

Two San Diego classics go head to head in this weeks edition of Battle of the Beers. Both beers are great examples of the San Diego inspired "west coast IPA" and are cornerstones for their respective breweries. You can never go wrong with either of these beers when visiting the fine establishments that San Diego has to offer, but now it's time for the battle!

Green Flash was founded in 2002 by Mike and Lisa Hinkley, however it wasn't until brew master Chuck Silva joined the team when their beers really started to stand out. Chuck brought his innovative style and knowledge and Green Flash began its premium style beer catalog. West Coast IPA, often considered to be the one of the original abundantly hopped IPA's, was the first beer Chuck put his cutting edge style on. 

West Coast pours smoothly and shows off its bold amber body. A creamy off-white head crowns the beer with heavy scents of citrus, floral and pine. A strong yet smooth malt presence starts off the flavor rollercoaster and ends in a pungent bitterness, a signature in West Coast style IPA's.

Aroma: 7

Appearance: 4

Flavor: 7

Palate: 4
Style Rating: 8/10

Overall: 22/30

Forged in 1995, Alesmith is lead by award winning brewer Peter Zein and specializes in hand crafted ales in a variety of styles. They have made their mark in the San Diego craft scene with their solid year round lineup which includes the chocolatey yet smooth Nautical Nut Brown, the HUGE 12% abv imperial Speedway Stout which host rich coffee and chocolate flavors, and the award winning strong Belgian Horny Devil. A diverse and tasty lineup to say the least.

For this battle, we call forth their IPA. A creamy white head sits atop the gorgeous golden body. Powerful hints of grapefruit and pine fill the nose. There is a very unnoticeable malt base that dances gracefully with the fruity hop flavors and ends in a dry bitter finish.

Aroma: 8

Appearance: 4

Flavor: 8

Palate: 4
Style Rating: 9/10

Overall: 24/30

The Winner: Alesmith IPA narrowly edges out West Coast IPA. These scores are based on my preference alone Alesmith IPA exemplifies everything I want in an IPA. Clear golden body, huge hop aroma and flavors with a slight malt base and a dry finish. Although Alesmith won this battle, both of these beers are truly worthy of your taste buds. Cheers!!

Awesome mom makes napkin art for kids. KCCO!

Stone Brewing Company - Enjoy by 05.17.2013

"You have in your hands a devastatingly fresh double IPA. While freshness is a key component of many beers - especially big, citrusy, floral IPAs - we've taken it further, a lot further, in this IPA. You see, we specifically brewed it NOT to last. We've not only gone to extensive lengths to ensure that you're getting this beer in your hands within an extraordinarily short window, we made sure that the Enjoy By date isn't randomly etched in tiny text somewhere on the label, to be overlooked by all but the most attentive of retailers and consumers. Instead, we've sent a clear message with the name of the beer itself that there is no better time than right now to enjoy this IPA."        
                                                     - Stone Brewing Company

Brewery: Stone Brewing Company
Beer: Enjoy by 05.17.2013

Style: Double IPA

ABV: 9.4%

Yes I know, I have already reviewed Stone's amazing Enjoy by double IPA and I won't be reviewing every batch that is released. But this date 05.17.2013 just happens to be our 5 year wedding anniversary. So this post is just my excuse to talk about my beautiful, intelligent and loving wife along with some notes on one of my favorite beers.

We met online through Myspace (remember that?) in an odd series of events. I was looking to meet someone different and smart, preferably female who I could just hang out with and not date. A prior experience made me shy away from dating single mothers so I felt that if said female had a kid, it would help sway me from dating her. That night I stumbled across the profile "Kristine I'm way too cool for Myspace Hall" and decided to inquire about how cool she was. 

Kristine had a daughter, November, so I felt as if I struck gold with my mission.  Initial welcoming messages turned into can't wait to read short stories. This was back before I had a desk job or a smart phone so I would rush home to see if I had a new message. Every new message contained bits and pieces about my future wife and I couldn't get enough. She grew up in a small town in Utah, became a teen mom before it was cool and still managed to graduate college with a bachelors in English literature. Her vast knowledge of music and the arts overwhelmed me but was refreshing. There were many small factors that contributed to my thinking that she was the "one" but one that applies here was when she told me that her friend called her a beer snob. 

