Friday, June 15, 2012

Epic Beer Weekend...the journey begins!

Last weekend was the informal kick-off of #summerfun, my most favorite time of year, with my journey to the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest in Paso Robles, CA.  This is an event that I have eagerly been awaiting since the tickets arrived in the mail back in February!


Hollister Brewing Company's
Hip Hop Double IPA and Hippie Kicker
On Friday, the journey from Orange County to Paso Robles was made much more delightful by stopping at two breweries for the first time along the way.   Hollister Brewing Company , located in Goleta, CA is adjacent to the 101, which makes it an easy stop on the scenic trip up the coast of California.  Located in an unassuming strip mall, the restaurant and brewery is a bright and open venue.  Starting off with a full pint of their Hip Hop Double I.P.A., which won medals at both the 2008 and 2009 GABF (Great American Beer Festival) was a perfect way to start my beer journey of the day.  At 9.5 % A.B.V., the beer was surprisingly easy to drink!  I'd have to say, the Hip Hop Double I.P.A.
was definitely my favorite beer I had while visiting Hollister Brewing Co..


With so many other beers that I wanted to sample on their menu board, a tasting flight seemed like the best way to proceed and I wasn't disappointed with any of the other beers that I tried including; 5th Anniversary Ale, Hollister Hefeweizen, Lucky Man Red, Tiny Bubbles, Table 42 Red, Patterson Porter, and The Pope IPA.  
Although I would have been perfectly happy to spend the entire weekend at 
Hollister Brewing Company, we had to continue our journey.  


Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company's 
Hoppy Poppy IPA
Upon the recommendation of some friends, we decided to visit Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company, located in Buellton, CA.  When we first drove up to the industrial complex facility, we thought that their tasting room was just a standard small brewery facility.  When we opened the doors to the brewery's tasting room, though, we felt as if we had walked into somebody's swanky living room.  With tables and flat screen t.v.s in the outer lobby area to greet you, this was definitely someplace we wanted to spend some time in.  The actual tap area also includes more seating with a view of the brewery production area which is simply gorgeous.  You really feel as if you are hanging out at a (wealthy) friend's house.  My first choice at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co was their Hoppy Poppy IPA.  I'll admit, I love IPAs, but the name is what really got me to choose this beer.  I also had the Danish Red Lager and had a hard time deciding which one I preferred.  I really wish we had had more time to sample more of the beers at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company.  I know I will definitely be visiting again, though!

4 comments:

  1. Needs more pictures! :) Keep up the good work and drinking.

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    1. Haha I know, I wasn't planning on doing this until today. I really wish I had taken some of the tasting room at Figueroa, guess I better go back, soon! And thanks! : )

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  2. Outstanding first post! Sounded like it was the perfect way to kick off summer!

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    1. Thank you!!! : ) And it was, I'm going to write about the actual fest later, didn't realize I could write so much just about two breweries! : )

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