naven's Profile
What are you drinking right now?
Agreed. New Glarus Belgian Red is one of my favorites.
Has anyone been to Ritual Tavern yet? (SD)
I ate there the second week they were open and was pleased. It's very simple food - burgers, shepherds pie, chicken, gumbo, etc. I had the Gumbo and my friend had the shepherds pie. Both were above average, but nothing I would seek out. Clearly, when we went, they were still trying to find their niche and they made a point to let us know that their menu will be changing in the weeks to come. What I do love about the Ritual is it feels like a neighborhood cafe, rather than a restaurant, and the beer options are very good. They currently have 7 taps, all of which are from local microbreweries. They also have a large selection of bottled Belgian style ales.
What are you drinking right now?
Tonight I had Lost Abbey Lost and found, Sharkbite red, Alesmith Speedway Stout, Allagash Curieux and New Glarus Dancing man wheat.
Bedtime.
What are you drinking right now?
Brooklyn Monster ale. It's almost like drinking cognac.
A great sushi place in San Diego for a large group?
For a fun birthday party, you should consider Sushi on a roll (SOAR). it's actually a rental sushi bar. We have thrown a couple birthday parties there. Good food, in super nice space. http://www.sushionaroll.signonsandiego.com/5.html
Click on the SOARbar tab
Best Beers in San Diego. . .
Best beers in San Diego - i'll give a swing at it:
Best IPA (double or "San Diego" IPA included) - Alesmith IPA & Green Flash West Coast (tie)
Best Pale Ale - Alpine Ale
Best Lager - Lightening Thunderweizen
Best Belgian-style Beer - Lost Abbey Judgment Day
Best "Gonzo" Beer (that is, a beer that's incomparable to anything else, like Oerbier or Arrogant Bastard) - Port Cuvee De Tomme
Best Barleywine - Lost Abbey the Angels Share
A couple to add:
Best dark beer - Alesmith Speedway Stout
Best Scotch ale - Alesmith Wee Heavy
Payday beers
Agreed. I have had some Homebrew that were insanely good. Im not a huge fan of Lagunitas either, but I thought Kill Ugly Radio was pretty decent.
Stone Brewery Bistro - disappointing (long)
You're brushing it off based on a few experiences?? Don't follow the masses, you may love it. In many ways, I do.
Belgian style mussels in San Diego?
Sounds good to me. It's essentially the recipe I had in my head. I think i'll be trying the same thing this week. Im thinking of using roughly the same recipe as you, but adding a little heavy cream to the broth.
Stone Brewery Bistro - disappointing (long)
The food is always average to a little above average when we go. I know they recently lost their head chef to someone else. Last time we just had appetizers and drinks and everything was excellent. Basically, I go for the beer and we love the gardens. Im a Stone fan through and through though. It's one of those places that you never know what you're going to get from day to day. It may be awesome one evening and it may be disappointing the next. My main issue is always the wait. It's absolutely pathetic on the weekends. Last time we went they said there was a 2 hour, 45 minute wait.
Right.
Belgian style mussels in San Diego?
afinkle, that post made my mouth water. Got a good recipe?
Some great recommendations. I didn't even think to try Cafe Chloe.
Belgian style mussels in San Diego?
Is there any place that does good mussels? I had some a few weeks back at Brouwers Cafe in Seattle that were insanely good. They were served in a Moule pot with Pomme Frites on the side. The Mussels were in a wittekerke cream sauce. Im looking for something similar.
Payday beers
Don't know where you are, but I recommend that you seek out La Folie from New Belgium. It's Vinegar to the 10th power.
http://www.ratebeer.com/Beer/new-belgium-la-folie/10513/
Payday beers
I love love love St. Bernardus Prior 8. La Fin Du Monde and Heneipin are always solid choices. I think McEwan's is an excellent example of a quality scotch ale. Im not a fan of Duchesse De Bourgogne, but sour beers are not my style. I thought it tasted like Vinegar. Im not familiar enough with the others to comment. Enjoy!
help SD visitor: good Mex/tacos by trolley? by car?
You are in the wrong area for good authentic Mexican food. The best place that qualifies in your area is Las Quatros Milpas.
1875 Logan Ave
(between Beardsley St & Crosby St)
San Diego, CA 92113
(619) 234-4460
Rotation Beers for your fridge
Yeah, I love the Oerbier too. Im a huge fan of De Dolle.
Rotation Beers for your fridge
Oh, and I would keep De Dolle Teve & Stille Nacht in my fridge and drink it everyday if I could afford to.
Rotation Beers for your fridge
I almost always have a six pack of Green Flash West Coast IPA. I love it and Its just a staple in my diet.
You're also almost certain to find a couple cans Wittekerke. It's light and refreshing and pretty cheap. It's a good beer to give to guests who aren't accustomed to the strong beers I usually drink.
Other's: Stone Levitation, Old Rasputin, Franziskaner, Hennepin, Rogue Dead guy
And, usually a Lindemans for my wife :)
Healthy Meals in San Diego
Does anyone know Mama's hours? It seems they are always closed when I go by.
I second Josh's recommendations. Mama Testa and the Linkery are great, and somewhat healthy. I also love the fact that you can get a healthy meal at the Linkery and wash it down with a 700 calorie Imperial Stout.
Lower Calorie beer with actual TASTE
That was an interesting little link. Anchor Steam is only 150 Calories. It's good to know that one of my all time favorites is relatively light on the waistline.
Stone Black IPA
The 11 th Anniversary is pretty good, although I don't know that it was the most imaginative move Stone has ever made. After a couple different bottles, It reminds me of a stronger, hoppier Arrogant Bastard.
Anyone ever order beer to be shipped?
I noticed that you asked this question on Beer Advocate in the trading forum. No luck? If you can't get a trade together on Beer Advocate or Ratebeer, I highly recommend Archers (on my earlier post).
San Diego - place to go
No car? Wow, good luck with that one. Public Transportation is horrible in this city.
There are actually lots of interesting things to see in Old Town, although I don't particularly like any of the restaurnats. Its primarily a tourist destination and it seems that the food is fairly bland for my tastes.
Get on the bus/trolley and head downtown. Take the ferry to Coronado and spend the day in Coronado shopping and eating. The beach at Coronado is fantastic, and the Hotel Del Coronado is an interesting way to spend an hour or two.
Guinness in San Diego??
Ould Sod in Normal Heights pours a pretty nice guinness as well.
What is the deal with Stella?
It's on tap Everywhere. Every country loves their pale lagers. Just like Heineken is on tap everywhere in it's home city of Amsterdam. EVERYWHERE.
What is the deal with Stella?
Josh, have you been to Belgium? You'd be cursed right out of town if you told them that Stella is no more Belgian than Budwesier. They do love their Stella.
Anyone ever order beer to be shipped?
I have used Archers liquors, and recommend them. http://web.mac.com/archerliquors/ArcherLiquors/Home.html
They sell New Belgium products (Including Fat Tire) and Goose Island.
They ship to most states on the east coast too.
Funny, I thought it was a mandatory federal law that Fat Tire had to be sold in every single bar and liquor store in America.
Favorite IPAs?
Josh, the name escapes me, but the liquor store next door to Med Grill in Hillcrest had the Rogue DIPA as of a couple weeks ago. Don't know how fresh it is, but I did indeed see it on the shelf.
