With the hopes of finding a little down time before going back to Hong Kong we spent our last week in Huntington Beach with an overnight trip down to Escondido in North San Diego County. Our time consisted of visiting with family and friends, spending time at the pool and beach, and of course - visiting breweries.
Highlights from our time in California:
1. Brewery tours in North San Diego County
Since San Diego County is unofficially the mecca of craft beer these days with over 60 breweries, a quick trip down to the northern bit was a must. Marisa researched the area and found that a few breweries that we've tried were very near each other and would make for a good road trip. We were spoiled with having Susan as our designated driver and made a stop at Port Brewing Co./The Lost Abbey, Mother Earth, and Stone. We had an excellent itinerary and were able to meet up with family in the area for dinner at the Stone brewery before spending the night in Escondido and hitting up the Taylor Guitar factory the next day.
It's always nice to meet up with Marisa's friends from way back when we're in town and this year was no exception. Julie and Jason had us over for some tri-tip and grilled vegetables (very California and unrecognizable as a Southern cookout). The weather was smokin' and we had a great time catching up.
3. Taylor Guitar Factory Tour
We love tours and having been to the Martin Guitar factory in Pennsylvania, we had to put the Taylor factory on the list since it's relatively close to Huntington Beach and since I own a Taylor guitar and not a Martin. Unfortunately, our visits to HB usually coincide with major holidays like Christmas and the 4th of July when the factory is closed. This year we beat the norm and made it to El Cajon, CA in August to finally see how they do. I took tons of pictures and I will likely write a separate post for those that care about guitar factories. Here I've just included a select few pictures.
Terry, Marisa's step-dad, is an avid Cleveland Indians fan so we were excited to have the chance to catch them against the Angels in Anaheim. Going to baseball games in the summer just seems like the right thing to do. Fortunately for Terry, the Tribe came away with the 5-2 victory.
As with every other place we went this summer, of course the purpose was to connect with family. We mostly spent time with Susan and Terry, but also visited with Grandpa John, Uncle John, Aunt Nancy, Nana Margaret, and Aunt Pam.
--Justin
Highlights from our time in California:
1. Brewery tours in North San Diego County
Since San Diego County is unofficially the mecca of craft beer these days with over 60 breweries, a quick trip down to the northern bit was a must. Marisa researched the area and found that a few breweries that we've tried were very near each other and would make for a good road trip. We were spoiled with having Susan as our designated driver and made a stop at Port Brewing Co./The Lost Abbey, Mother Earth, and Stone. We had an excellent itinerary and were able to meet up with family in the area for dinner at the Stone brewery before spending the night in Escondido and hitting up the Taylor Guitar factory the next day.
First stop on the tour was Port/Lost Abbey, which we came across from a distributor in Hong Kong, oddly enough. The Lost Abbey tends to brew belgian styles like another brewery in the area that we weren't able to visit - Iron Fist.
Since Susan is a recently retired school teacher, it was time to turn the tables and take her on a field trip to learn about the world of "craft" beer. This photo was taken just seconds before her mind was literally blown.
I was impressed by the huge variety of beers that these breweries offer in this relatively small brew space - the former Stone brewery before they moved to their current location down the road. While we didn't love most of their beers, you can hand select the beers that you taste - each for the very reasonable price of $1 per tasting (no matter the gravity).
Since two other recommended breweries were closed on Tuesdays (Iron Fist and Latitude 33), we took a short drive up to Vista to the Mother Earth Brew Co. The tastings here were $2 each and I must say that these guys blew us away with fantastic versions of a variety of styles. I was also able to sample a peanut butter stout and not die - the bartender promised that they used a peanut extract which doesn't tend to cause reactions.
Quite possibly the best pale ale I've ever had - the Pin-Up Pale Ale.
I don't love the hippie name, but I respect the beer - and they have a nice homebrew store adjacent to the tasting room that offers a variety of classes. One important distinction to make....if you live on the East coast then you may have had beers from "Mother Earth Brewing" out of Kinston, NC, which is in no way related to this brewery. Apparently there's been a legal battle over the name so subtle changes to the names.
Voted America's number-one brewery by Zymurgy magazine.....Stone Brewing Co. This was the main place we had to visit since it's so famous and thus, this was the only real tour that we went on. It's a massive brewer compared to the other two places we visited and these guys have only been around since 1996.
The tour was informative and the guide was knowledgeable in answering all of our questions during the tasting afterwards. The one thing I must say for Stone is that it's not for everybody. These guys put out very strong-tasting beers that are just too much for some beer drinkers. I really enjoyed the tasting at the end and there are a few of their beers that I will definitely buy in the future, but I usually avoid picking up their 6-packs because they aren't the most sessionable ales out there.
After the tour we stayed to have dinner at their very popular restaurant. Stone apparently has their own farm and so they do a lot of farm-to-table dishes that are very nice, but also on the pricey side.
It was nice meeting up with Susan's cousin Joe, his wife Keely, and son Griffin.
2. Cookout at Ju-Ju and Jason'sIt's always nice to meet up with Marisa's friends from way back when we're in town and this year was no exception. Julie and Jason had us over for some tri-tip and grilled vegetables (very California and unrecognizable as a Southern cookout). The weather was smokin' and we had a great time catching up.
The sun goes down and the knitted sweaters come out!
3. Taylor Guitar Factory Tour
We love tours and having been to the Martin Guitar factory in Pennsylvania, we had to put the Taylor factory on the list since it's relatively close to Huntington Beach and since I own a Taylor guitar and not a Martin. Unfortunately, our visits to HB usually coincide with major holidays like Christmas and the 4th of July when the factory is closed. This year we beat the norm and made it to El Cajon, CA in August to finally see how they do. I took tons of pictures and I will likely write a separate post for those that care about guitar factories. Here I've just included a select few pictures.
Notice the variety of styles made on a daily basis here.
The neck is apparently the most time-consuming piece to make and they have a unique design that bolts to the body rather than a more traditional dove-tail joint use by other manufacturers.
The level of customization and craftmanship on the fingerboards and the inlays is impressive to say the least.
It was difficult to walk out without a new toy, but I settled for a t-shirt and coffee mug.
4. Angels vs. IndiansTerry, Marisa's step-dad, is an avid Cleveland Indians fan so we were excited to have the chance to catch them against the Angels in Anaheim. Going to baseball games in the summer just seems like the right thing to do. Fortunately for Terry, the Tribe came away with the 5-2 victory.
Another lovely evening for a baseball game.
We had the full experience with hot dogs and souvenir cups.
5. Family visitsAs with every other place we went this summer, of course the purpose was to connect with family. We mostly spent time with Susan and Terry, but also visited with Grandpa John, Uncle John, Aunt Nancy, Nana Margaret, and Aunt Pam.
--Justin