San Francisco 2007 - Rock the Bells trip with Rage Against the Machine/ Wu Tang headlining

Kristine was a huge Heineken fan and was telling her friend about how anything named Budweiser/Miller/Coors was shit. This made my inner beer spirit happier than I knew at the time. Many, many beers later and great times shared in Las Vegas, Price & Saint George Utah, San Francisco, Rosarito Beach, Disneyland, and especially San Diego, we decided to get married. I proposed off the cliffs in La Jolla shores one October evening and five years ago this date, we were wed in Las Vegas. 

Leaving the ceremony, she thinks "what have I done?" 

If you're still with me, I appreciate your time because this outlet gives me the opportunity to share my thoughts on beer. However today I digressed. Today I can't help but reflect on how much things have progressed and changed for the best. She has seen me at my worst and stuck by me through thick and thin. A constant inspiration to be a better person while also trying to make this planet we call home better in every way. Today, we live in Eastlake with our teenage daughter and 2 year old son (aka the reasons I drink :) ) and life is good. So thank you for reading, hope you enjoy the blog and I plan on doing more out in about posts featuring some of my favorite drinking spots.

Our kids - November and Logan (look at them highwaters! LOL) 

Onto this beauty of a beer, expelling hints of peach, pine and citrus scents, which I absolutely adore. Golden body and pours great with its glowing white head. The beer takes my palate on a roller coaster of flavors starting off with a fruity and floral hoppiness followed by a surprisingly smooth yet bitter end. At a whopping 9.4%, you would think this beer would too bitter or too strong but have faith in Stone Brewing, they know their shit! If you haven't tried an Enjoy By IPA, you NEED to. Yes, they are hard to come by but if you like them on Facebook or follow them on twitter, they will alert you to the next release. Cheers! 

Aroma: 10

Appearance: 5

Flavor: 10

Palate: 4
Style Rating: 10/10

Overall: 29/30

Well Played. KCCO!!

Mad Lab Craft Brewing- Anarchy IPA

"Citrus flavors, bitter, light and refreshing"

                                           

                                    - Mad Lab Craft Brewing

Brewery: Mad Lab Craft Brewing

Beer: Anarchy IPA

Style: IPA

ABV: 7.1%

One day a co-worker, who knows my love of craft beer,  asked if I had ever heard of a brewery called Mad Lab. Up until then I hadn't, so she went on to tell me how the bottle, with its white label and molecular structure background, impressed her. During lunch at K-Pasta in Imperial Beach, I noticed a bottle that was similar to what was described and had to try it. It ended up being Rebel IPA, Mad Lab's tasty session-style IPA. The bottle was different, the beer was solid and now my intrigue peaked. 

Mad Lab is the first brewery to open up in the South bay, a place I hold dear to me since I grew up in Chula Vista. Located off of the 905, Mad Lab Craft brewing is a quaint brewery that welcomes all craft beer drinkers with care and comfort that is unmatched. Head brewer Mike McFarland and his wife Daphne host their tasting room like Cheers, where everyone knows your name, and creates such a personal and friendly environment you just don't get with bigger breweries. 

Mike continues to push the limits on his recipes while also creating new and flavorful beers. While I was there, my favorite beer on tap was their delicious oatmeal stout, Gatekeeper, and I cannot wait until that is brewed again. Being a hop head, I had to try their Anarchy IPA. The body pours out sexy and models its golden amber hue like a professional. Its creamy white head expels strong citrus, lime and pine hints. The initial taste are full of fruit and floral flavors that dances gracefully with its light spicy malt base. Anarchy is refreshing and light but still packs a hoppy bitterness enjoyed by all hop heads. A solid IPA and a must try. Mad Lab's motto "where science and art co-exist in one pint" are hard words to live by but they pull it off with Anarchy. 

Aroma: 7

Appearance: 4

Flavor: 7

Palate: 4
Style Rating: 9/10

Overall: 22/30

Well said my friend. KCCO

Alabama Home Brew - Update!!!

Last night, the Alabama Senate gave final passage to the Home Brewing Bill (HB9) that would legalize home brewing in the Yellowhammer state. The bill, by Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Huntsville, would allow those 21 and older to make up to 15 gallons of beer, wine, mead or cider every three months for personal use. However, it would not be legal in dry counties or dry cities.The Senate approved the bill with a 18-7 vote and it now goes to Gov. Robert Bentley for his signature.

"Alabama is literally the last state that makes homebrew legal, assuming the governor signs it,"said Sen. Bill Holtzclaw,R-Madison. Although the bill was approved by the Senate, the bill does not pass until it is signed by the Governor. "As with all bills, we will conduct a thorough review once the bill reaches the governor's office," Governor Press Secretary Jennifer Ardis wrote in an email. This past March, Mississippi passed their version of a bill that would legalize home brewing but it has a 90 day wait period. If the Alabama Governor signs this bill (HB9), it would take effect immediately and would give Alabama the opportunity to beat Mississippi in legalizing home brewing. It's not a race as the real winners would be the home brewers in both states and we would be a home brewing nation united!

