I had Mott the Lesser for the first time at the spring release last year and it was great. I’m also not an imperial stout lover but that one is really special and completely earns its reputation in my opinion
I'm sure it still would've been fun, but sounds like a little bit of a nightmare. The ticketed event at the Oakland Sante Adairius location was a lot more chill since it was capped at 100 people. Plenty of room to navigate, no long lines, etc. Highlights for me were Magic Lambic and Sang Bleu but everything except the Cuvee St-Gilloise was tasting really good on tap. CSG was completely flat for whatever reason. The Zwanze beer itself I felt mixed about. Definitely unlike anything I've ever tasted before, but I would've enjoyed it more if it had been subtler. Glad to have tried it, but don't ever need to have it again haha. They also ended up allowing us to share outside bottles which I was surprised by, so got to taste some other new beers (older Cantillon vintages, Hill Farmstead, Floodland, etc.) All in all, a great time! That Mott the Lesser sounds good. Interesting barrels they used and looks like no adjuncts? I can't do the heavily adjuncted stouts anymore, too sweet and syrupy. I've been spending all my money hunting lambics and sour beers lately, but I'm really just craving some everyday drinkers. Trumer opened a taproom in Berkeley with a great selection of German styles on tap, but the only thing they bottle is their pils, and there are other pils I prefer to it. The oak-aged doppelbock and altbier were great, I really hope they start bottling some of their other selections in the future.
It's a great spot, highly recommend it! My expectations were greatly exceeded. Gonna go back this week and try some of the other beers on tap and get another pour of that oak-aged doppelbock that kind of blew my mind.
In California for a few days. Just left Monkish and it’s very good (and I’m also very biased) but to me Tree House and Fidens are a real step above as far as hazy IPAs go. McIlhenney (alpine post green flash) and El Segundo are my California champs at the moment. Still haven’t had sante adairius tho
Sante’s IPAs are solid but probably won’t wow you. Many of their barrel-aged saisons and strong ales are excellent however. Some good lagers too. Would also recommend Cellarmaker and Wondrous if you’ll be in NorCal at all
Wordd yea I’ve heard sante is like the west coast HF/Suarez, so they’re extremely high on my need to get to list. Won’t be in NorCal this week but hopefully will be sometime this year so will def try to hit both when I’m out there!
glad it’s held up haha. I’m due to get another bottle of that and Janemmie, the version with Brettanomyces
Tilquin Fruit Extravaganza was last Saturday and luckily for me there was a venue in Santa Cruz. Got to try several fruited Tilquin lambics on tap - Clementine, Pomegranate, white peach, vine peach, and apricot. The vine peach was the highlight!
Picked up a bottle of 2023 Janemmie. Wasn’t even aware they brewed it last year. Will follow up with how it is.
Little trip down to Santa Barbara. Stopped at Firestone Walker Barrelworks in Buellton (it’s basically the only thing there lol) on the way. image isn’t embedding but hopefully it works if you click!
Jealous. I went to the Pasa Robles brewery a while back but the main brewing area was under construction so we couldn’t do a tour.