Well, I'm back to tell you how the week finished up. When I last left off, I said I took Wednesday off, but after I thought a little harder about it, that just isn't true. I met my buddy Steve at The Brewhouse for dinner. We hadn't seen each other in a while, and The Brewhouse is the perfect place (for us, at least) to catch up. I had an Elephant Seal Double IPA, which has become my go to of late. It is very citrusy, and I think it is an excellent example of a very drinkable double IPA. Yes, it's strong (7.7%), but not overpowering. Just full of flavor. An excellent start to the evening. For dinner, I had Caribbean Jerk Chicken, which is a favorite of mine there, but really, everything on the menu is good. It just depends on what you are in the mood for. I slowed things down with an El Citra Session IPA (4.6%). This beer is also full of citrusy goodness. Apparently, I was in a citrusy mood that day. Dinner was good, the beers were good, the evening was excellent. It was very nice to catch up with my friend.
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| Taps at The Brewhouse |
Thursday was the night I took a beer break. Now I remember. Got it. Moving on to Friday. Friday, I went down to Carpinteria, CA to play volleyball with some friends. And any trip to Carpinteria must include a stop at Island Brewing Company. I used to live in Carpinteria, and I've been coming to this place for years, and so has everyone else in town. It is always crowded. Recently, they started getting food trucks to park there for the evening, so that has only helped get and keep people there. Usually, I go for the Paradise Pale Ale, but lately they have been having many more seasonal brews to try. A new one that I really like is the King Tide. This is a very hop forward double IPA that comes in a 9.6%. It packs a punch, and costs a little more than the regular beers on tap, but I think it is a nice beer on a typically perfect, sunny Carpinteria day. I like coming here, not only for the good beer, but also because I know I will run into a bunch of people that I enjoy talking to and sharing a couple beers with. It's almost like Cheers. Everyone definitely knows your name.
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| Taps at Island Brewing Co. |
I finished off my week by stopping at the recently opened "Cottage" in Los Olivos, CA. This is Figueroa Mountains' newest establishment, and it is perfectly positioned right in the heart of it all in downtown Los Olivos. This was actually my first stop ever in Los Olivos. I don't usually travel on the 154 highway. Normally I stick to the 101 for my trips up north, but I went out of my way to stop this time. I really wanted to see the place, and I'm glad I did. There was live music playing, and the gentleman playing guitar and singing was very good. I took up a spot just outside the back door, and enjoyed the deck on the warm afternoon. From here, I could hear the music, and catch the end of the Angels game on TV. I also got to enjoy a Shark Lips beer, a collaborative effort between Figueroa Mountain and Port Brewing. This Imperial Red Ale had a very definite malty backbone, which was a nice change from all the extremely hoppy stuff I had been into all week. For some reason, I didn't take a picture when I was there. So, just imagine a small place, with a bar and TV's on the left, a guy playing guitar and singing in the front right corner, and me straight through on the back deck. It was another great beer from Fig Mountain in a very nice setting. I really enjoyed seeing their new place. I will definitely be back soon. Cheers!
The Brewhouse
229 W. Montecito St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-884-4664
Hours: 11am to 10pm Daily. Open at 10am on the weekends for brunch
Island Brewing Company
5049 6th Street
Carpinteria, CA 93013
805-745-8272
Hours: Monday-Friday 2pm to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 9pm
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company
2446 Alamo Pintado, Suite C
Los Olivos, CA 93441
805-694-2252
Hours: 11am to 9pm Daily
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