Your Next Pint

A Toast to Supplication by Russian River

Supplication is unique in that it doesn't taste of beer in the traditional sense. Brewed in used Pinot Noir wine barrels, the Grapes and sour Cherries play a big part in developing its overall flavor. Add a boost of heavy carbonation, and this beer is a great substituion for a small bottle of bubbly – I'll say cheers to that!

The Washdown:

- grape nose that pours with a small head and tastes sweet 'n sour (Russian River Brewing Co. in Santa Rosa, CA) 7% ABV

At $12-14 per 12 oz bottle, just like champagne, this beer's not a daily brew, but rather something to be celebrated for special occassions.

Hollingshead's Beer Deli in Orange

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It's not new, fancy, trendy, or convenient, but rather part deli and part pint market. Hollingshead's, an unassuming strip mall joint in Orange, showcases 21 rotating taps of unique pints (even better than those found at the best gastropubs) and over 500 bottled beers that can be taken home or opened right on the spot.

The vibe is beer slugging sports fannatac meets sincere employees who just want to warm your beer drinker's heart – a.k.a. the stomach. And the motto is to make sure that each customer enjoys their deli meats, cheeses, and sandwiches washed down with none other than a Hollingshead's pint.

But the real success comes from the family's three generations of men like Ken (who founded the deli in 1963), Kenny, and the youngest, Michael Kenneth. All beer experts in their own right, it's easy to find yourself receiving recommendations from them, even at the same time.

Don't plan on going this weekend though, as they're only open weekdays (M-Th 10am-8pm, F 10am-9pm), "because we like our weekends to be free", says Michael Kenneth.

Cheers!

368 S. Main St., Orange, CA 92868. 714-978-9467

Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu is the Cristal of Beers

Photo courtesy of dogfish.com

With New Years still on the mind, I thought I'd treat you to Your Next FAVORITE Pint, Chateau Jiahu from Dogfish Head Brewery. It really embodies the flavors of champagne, like a dry sparkling riesling with exotic ingredients that are backed up by a yeasty brew.

Just like poppin' bottles of Cristal, this beer goes down best with a group of friends. I was lucky enough to try it for the first time over the holidays at my favorite neighborhood SideDoor Pub in OC. I enjoyed it so much, I couldn't be bothered with snapping pics, so apologies for none of the pour.

After returning back to reality from my holiday vacation and cleaning out the DVR, lo and behold, I found a Dogfish Head Brew Masters episode of said beer. Naturally, I felt compelled to continue spreading the good word, so here you go!

The Washdown:

- sake-to-me, muscat grapes 'n honey, champagne meets beer Chateau Jiahu (Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, Delaware) 10% ABV

Chateau Jiahu's recipe stems from an ancient northern Chinese recipe over 9,000 years ago. It's about time it resurfaced because this one's going down in history as one of my favorite specialty beers EVER. It's limited in availability, so consider yourself lucky when you stumble across it.

The nose is Green Grape. The taste is Sake, Melon, and Wildflower Honey. Mystery ingredients include Chrysanthemum Flowers and Hyacinth – who knew they could be so tasty! And the Rice & Barley Malts delicately balance out the sweetness, making it one refreshing concoction.

Follow @dogfishbeer for their next shipment of this immaculate creation.

P.S. I was more than delighted to see Whole Foods Market carrying it the other day. Go get 'em Chinese Tiger!