Beersfest 2015 Recap - Dusty Edition

While Stubbs has well summed up our participation in BEERS Fest, I wanted to add a few of my own thoughts given how rare it is that I actually have thoughts.

I took public transportation in the form of Metro Rail to get to downtown LA where the event was being held. Running slightly early and assuming Stubbs was, well, on Stubbs Standard Time, I thought what the hell, I'll wander around Olvera Street for a few and see if I can snag a bootleg Dodgers t-shirt or something. This is when I got my first taste of how hot it was on Saturday. Just the walk across the street from Union Station caused me to break into a profuse sweat. So I headed straight into my favorite little restaurant that has a tiny bar area and cold Mexican beer. Two Pacificos later, it was time to go drink more beer.

After Ubering over to the event site, I hooked up with Stubbs. Then we joined up and began sampling the wares that were laid before us. I used the Untappd app on my phone to keep up with the beers I sampled, though I didn't end up capturing them all:

Fireman's Brew Redhead Ale
Fireman's Brew Brunette
Mission Amber Ale
Mission Hefeweizen
Absolution The Convert
Solarc Dunes
Figueroa Mountain Lizard's Mouth
Escape Milk Stout

Couple of standout moments:
+ Talking with the guys at Fireman's about their beers and about the Dodgers. They are all fans and it gave a great sense of community and local pride.

+ Talking with two Dodger fans who were in from Seattle for the weekend to take in some games. They'd never been to Chavez Ravine before so Stubbs and I gave them some tips. Was neat to see how our Dodgers draw folks from all over and to discuss the team over craft beer albeit on blazing hot asphalt.

+ Those tacos. But damn if I can recall what that food truck was called and I can't find it on the website.

All in all a good afternoon. There was not much of a crowd likely due to the heat, but that was fine with us even our general lack of social skills around other people.

Off to get some beers in for lunch now that I've worked up a thirst writing this post! [Editor's Note: Dusty is on vacation and is not actually having lunch beers during the workday.]

Beersfest 2015 Recap - Stubbs Edition

It's been awhile, boys and girls! All it took was an intersection of two of my favorite things, beer and free beer, to bring me crawling back here.

First off, tons of thanks to Jon Moore for reaching out to us on the invitation.  We hope that we were just the kind of sardonic derelicts you had in mind when you first thought of SoSG!

I caught up with our very own Dusty Baker around 2pm, who had bravely pre-loaded a few beers beforehand. Our first assessment: it was hot. The radiating pavement pushed all of us fun-seekers to any available shade, and we wore a path back and forth between the event booths and the nearest tree or large shrub.

Hiding from the sun like small desert animals

The folks there representing their products were universally cool. Let me be the first to admit I may be ever so slightly biased.

Fireman's Brew, Mission Brewing, Absolution, Solarc, Figueroa Mountain, and Escape Craft Brewery all had representation. A decent showing, and with the furthest coming just up from San Diego, it does say some nice things about the state local brewing.

As for the beers themselves, some I had encountered before, some I had not. I do not fancy myself a connoisseur by any stretch, but here are those that stood out to me (relative buzz level indicated. Adjust your personal expectations accordingly)

Fireman's Brew Brunette - (Buzz - Sober)

I had tried their amber before at the stadium, which was quite decent. The Brunette, a doppelbock, was better. A little smoother than an average bock, and a nice start to a hot day of drinking.

Mission El Conquistador - (Buzz - Noticably Pleasant)

A nice, crisp session IPA. Plenty of hops, as is to be expected.

Solarc Dunes - (Buzz - Everything is Funny)

The sneaky favorite of the day for me. Belgian style, but more spicy than expected. Different, maybe just to be different, but I'll allow it.

Figueroa Mountain Lizard's Mouth - (Buzz - Egregious Misspelling)

Really floral IPA. Sharp enough to cut through the beer haze at this point in the afternoon. I look forward to revisiting a pint with all my faculties at my disposal.

A good experience all around. I'll be interested to hear if Dusty remembers streaking when he tells his side of things!

BEERS Fest Thread: Aug. 15 vs. Sobriety, 1p

They had us at Cornhole. Come join SoSG Stubbs and Dusty if you you get the chance!