Sip of the Week: Gunwhale Ales’ Bourbon Barrel-Aged Double IPA

Posted on January 9, 2019April 30, 2019 by caitlin

It’s Wednesday once again, which means its time for another Sip of the Week!

I’ve been away at a conference this week for work, but still found time for a quick visit to a local brewery to feature a new sip. I first visited Gunwhale Ales in Costa Mesa, California with my family over the holiday break and was thoroughly impressed with each beer I tried. Given that my conference location was only a few miles away, I knew I needed to make another trip back to revisit the most unique beer I had tried at Gunwhale: Green Room, the Bourbon Barrel-Aged Double IPA!

A glass of beer on a table with farmhouse tools on the wall in the background. — The BBA DIPA! It’s all about acronyms on the taproom’s menu board. Deciphering the meaning of these letters will prove to be rewarding with the final pour!

Sure, many breweries feature IPAs and barrel-aged beer, but have you ever tried a barrel-aged IPA?

Until my visit to Gunwhale, I had not.

A photo of a window with barrels in the background. — A peek into the barrel room, which I’m sure is where the Green Room is perfected!

Since then, I’ve been perplexed as to why more breweries aren’t jumping on this bandwagon! The flavor profile in this beer is completely unique: sweet-smelling, oaky, hoppy, earthy, and overall very well-rounded. The bourbon definitely comes through, but by no means overpowers the Double IPA. Instead, the flavors of the barrel perfectly compliment the subtleties of this West Coast-style brew. Each sip leaves you feeling cool and refreshed yet warm and toasty all at the same time. It’s magic!

A little more about Gunwhale Ales:

I love the motto “preserve the wild” since it also relates to so many of our outdoor adventures camping and visiting national parks. It you also partake in using these parks and public lands, be sure you’re setting a good example by keeping it wild.

Gunwhale walks the line between traditional European farmhouse style ales and bold West Coast styles that California is known for. They’ve created a new market along this line that they call “coastal ales”. You can expect their beers to be hop-forward and yeast-driven, creating flavors that are robust and unique, yet balanced and nuanced. Their head brewer, Kevin Hammons, built his experience through homebrewing and several roles at The Bruery in Placentia (another local brewery specializing in barrel-aged and experimental beers).

Other Honorable Mentions

While the Bourbon Barrel-Aged Double IPA is my personal favorite, I can’t post without recognizing some of the other excellent beers I tried at Gunwhale.

Two people filling pints of beer at a bar with a menu board in the background. — Beer-tenders at work serving their customers. The menu board in the background gives you an idea of the wide variety of beers Gunwhale offers!

The Swallowtail Double IPA is a citrusy, full-bodied double IPA that is surprisingly smooth considering its high ABV (9.1%!). While it has citrus flavors, they aren’t overpowering. Instead, they are balanced by some earthy notes like pine. IPA-lovers will obsess over this one.
The Bait Ball Unfiltered IPA is one of Gunwhale’s flagship beers. It’s hop-forward nature and crisp finish leaves you wanting more. You can expect tropical, passionfruit flavors on the backbone of the Citra and Simcoe hops.
For those who prefer the Farmhouse style, Bang Straw Table Beer is an easy, drinkable, beer with a slight tang and earthy flavor. It is surprisingly nuanced for a seemingly simple brew. There’s no wonder it’s another flagship beer for Gunwhale!
For those who are loving the Brut IPA trend (like me! Check out my previous blog post all about the Brut IPA trend), you’ll enjoy the Pinkies High Brut IPA. Characteristically crisp and dry, this beer allows subtle hop flavors to shine. You’ll enjoy the layered flavors of an IPA while feeling like your beer is light and refreshing.

If you want to visit:

An arial view of the taproom with people throughout. — A bit of a bird’s eye view of the taproom. See those people on the right-hand side with the pizza box? Those are Sips N Tips’ number one fans (aka my parents, who also have an appreciation for good beer and accompany me on these crazy adventures every so often).

