THE GREAT BEER ADVENTURE WAS SOMETHING WE DREAMED OF DOING EVEN BEFORE WE OFFICIALLY BECAME THE BEER GUYS. ORIGINALLY THE DREAM WAS TO TAKE A FULL YEAR OFF OF WORK AND TOUR THE UNITED STATES IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT AMERICAN BEER. BECAUSE OF SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WITH CAREERS AND FAMILIES WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AGREE ON WHAT YEAR TO START WITH.
SO UNTIL THEN, WE HAVE HAD TO TAKE ABBREVIATED TRIPS . WE KNOW PROUDLY SHARE OUR EXPERIENCES WITH YOU, CHEERS.
New Orleans / Abita Springs Louisiana, July 2004
The Beer Guys (2 of us anyway) made it to the Big Easy (also appropriately known as “the city that care forgot”). The Big Kahuna has covered the indulgences of food and partying already, so it is my job to cover the beer aspect of our visit.
The first stop on our New Orleans beer tour was the local microbrewery, “Crescent City Brew house”. The selection of on-site brewed beers offered here is quite impressive. Most people will not like all of the styles available here, but most will find a couple of different beers that they will love. We had to try the sampler of course.
Look for our official review numbers of these brews to follow shortly!
The beer guys had to pay homage to the “ JAX Brewery shrine” inside the original building that is now home to the local mall.
The highlight of the trip for us was of course our visit to the legendary Abita Brewery in Abita Springs. The Assistant Head Brewer, Mark Walters, gave us the grand tour of the Brewery. We were also fortunate enough to sample some of the beers right on site. For the record, I am partial to Abita Amber and Kahuna leans towards Abita Turbo Dog. I also sampled the famous Abita Purple Haze (a raspberry ale), which I am glad to report was delicious. Believe me, we do not usually care for “fruit” beers but the raspberry flavor in this one is perfectly subtle and overall this beer is really refreshing.
We were shown some of the machinery used to brew these wonderful ales and even got to sneak a peek at some of the wort cooking.
This tour just helped to re-enforce what we already knew. Abita makes some of the best damn beer in America... period!
A very special thanks goes out to Mark, Kathy and those we met whose names we have unfortunately forgotten at Abita for their gracious hospitality.
RECENTLY A
COUPLE OF THE BEERGUYS WHILE ON VACATION, DECIDED TO DROP BY THE CITY OF ABITA
SPRINGS LOUISIANA TO VISIT THEIR FAVORITE BREWERY, ABITA BREWING CO.
ABITA SPRINGS IS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES NORTH OF NEW ORLEANS ACROSS LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN AND JUST NORTH OF THE 10 FWY.
LITTLE DID WE
KNOW THAT THE TOWN OF ABITA SPRINGS ALSO HOUSES ONE OF THE BEST
BREW PUB AND RESTAURANT
AROUND.
NOW THE BREW PUB IS NOT OFFICIALLY RUN BY THE BREWERY, BUT IT DOES SITE ON THE
SITE OF THE ORIGINAL BREW HOUSE AND DOES CARRY A FULL LINE OF ABITA BREWING
MERCHANDISE IN THEIR GIFT SHOP. WHAT I WAS MOST PLEASED TO SEE WAS THE USE OF
ABITA BEER IN MANY OF THE RECIPES ON THE MENU. MY BIGGEST STAN OUT WAS THE
ANDYGATOR CRAWFISH CAKE APPETIZER
THAT WAS SERVED WITH FRESH FRIED TOMATOES AND TOPPED WITH THEIR TURBODOG
REMOULADE. MANY OTHER DISHES ALSO REFLECTED THE ABITA BEER STYLES SUCH AS THE
HAZED BABY BACK RIBS THAT WERE MARINATED IN ABITA'S PURPLE HAZE AND THEN GRILLED
TO PERFECTION. THE FOOD WAS SO FRESH AND GENEROUS THAT I ALMOST DID NOT HAVE
ROOM FOR DESERT... I SAID ALMOST.
THERE WAS A WONDERFUL BREAD PUDDING SERVED WITH WARM WHISKEY SAUCE, A CHEESECAKE
BRULE AND A KEY LIME CHEESECAKE. THE WAIT STAFF WERE SO NICE WITH THEIR TRUE
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY, SO IF YOU ARE IN THE TOWN OF ABITA SPRINGS BE SURE TO DROP
BY AND TAKE A LOAD OFF AND ENJOY A GREAT MEAL WITH A NICE TALL ABITA BREW.