Middle of the week, you should get away. KCCO!!

Battle of the Beers! Black IPA Edition

Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
"We're brewers whose substantial mettle and idiomatic approach to brewing allows us to consistently create works of art such as this justifiably self-righteous ale. Its bitterness hits our sweet spot. Its blackness lightens our hearts. Its liquid dichotomy pulls it all together in this sublimely sacrosanct ale. Yes, we damn well know our stuff here at Stone, and it would be irresponsible of us not to acknowledge how remarkable this heavenly creation of ours is. Thus the name we are compelled to give it --- Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale --- serves as a reminder of just how good we are, in both liquid and verbal form."

                                            - Stone Brewing Company

Wookey jack

"Wookey Jack is our first foray into the dark outer world of black IPAs. Rich dark malts and spicy rye careen into bold citrus laden hops creating a new dimension in IPA flavor. This brew has been left unfiltered and unfined to retain all of its texture and character. At 80 IBUs, Wookey Jack is gnarly on the outside yet complex and refined on the inside."

                                           - Firestone Walker Brewing Company

         VS

  Stone Brewing Company            :Brewery:         Firestone Walker Brewing

Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale          :Beer:                         Wookey Jack

             Black IPA                          :Style:                       Black IPA

                8.7%                                   :ABV:                            8.3%

Being a hop head and from San Diego, the city which has its own IPA style named after it, it took me a long time to come around to black IPA's. In fact, I didn't have my first black IPA until early last year. But now there are times when my palate craves the sweet bitterness that comes with the black IPA style. For those of you who do not know, a black IPA gets its color from the malt the brewer uses, usually black Rye. But the hoppy bitterness and aroma still find its way through the darkness and into our senses.

I have seen Stone's Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale in bottle shops and I never checked it out, read the bottle or gave it a thought to purchase. Still to this day, I have no clue why I would not trust Stone or their beer crafting ability, but I just had no experience with black ales and overlooked this beer for something more traditional of an IPA. It wasn't until a co-worker and beer enthusiast recommended me to try a black IPA by the name of Wookey Jack (More on that later) that made me finally take the dive into the wonderful world of black IPA's.

Sublimely Self-Righteous pours great and boasts a bold dark body capped off by its fizzy light brown head. The nose is full of pine and citrus hints blended with a nice touch of sweet malts. Initial flavors are full of sweet chocolate touches followed up by a smooth bitter end.

Aroma: 8

Appearance: 4

Flavor: 8

Palate: 4
Style Rating: 10/10

Overall: 24/30

Wookey Jack, my introductory black IPA, models the same pitch black body and it's creamy head is a lighter shade of brown than SSR. Hints of pine, citrus and peach fill the nose and deceive your senses into thinking it is a traditional IPA. There are rich chocolate flavors initially followed by a gentle bitterness that makes this beer very easy to drink considering the 8.3% ABV.

Aroma: 8

Appearance: 4

Flavor: 7

Palate: 5
Style Rating: 10/10

Overall: 24/30

 

The Winner: Another draw so the real winner here is your palate, again. Once you go black you never turn back. Well that doesn't really apply here but once you delve into the world of black IPA's and run your palate through the complex flavors, hoppy turns and sweet twists, you'll definitely want more. Do yourself a favor and drink either one of these.

Internet Facts. KCCO

Saint Archer - Pale Ale

"Balance toward the hoppy end of the spectrum, this straight-forward, California-style pale is eminently sessionable. Crystal and Munich Malts provide a backbone to showcase the bright, citrus, piney notes of cascade, chinook and simcoe hops"

                                                    - Saint Archer Brewery

 

Brewery: Saint Archer Brewing Company

Beer: Pale Ale

Style: Pale Ale

ABV: 5%

Saint Archer Brewing Company is unlike any other craft brewery, as it was founded by a unique blend of talented people which includes artists, musicians, professional skateboarders, surfers, and snowboarders. All coming together with passion and commitment to their mutual love of handcrafted beer. 