Check out Gunwhale’s tasting room in Costa Mesa next time you find yourself in the area. Their taproom perfectly compliments their Coastal Ale style, showcasing little hints of farmhouse tools and the seafarer’s gadgets. It’s a laidback atmosphere where you can bring your dog or your own food. The bartenders are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable and will assist you in loading up on some crowlers to go (trust me, you’ll want lots of them).

So there you have it, the January 8^th edition of Sip of the Week! Thanks Gunwhale Ales for such a delicious, unique sip to add to my list. I can’t wait to visit again!

Have a sip that you think I should feature next? Let me know in the comments below!

Cheers!

Father’s Office: The Only Office to Visit on a Saturday

Posted on September 24, 2018April 30, 2019 by caitlin

If you’re a Southern California native, or happen to be visiting the area, and are looking for your next night out, look no further than Santa Monica, California. And not just anywhere in Santa Monica. Make your destination Father’s Office.

A picture of Father's Office on Montana Avenue. — Good old Montana Avenue. Careful, you might miss it!

Unassuming in nature, this little hole-in-the-wall will be nothing short of memorable. The beer selection is top notch, there’s wine if that’s more your thing, and the food is to die for. One small caveat: if you’re someone who likes to make every menu item custom to your own preferences (“hold the onion, extra sauce please”), then just keep walking down Montana Avenue and find a different restaurant. Customizations are not welcomed at Father’s Office (and rightly so!).

First, make sure you arrive at an off-time.

This place gets jam packed to the point where it isn’t enjoyable. If you want to have the best experience possible, plan accordingly.

Next, check out the beer menu.

There’s lots of bottled beers, but the selection on tap is nothing short of impressive. We happened to head to Father’s Office the same day that Great American Beer Festival winners were announced, and we recognized some names from the winners list!

First up, Green Cheek Beer Company’s “West Coast IPA is Dead!”.

It’s a West Coast style IPA. I can hereby conclude that the style is not dead, and is instead very much alive and well. It’s a great beer! Makes sense that they won bronze in the American-Style IPA category at GABF this year. It’s not overly hoppy, well-rounded in flavor, definitely not malty, light in color, and gives you the opportunity to pick up on the nuances of the Simcoe and Citra hops. Order it if you see it!

The first order of business (for me and a couple others, too!).

Next, and perhaps the most awaited part of the evening: The Office Burger.

No substitutions, just the way it is meant to be. Dry-aged beef, caramelized onion, bacon, gruyere, maytag blue, arugula. Let us all just have a moment of silence for this holy burger of all burgers.

Seriously though, this burger has been featured on Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate”, is on the LA Weekly’s list of 99 Essential Restaurants, and is widely considered to be one of the best burgers in the country. Need I say more?

Just another angle for your viewing pleasure.

Oh yeah, the fries. Ah. May. Zing. They’re served with an aioli sent straight from the heavens.

Once the fantastic food has been washed down with a cold beer, it’s time for another round.

This time, it’s a unicorn of the beer world: Russian River’s Pliny The Elder Double IPA. I’ve been hearing a lot about this beer, how hard it is to come by, and how worth-it it is to find it. To be honest, I was curious to see if the hype was worth it. I can assure you it was.

Pliny the Elders posing for their photo op at the bar.

The beer has an aroma of citrus peel, primarily lemon. It is full-bodied in the lightest way possible. For a double IPA, I was surprised by this. I was expecting a harsh bite to the beer, typical of double IPAs with high alcohol content. Not so! Off the tap it is perfectly effervescent and goes down smoother than an IPA should…it’s almost addictive. The flavors grow the more you sip, and it becomes more enjoyable as you go. Another please!

For those who are into the details, Pliny is brewed with Amarillo, Centennial, CTZ, and Simcoe hops. There’s some malt to it, but the hops still shine. It’s no wonder it has become a flagship beer for Russian River. If you want to know the story behind the name, check out Russian River’s website…the story is a good one!

