Author: Chris

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Our Local Beer Scene: Toast Carmel Valley

With sunny and warm weather returning to Carmel Valley, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce the latest entry to the Monterey Peninsula beer scene — Toast Carmel Valley. In the heart of Carmel Valley village, Toast is a locally-owned, neighborhood bistro that opened in September 2010.

Merideth and I love where we live in Carmel Valley. Unfortunately, our beer options are very limited. Either we could  go into town, a half hour drive, or hang out at our only local option, the redneck bar with a pretty standard selection of beer. More often than not, we ended having a beer a home.

Our local beer hang out

So, it goes without saying that Merideth and I were really excited to learn about the coming of Toast. While not really a beer bar or pub, Toast, with its casual atmosphere and friendly staff, is a great place to drink a beer and relax with friends. With it’s welcoming atmosphere and dog-friendly outside seating, Toast will be OUR place to hang out in Carmel Valley Village during the Summer season.

The taps at Toast Carmel Valley

I don’t need a gazillion beer selections at my local. Toast has six taps with our staple brews being Green Flash West Coast IPA, Allagash White and North Coast Scrimshaw. Offerings from Lost Abbey and Port Brewing also are regularly featured in the draft beer line up. As for bottles, there are 15-20 to chose from including all-time favorites Rodenbach and Allagash Black.

My usual dinner entree... Fettucine with Local Foraged Mushrooms, Humbodlt fog and Truffles

To be honest, I wasn’t really concerned about the food they planned to serve. It was all about the beer for me. However, the food has been the pleasant surprise. All the dishes are simple, reasonably priced and delicious. A few things on the menu that Merideth and I regularly order:

  • Marinated Olives, Hummus, Roasted Garlic with House Flatbread
  • Monterey Calamari with Green Grapes
  • Mussels Steamed in Reisling Butter with Frites
  • Fettucine with Local Foraged Mushrooms, Humboldt Fog and Truffles
  • Roasted Chicken with Mascarpone Enriched Orzo

And the desserts are excellent too!

From its sunny deck, Merideth and I will be spending many an afternoon and evening enjoying a few beers and watching Carmel Valley life pass by.

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New beergeek.TV Episode – 2010 Kerstbierfestival

A Sunday afternoon at the Kerstbierfestival

“2010 Kerstbierfestival” is the latest episode of One Pint at a Time.

Due to time constraints, the last beergeek.TV episode, Euro Christmas 2010 Part II, used only a part of the footage shot at the Kerstbierfestival. This episode is an extended look at one of our favorite beer festivals.

In an era where beer festivals are becoming more and more tests of strength and fortitude, the Kerstbierfestival is a breath of fresh air. When I tell people about the festival, the first thing I say is that you can use your “inside voice” as there is no loud din drowning out conversation. Long lines to get the latest hip beer don’t exist. In fact, there are no beer lines to get some of the best, most unique or rarest beers in the world. Truly, the Kerstbierfestival is a gem in our eyes.

So enjoy our time at the Kerstbierfestival…

For all the episodes of One Pint at a Time go to beergeekTV.

 

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Sierra Nevada Night at burger.

Merideth and I ended our 28-day beer hiatus Wednesday evening at a Sierra Nevada “Tap Takeover” event at burger. in Santa Cruz. A very large and cheerful crowd, including Spike from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, enjoyed probably the widest and best selection of Sierra Nevada brews on tap in Santa Cruz County history.

Back on the beer after a 28 day break

Fifteen Sierra Nevada brews were on tap, ranging from the standards like Pale Ale, Kellerweis and Stout to the special, such as three of the 30th Anniversary series, 2009 Bigfoot and Hoptimum. There were even a few unique brews: Empire Strikes Black Russian Imperial Stout, an early Beer Camp brew,  2×4, a blend of two Belgian-style ales and a Pro-Am Old Ale. All in all there was a pretty special selection of Sierra Nevada beers.

Going in, I knew my first beer after a 28 day hiatus was going to be my beloved Torpedo. Unfortunately, that one Torpedo made me pretty loopy. Not wanting to be under the table, I passed on the higher ABV special brews and moved on to a nice, mellow Kellerweis. Merideth, after beginning with a Kellerweis, tried the 2×4, a beer she much enjoyed.

Each of the Sierra Nevada beers had a food pairing. Having gotten through the beer hiatus by indulging my sweet tooth, the dessert items caught my eye. Bigfoot 2009 paired with  a brownie topped with Stout whipped cream and the Empire Strikes Black accompanying a selection of chocolates.

It was a very mellow evening by our standards, but it was great getting out, being sociable and seeing friends. Congrats to Quinn from Sierra Nevada and burger. for putting on a fun event.

View all the pictures from our evening at burger.

 

 

Our California Common is being re-released

In other Sierra Nevada related news, we are so proud our Beer Camp brew was one of the four beers selected for Sierra Nevada’s upcoming “The Best of Beer Camp” mixed pack. We look forward to drinking our hopped-up California Common again. Look for “The Best of Beer Camp” 12-packs in mid-May.

If you missed our Beer Camp blog posts:
Our Kind of Camping
 Brew Day at Beer Camp

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New beergeek.TV Episode – Euro Christmas 2010 Part II

Pouring Kriek at Brasserie Cantillon

“Euro Christmas 2010 Part II” is the latest episode of One Pint at a Time.

Our whirlwind European tour covered six cities in six countries over two weeks. The non-stop itinerary included two favorites: London and Dublin, two new cities: Hamburg and Copenhagen, and two that we wanted to explore further: Amsterdam and Brussels.

In this last installment, we explore the beer scenes of Amsterdam and Brussels as well as attending one of our favorite beer events, the Kerstbierfestival. And we deal with the joys of having our flight home canceled.

So enjoy our latest beer adventures in Europe…

For all the episodes of One Pint at a Time go to beergeekTV.

Things To Do on raveable

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New beergeek.TV Episode – Euro Christmas 2010 Part I

Mikkeller Bar in Copenhagen

“Euro Christmas 2010 Part I” is the latest episode of One Pint at a Time.

Our whirlwind European tour covered six cities in six countries over two weeks. The non-stop itinerary included two favorites, London and Dublin; two new cities, Hamburg and Copenhagen, as well as two that we wanted to explore further, Amsterdam and Brussels.

In this first of two parts, we explore the beer scenes of  Dublin, Hamburg and Copenhagen.

So enjoy our latest beer adventures in Europe…

For all the episodes of One Pint at a Time go to beergeekTV.