The ambassadors of Saint Archer read off as a who's who in the professional skateboarding and world class surfing competition circles. Astounding skaters such as Paul Rodriguez, who made history by being the first skateboarder to be named to Nike SB; Mikey Taylor, an original competitor in the street league pro tour; and Sean Malto, who recently turned pro a few years ago but has already made a name for himself with his unmatched technical precision and consistency. Professional surfers like Dusty Pane who is climbing the ranks of the association of professional surfers (ASP); Josh Kerr, who is recognized as an aerial specialist and is currently seen in the world tour; Derek Dunfee, San Diego's own big wave rider who also writes and directs film about the sport of surfing. Skate legend Todd Richards, writer and photographer Jeff Johnson and top 10 ranked professional surfer Laura Enever are just some of the talented people who have founded this brewery and are spreading the good word for Saint Archer. 

Onto their beer and this time it is their Pale Ale. Pours great, glowing with its golden body. Hints of pine and citrus come through off its white creamy head. The flavor is a great balance of malt and hops, crisp and holds a slight bitter bite for a pale ale. The beer is light and very sessionable yet also tasty, head brewers Ray Astamendi, an award winning master brewer, and Kim Lutz, former head brewer for Maui brewing company, know their stuff and this is a solid pale ale. Get some for the summer! 

Aroma: 6

Appearance: 4

Flavor: 7

Palate: 3
Style Rating: 9/10

Overall: 20/30

Meanwhile, in the world I wished I lived in. KCCO

 

Battle of the Beers!! Double IPA Edition

Alpine Pure Hoppiness
"A West Coast Double IPA
So mega-hopped it will take you to hop heaven. We’ve used hops in the boil, more hops in the giant hopback, and added to that, an incredible amount of dry-hopping for that cutting-edge “hop bite.” Once you’ve tasted this unique beer, all others pale in comparison."

                                              - Alpine Beer Company

Karl Strauss Big Barrel   
"When we kicked-off this series of intense hoppy beers, we wanted to go big. Imported New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops provide a vibrant tropical aroma that raises eyebrows and expectations. Aggressive amounts of Warrior and Ahtanum hops produce an assertive bitterness that stands out against a firm malt backbone. Balanced even at 90 IBUs, Big Barrel leaves a considerable first impression that serves as a prelude of things to come."

                                                     - Karl Strauss Brewing Company

            VS

       Alpine Beer Company              :Brewery:    Karl Strauss Brewing Company

           Pure Hoppiness                       :Beer:                             Big Barrel

             Double IPA                             :Style:                       Double IPA

                     8%                              :ABV:                              9%

Today we feature a battle from 2 hop heavy double IPA's brewed right here in San Diego. Karl Strauss's Big Barrel boasts using the tropical and fruity Nelson Sauvin hops, and while Alpine beer company's famed IPA Nelson is named after the New Zealand hop, I believe Pure Hoppiness utilizes the tasty hop as well. Which is another reason why I felt this would be a great head to head battle. 

Most of you already know my love for Alpine Beer Company as they have done my palate no wrong and the streak continues as Pure Hoppiness an excellent double IPA. Rich gold body capped off with its pearl head gives the beer an very inviting appeal. Hints of pine, grapefruit and peach fill the nose. The taste is a tropical ride full of sweet fruity flavors followed by a smooth bitterness. Definitely worth the find and the trip out to Alpine. 

Aroma: 9

Appearance: 5

Flavor: 9

Palate: 4
Style Rating: 10/10

Overall: 27/30

Karl Strauss's Big Barrel is my favorite beer from the historic San Diego brewery. It was the first beer I had tasted that used the Nelson Sauvin hops,  although at the time I wasn't aware of my eventual love for the hop. Citrus and floral scents fill the aroma with hints of peach. The malt bill gives the beer an amber body, crowned with a slight off white head, as well as strong back bone to pair with the fruity, sweet flavors that transfer into a slick bitter ending. Big Barrel is top notch and is highly recommended. 

Aroma: 8

Appearance: 4

Flavor: 8

Palate: 4
Style Rating: 9/10

Overall: 24/30

The Winner?: Pure Hoppiness takes this one. While both double IPA's are worthy of your time and money, PH takes your palate to a whole new level of stellar beer. What blew me away, and probably what makes Alpine Beer Company's tiny brewery so incredible, was how fresh the beer always is. With most IPA's, you should drink them as fresh as they come as the longer they age, the first thing that starts dissolving is the hop flavors. When I went up last Tuesday, they had JUST bottle Nelson the previous day. If you go up today, they JUST bottled Pure Hoppiness this past Monday. I guess that is the perk of having such a small brewery. So go to Alpine, get some amazingly fresh beer and follow their motto: drink Alpine of go to bed. 

DAR. KCCO!