Now that we’ve consumed enough calories to last us til next week (or until the next brewery we stumble upon), we decide to walk it off along the bluffs of Santa Monica. If you time it right, you’ll be just in time to watch the sunset over Malibu. Soak in the ocean breeze and reminisce about the most iconic Santa Monica experience that you just took part in. Then, plan for your next trip back to the office…

Have you ever visited Father’s Office? If not, add it to your bucket list now!

Until next time, sippers!

Brut IPA: The Champagne of the Beer World

Posted on September 4, 2018April 30, 2019 by caitlin

If you’re a craft beer enthusiast, chances are you’ve heard the term “brut IPA” being thrown around this summer. Lo and behold, the newest beer trend has hit the market!

This time last year it was all about the hazy IPA, a characteristically cloudy beer known for showcasing bold, juicy flavors and a smooth hop profile. While hazy beers have been in existence for several years (first originating at Vermont Pub & Brewery, hence it’s other name: “New England IPA”), the trend took the beer world by storm in 2017. Suddenly, every microbrewery and large production brewery alike were producing the cloudy concoction!

A glass of Hazy IPA on the patio at Institution Ale Company. — Madewest Brewing Company’s Slow Show Hazy IPA, served at Institution Ale Company.

Now, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction with the introduction of brut IPAs.

Crisp, clear, and light in color, this beer looks more like a lager than anything else. But it’s the flavor that sets it aside from all the rest. Brut IPAs feature a hop-forward profile that is uncharacteristically dry to taste. Don’t get me wrong, “dry” works perfectly with this beer! And that’s where the connection to Champagne comes in…

A glass of brut IPA on the table. — Madewest’s Effervescent Brut IPA served at Institution Ale Works.

Brut Champagne refers to bubbly that lacks sweetness altogether. Instead, emphasizes buttery, sharp citrus, or floral flavors. By the same token, brut IPAs also lack sweetness and instead feature hoppy, crisp flavors with piney, earthy, or floral notes. Brut IPAs feature a unique brewing process that breaks down sugars into smaller-than-usual chain molecules. This allows the yeast to eat up these sugar chains and extract any malty, sweet flavors in the concoction. Therefore, the hops aren’t masked by residual sugars from the brewing process, which allows the subtlest of hop flavors to shine through.

So, with two summers we’ve seen two very opposite styles of beer in the spotlight. Hazy vs. clear. Juicy vs. dry. The palates of the beers couldn’t be more different, yet it can be hard to choose a favorite!

Recently, two of my favorite breweries, Institution Ale Company and Madewest Brewing Company, hosted a tap takeover where they served their beers side-by-side. While Institution’s staple beers always hit the spot, I was able to try Madewest’s brut and hazy IPAs side-by-side to compare the two. I’ve never had a Madewest beer that wasn’t excellent, and the Effervescent Brut IPA was no different. It was perfectly piney, dry, and refreshing, and it quickly became my new favorite brut. Madewest’s Slow Show Hazy IPA was smooth, juicy, and easy to drink despite its high ABV, and was perfect for a warm evening outside. Both beers were drastically different from one another in the best way possible. I couldn’t have asked for a better comparison of styles. Both hit all the marks!

If you find yourself in Ventura County, be sure to check out Institution and Madewest.

Institution features their fantastic namesake IPA, Institution IPA, as well as a variety of pale ales, stouts, and ambers that rotate throughout the year. Institution also has the best soft pretzels I’ve had outside of Germany, and fantastic pizzas featuring unique combinations of ingredients. You could call it one of my favorite restaurants! You also can’t go wrong with a visit to Madewest, where the Standard, Pale Ale, and IPA are their shining stars. It can be hard not to order one of those when you realize how delicious they are, but be sure to try some of their special releases (like the brut and hazy). They never disappoint!

So, hazy or brut?

Which style is your favorite? And which brews are your favorites? Let me know what should be on my tasting list in the comments below!

Wine Flavored Beer: Where Grapes and Hops Meet

Posted on July 24, 2018April 30, 2019 by caitlin

This week I dipped my toe into new waters by trying a new brew: one that resembles wine nearly as much as it does beer!

