Bottle Logic Brewing

Last night, I had the opportunity to visit Anahiem's newest craft brewery, Bottle Logic Brewing.  Located in a small industrial area, it is easy to find, located off of a major street, La Palma Avenue.  There is ample parking both on the street as well as a few spots directly adjacent to the brewery and tasting room.

Upon entering Bottle Logic's tasting room, I was immediately in awe of all of their careful attention to detail.  They obviously are big fans of science and gadgets, as is shown throughout the decor of their tasting room.  A small patio in the front of the building greets visitors.  There is also ample seating at the bar as well as at small tables throughout the tasting room.  Bottle Logic's tasting room is definitely someplace I can see myself visiting on a regular basis with my friends.

They had four beers on tap, and I was able to try each of them.  I thought it was great that they had four different styles of beer, to better ensure that there is something for everyone's diverse tastes.  The first beer that I tried, She Shot First, is a 4.7% ABV Pale Wheat Ale.  This is a beer that I can picture myself drinking on warm summer days.  The second beer, Double Actuator is a Double IPA, coming in at 9% ABV.  Although the beer is 9% ABV, it hardly seemed like it when I was drinking it.


The third beer I had, Tattered Prince, is a 7% ABV French Style Saison.  As with the previous two beers I tried, I really enjoyed the flavors of the Tattered Prince.  The final beer I tried last night, the Mother Heifer is a 5% ABV Milk Stout.  Milk Stouts are not generally a style that I find myself enjoying on a regular basis, but Mother Heifer is a new exception.

Overall, I found all four of the beers to be amazingly delicious.  While tasting the delicious beers, those in attendance also had the opportunity to check out the brew house.  It's always interesting to see where beer is made.

After last night's trip to Bottle Logic, I'm already looking forward to my next opportunity to visit.  Bottle Logic Brewing's Grand Opening is this Saturday, February, 15th.  They will be open from 12 p.m. until 11 p.m..  On Sunday they will also be open, from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Monday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m..
I can't wait to see what Anaheim's newest craft brewery has in store!

Beer Blogging Friday, The Session #83 – Against the Grain

The first Friday of every month, a group of beer bloggers around the globe come together to write a post for The Sessions, also known as Beer Blogging Friday.

For the month of January, Rebecca, who writes The Bake and Brew, chose the topic, "How much is our taste or opinion of a craft beer affected by what friends and the craft beer community at large thinks? What beer do you love that no one else seems to get? Or what beer do you say “no thanks” to that everyone can’t get enough of?"  

I love this topic as it is something that seems to be a topic of discussion on a fairly regular basis.  For myself, it may not be so much a specific beer that I may not like that others favor as much as a specific style.  I feel I am still quite young in my craft beer journey, having only been introduced to craft beer in the past few years.  As with many craft beer drinkers, I found IPAs as my favorite style very quickly and still tend to favor the style.  While there are beers from styles I may not usually like, I will still try them.  

I have found there are beers that I do not like upon first sip, but when given a second chance, I have fallen in love with them.  One beer that comes to mind is Beachwood BBQ & Brewing System of a Stout.  When I first tasted this GABF bronze medal winning beer, which many of my friends were raving about, I wasn't a fan.  Of course, it happens to have upon first sip been one of my boyfriend's favorite beers.  When bottles of the beer were released, I made the trek to Long Beach to get bottles for my boyfriend, not thinking I would even drink any of them.  I decided to have another try of the beer and it is now among one of my favorites.  Not because anyone told me to try it again, nor because so many people loved it, but because I found to like the beer on my own.  

For myself, my tastes and opinions of any craft beer is not affected by my friends or what the craft beer community at large thinks.  I'm thankful that I have access to such a wide variety of beers and styles of beers on a regular basis.  It is definitely an exciting time in the craft beer community and industry.

New Year Kickoff

My view at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens

The first day of a new year has promise and hope, like an unopened bottle of beer. 

Yesterday, I ventured down to one of my favorite craft beer destinations, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens.  Whenever I go to Stone, I feel as if I'm very far away even though it's less than 100 miles from home.  The gardens are filled with out of the way areas to sit, relax, and enjoy the ambience complete with water falls. 

Cheers to the first beers of 2014!

My boyfriend and I ordered our favorite appetizer, beer pretzels, which never let us down. 

I had a 2006 Double Bastard Ale while my boyfriend had the Tiger Cub Saison, both made by Stone Brewing.  We had a delicious lunch, I had a side order of beer mac n cheese, with both broccoli and sausage.  My boyfriend had steak which was amazing!

Love the pretzels at Stone!

As our meal was winding down, we ordered one more beer, a CANlaboration from Oskar Blues and Sun King Brewing, the Deuce.  The can was unique and the beer was very tasty! 

The Deuce

An Epic Year

I've been lucky enough to attend some pretty epic events this year, drink some amazing beers, and see some of my favorite bands perform live.  Listed below are just a few of my favorite events, beers, and shows from 2013.

Favorite Events

1.  Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest
An event where it is hotter than Africa that is still amazing?  Fantastic beers from around the world, country, and state.  I'm excited that I already have secured my tickets for 2014's festival.

Tasting glasses waiting for new friends.

2.  Stone's 17th Anniversary
When an event that already has a reputation for being amazing improves itself, it's a pretty impressive feat.  Stone expanded their offerings this year, which means more people were happy with even more amazing beer.  Another event that was held on a warm summer day that I really loved.

Cheers to 17 years!

3.  Great American Beer Festival
I've been fortunate to now attend this event for two years.  Must say, although the event itself is well done, I enjoy visiting all of the nearby breweries even more!  This year, I went on a brewery tour bus with Bootlegger's Brewery, which was rad.  My favorite brewery that I visited, like last year, was New Belgium.  I may or may not have told more than one person how I won a bike from them this year.

Brewery tours are always fun.

Favorite beers

1.  Firestone Walker Brewing Company's PNC
I've had PNC on more than one occasion, and each time, I want more.

PNC at Toronado

2.  Modern Times Beer's Blazing World
A new brewery, rad tasting room, and phenomenal beers.  I'm looking forward to see what 2014 has in store for Modern Times!

Modern Times Lomaland Fermentorium

3.  Gigantic Brewing Company's IPA
I have to admit, since I am a fan of the Pixies, having a brewery named Gigantic already piqued my interest.  Their beers are among my new favorites of the year.

Gigantic Brewing Company's label artwork is fantastic!

Favorite shows
1.  The Sound City Players on Hollywood Boulevard for Jimmy Kimmel Live
Seeing the members of the Foo Fighters perform with some legendary musicians, such as Rick Springfield was amazing.  I still can't believe it.  Especially since it was free and a few days before my birthday!

David Eric Grohl and Rick Springfield

2.  Bad Religion at SOMA in San Diego
Never disappoints.

Bad Religion

3.  The Pixies at the El Rey in Hollywood
A band that I thought I would never see perform, since they broke up before I was introduced to their music.  I've been lucky to see them several times before this show, but never in such a small venue.  The El Rey is one of my favorite venues, and the Pixies did not let me down.

The Pixies!

I had such an amazing year going on so many epic adventures, I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for me!

Dana Point, New Year's Day 2013