Big Bear California
Kahuna and A.J. decided to take this as a weekend trip. Big Bear is known for it's great skiing during the winter, however, most people are un-aware of the spectacular summer time activities it offers such as mountain biking, camping, fishing and night life.
Kahuna
and A.J. decided to get in some of the renowned mountain biking before hitting
the pub scene.
Of
the following page
of bars Kahuna and A.J's favorite choice for nightlife was CHAD'S
PLACE. Terrific bar with great atmosphere. They have many pool tables,dart
boards,foozeball tables, big dance floor with a kick ass live band, and
the best choices in beer and food on the mountain. Our recommendation for best
house brew - Newcastle on tap, cheers. There is also a hidden treasure
within a resort called Northwood's Lodge. It is known as Stillwell's
Restaurant and Lounge. We have affectionately renamed this bar as
Annabelle's completely as a result of the outstanding service we received by an
exceptional mixologist of the same name.
As far as grub goes, we have to recommend the Log Cabin Restaurant. In addition to great American chow, they offer outstanding German food. And of course when you are having German food, what better to drink than great German beer. We suggest the Franziskaner hefe-weisse when visiting this fine establishment.
Enjoy Big Bear!!!!!
Further Adventures with The Beer Guys
This leg of the Great Beer Adventure took A.J and Kahuna to the mountains of Northern California over to western Nevada and thru some of the majestic scenery that is our National parks.
The Adventure begins in the Northern California city of Bridgeport for some camping and fishing with fireside brews (Sam Adams Octoberfest and Rolling Rock). After a couple of days of the outdoors the guys moved on to Reno Nevada for some Beer tasting Nevada style.
The guys found a local micro-brew pub and restaurant in the Eldorado Hotel and Casino along the famed strip in Reno. A.J. and Kahuna tested the sampler beer tray that had a selection of THE BREW BROTHERS finest. The Brew Brothers offer beer and food in a relaxed atmosphere with an emphasis on beer. Master Brewmaster Darren Whitcher offered a varied selection of many styles including his Big Dog Ale, Double Down Stout, Extra Pale Honey Ale and his own concoction Brewmaster Brown Ale. Unfortunately the Brewmaster has been unable to reproduce the recipe for the Brown Ale because he brewed it with a mystery (unlabeled) bag of malt. Too bad because this was his best beer and it scored the highest of all the beers tested “check the reviews section starting with # 117 for a more thorough review”.
After extensive research the guys checked out a little hidden treasure of Reno’s nightlife. The Men’s Club of Reno located at 270-lake street behind the Harrah’s Casino. For anybody who fancies the company of upscale drinking and dining in the presence of beautiful women dancing and disrobing then this is the place for you. Don’t get me wrong this is not your run of the mill strip club, this is high-class entertainment, worthy of a look when in Reno. From the various beers they had to offer Kahuna went with the Bass Ale while A.J partook in the Newcastle.
After leaving the lights and glitz of Reno’s Casinos the guys headed the truck to conquer the mountains of Lake Tahoe. While on the Southern shores of Lake Tahoe the guys stopped for some gambling and lunch at the local hangout. McP’s Irish Pub and Grill for some tasty food and Guinness.
After a couple hours of lunch and gambling and sightseeing they were off again. This time heading south down HWY 395 to Lee Vining and the Eastern entrance into Yosemite National Park. After a well-deserved rest outside Yosemite the guys turned the truck uphill once again to the Sequoia National Park and King’s Canyon National Park. If you ever get the chance to see one of America’s National Parks do so, not only are you learning about the Majesty of American History but also you will see some of the most beautiful sights America has to offer.
The Great Beer Adventure is more than just a trip from reality and everyday problems we face; it’s about the beer and the great people who serve it. The people you meet on the road and stories they share, go and do some adventuring of your own and maybe we will see you out there, cheers.
RED CARPET ADVENTURES
Adventuring can come in many forms, sometimes traveling to a far away land or just right in your own backyard. This adventure takes The Beer Guys to their favorite purveyor of fine wine and spirits, Red Carpet Liquor. Don’t let the name fool you Red Carpet caries a HUGE selection of beer at the best prices around.
This time the guys are at a beer tasting hosted by beer manager (and beer goddess) Regan Ditta featuring beers from The Stone Brewing Co. and AleSmith Breweries. In addition to the admission price of the tasting Red carpet provided great food to go with the fine beer, all around a first class tasting event.
To see the reviews of these fine ales, please check the reviews page here