Before I get into the details of the taste, I should note that one of the recent trends in the world of craft beverages has been mixing mediums during the brewing, aging, or distillation process. Some examples of the combination-crafts are dry-hopped Chardonnay, wine barrel-aged ale, and hopped vodka. I’ve had an eye out for these concoctions for a couple of months now, and only stumbled upon this beer over the weekend at a local tasting room called McGregors.

Enter: Old Redwood Brewing Company’s Herbst Blauer American Pale Ale.

A bottle of Old Redwood's Pale Ale with two full glasses. — The Herbst Blauer is a live beer, so it is important to keep the bottle stored upright. The live beer also gives the beer an opaque look.

This Pale is brewed with Galaxy and Southern Cross hops, as well as fresh-pressed Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Yep, you read that right. Grapes in beer!

Old Redwood Brewing Company is located in Sonoma County, California, so it is no wonder that the worlds of wine and beer have melded together here.

So, what does this unusual concoction taste like?

The first word I would use to describe the beer is “oaky”. In that sense, your first sip resembles the body that a chilled glass of oaked Sauvignon Blanc would carry. The oaky backbone of the beer is quickly followed by a fruity, full-bodied hop profile. Suddenly your palate transforms from recognizing a palate of wine flavors to a palate of an earthy, bitter beer. The overall taste of the Herbst Blauer Pale Ale is completely unique, but really enjoyable!

The details:

ABV: 5.9%

IBU: 44

Price per 750ml bottle (from the brewery): $12.00

My overall recommendation: buy it if you see it! It may not be your everyday drinking beer, but it’s a great way to enjoy something new in the realm of craft beverages.

Have you tried any of these beverage crossovers? Let me know in the comments below!

The Most Epic Beer I Ever Drank (Hint: It involves the Alps!)

Posted on April 26, 2018April 30, 2019 by caitlin

I once drank a beer on top of the Alps. My bet is that not many people can say they’ve done the same in their lifetime!

Views of the peaks of the Alps. — This will probably be my favorite view for years to come. Pictures just don’t do it justice.

One of the most amazing trips we’ve taken to date was in the summer of 2017 when we took a road trip through Bavaria.

I was inspired to do this trip after reading a blog post by Bruised Passports, where they detailed their off-the-beaten-path destinations throughout Germany and Austria. Tucker and I adapted some of their suggestions to our own travel itinerary and off we went. (Psst…I did another post about visiting Germany here…check it out!)

By far the most stunning part of the trip was our visit to the Karwendelbahn. We took a cable car up to an elevation of over 7,300 feet and hiked along the (snowy and icy and very slippery) ridge of the mountain. The views were spectacular.

Caitlin in a cable car. — The little blue cable car that took us up and down the mountain!

One of the most awesome things about being on the top of that mountain was that we had views of the Alps in four different countries (Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland) as we overlooked the mountain ranges in the distance. As we hiked along the mountain top, we actually crossed the German/Austrian border!

Caitlin standing between sign posts indicating the German/Austrian border. — Signage indicating the German/Austrian border.

On the other side of the mountain there is a giant telescope that you can take a peek through, which gives you views of the valley below. Inside the telescope building there is also an exhibit about the unique natural habitat that exists at 7,300 feet elevation.

Giant telescope on top of the mountain. — Check out that telescope!

Caitlin standing at the edge of a mountain overlooking Mittenwald. — The view of Mittenwald from the telescope building.

What better way to soak in this spectacular view than with a beer in hand?

Not just any beer, either. A local brew made right down the mountain in a town called Mittenwald. It was one of those beers that you just don’t want to finish because the experience of drinking it on the top of the Alps is so darn cool.

Two glasses of beer with mountains in the background. — Our Mittenwald Lagers on the mountain top. AKA the most epic beers we ever drank.

If you find yourself traveling through Bavaria, set aside some time to visit the Karwendelbahn.

