San Diego Reader

Chili Peppers' Getaway doesn't get too far

This may be the first time I've ever seen a review of the Red Hot Chili Peppers that does not mention Flea.
— July 12, 2016 11:14 a.m.

MillerCoors, Blue Moon, what's the difference?

Blue Moon has been around since the mid-90s. Back then, it was sort of cool because it would show in places with only BMC accounts, and you'd actually have a halfway decent alternative. Today, it is an unnecessary option as you see craftier selections (e.g. Sculpin) just about anywhere. I think it is rather naive to think it is going anywhere, though. It's a gateway beer, and craft beer drinkers / beer geeks aren't buying it anyway.
— October 28, 2015 12:04 p.m.

Punjabi Tandoor neither surprises nor disappoints

Punjabi Tandoor has been around for at least 10 years, idiot.
— July 19, 2015 10:36 a.m.

Gateway to the sour zone

I heard that their original brewer has already moved on (probably after you visited, but maybe not).
— May 26, 2015 12:41 a.m.

Beers running hot and cold

I will respectfully disagree with you on the barley wine. I've seen little evidence that's ever been that big. Sure, a lot of people have made them (probably a labor of love) and we'll probably see less tap space devoted to them, but I don't think that means they are going out as much as they are going to be a less often seen curiosity. It's a pretty difficult egg to get people excited when they already have access to Firestone-Walker's excellent line of barley wines, and with Old Numbskull ruling the local roost. Plus, when on tasting room runs, who really wants to load up on high ABV stuff even with a driver?
— March 17, 2015 10:47 a.m.

All that…and less

I'm not sure why, but those LemonDrop hops hit me in funny ways. My first impulse is to vomit, because I've just drank Pledge. But after I get used to it (or maybe after they warm up a bit?), I start to like them somewhat.
— January 17, 2015 9:48 a.m.

Top 12 San Diego breweries

No real qualms about that list (I think 10/12 are no brainer picks), though I'm not sure Amplified has put out enough beer to warrant being on a short list. I've really enjoyed what I have gotten from them, and it is undoubtedly one the best places to have a beer, but at least half the time I've been there they've had none of their house beers on tap. I do realize, however, that your past formula for these lists is to throw in a non-conventional choice or two, which is why this is probably a top 12. Not a lot of people would have Benchmark on this list, either, but I think they deserve it. But throwing in an objective edit of your top 12, I'd probably replace Amplified with Stone. :) I think that Modern Times and Belching Beaver probably are on the cusp of deserving inclusion on this list, but in the case of the former I suspect that their cockstaggering overpromotion might rub you the wrong way, a little bit.
— October 30, 2014 12:48 p.m.

Beer Touring: Council Brewing Company

Have their Trippel? It's good. Everybody is all over this place. Too close to Societe and O'Brien's. Wondering how soon people will be all over them to scale up? :)
— May 22, 2014 10 p.m.

The Bailey, Julian Brewing Co. for sale

What a waste. It probably ended up putting the Nickels into a better situation, though.
— April 21, 2014 9:47 a.m.

Toronado blowing down wall

You didn't; it was in Eater San Diego: http://sandiego.eater.com/archives/2013/09/23/a... Nice to have fans, isn't it? But they are wrong - you did have an update, in that they are now shooting to open in the summer. Much slower than the original plan, but this seems more solid because they actually have construction company doing work in there now.
— April 12, 2014 8:55 a.m.