We spent a couple of hours up at the top of the mountain, but it felt like we could have spent all day there. If you are looking for a longer experience at the Karwendelbahn, consider taking the cable car up the mountain in the morning, and hiking back down to the base. That’s what I would do next time around!

Caitlin standing on the top of the mountain peak. — There was still snow on top of the mountains in late May, and trying to hike along the top of the range made for a very slippery experience!

Where’s the most epic place you’ve enjoyed a beer? Let me know in the comments below!

The Best Brews are in Your Backyard

Posted on October 5, 2017April 30, 2019 by caitlin

It’s easy to be blinded by the big-name brands of craft beer, and don’t get me wrong—they have their place. When I’m at a random restaurant looking for a beer, I’m always happy to see Stone or Ballast Point on the menu. That said, what I’ve come to discover is that often, the small, family-owned breweries in my own backyard are making beers of the same (or better!) caliber.

As a Ventura County resident, I’m happy to report that I have nearly two dozen breweries making quality craft within minutes of where I live. I frequent many of these places! However, what Ventura County lacks is the small-town, walkable feel that many other beer hubs (like San Diego and Portland) thrive on. Which means more driving and less beer drinking. Womp womp.

Enter: Ventura Craft Brew Tours.

This family-owned transportation service that shuttles you to craft breweries (and will even pick up and drop you off at your home if you live in Ventura). Which means less driving and more beer drinking. Whoop whoop! Tasters are included at every destination. If that’s not enough beer, they have a chilled cooler to store your to-go growlers throughout the day, too!

Two people cheersing a beer in front of a van. — The family behind the brew tours!

Ventura Craft Brew Tours is new to the Ventura beer scene, as they just founded the company over the summer. They are a small business supporting other small businesses in their hometown—a piece that is central to their mission. The craft beer business in the US is a community more than anything else, and Ventura Craft Brew Tours is the perfect complement to that culture!

Beer drinkers at a brewery — Happy beer drinkers on their Ventura Craft Brew Tour!

Want to see where the Brew Tours can take you? Check out the brewery logos below. Some of the stops are favorites of mine!

A flight of beers from Madewest brewery. — I enjoyed a flight at Madewest recently…the IPA cannot be missed! And the tasting room is awesome, too. Check out my other post about Madewest beer here!

Have you taken any beer tours or frequented breweries in your hometown? Let me know in the comments below!

A Sipper’s Paradise in the PNW: Bainbridge Island, Seattle

Posted on September 17, 2017April 30, 2019 by caitlin

We decided a few months ago that September would be the perfect time for a mini-vacation to end a busy summer filled with work and Southern California heat. The chosen destination was Seattle, and we departed with high hopes of cold weather, jackets, and rain. Instead, we were welcomed to a city filled with smoke from the Washington wildfires, hot weather, and 90 percent humidity. Not fun.

Smokey skies behind the iconic Pike Place sign.

After dealing with the heat for a day or two, we decided it was time to get on the water and beat the heat. We took the ferry to Bainbridge Island (about a 30-minute boat ride from Seattle) and spent the day wandering around the little town that looks like it is straight out of a storybook. We enjoyed checking out the little boutique shops on the main drag, and had an awesome lunch at Bruciato. And just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, it did.

Enter: Coppertop Park.

Not the kind of park you’re thinking of. An industrial business park. And guess what industrial business parks are perfect for? Breweries.

Old truck outside of a brewery — The glorious sight we were welcomed by…a brewery! And an awesome old school truck.

A short bus ride from downtown Bainbridge lies Bainbridge Island Brewing Company.

It feels like a “locals only” place that brews and serves quality beer under its copper roof, surrounded by giant trees. It screams PNW. We found ourselves hanging at the brewery enjoying a couple of beers and relaxing for the afternoon before we decided to walk around the rest of Coppertop Park to see what else was around while we waited for our bus back to the ferry.

(Side note: what we learned is that this so-called “dial-a-ride” bus service is not nearly as reliable as they say it is. Long story short, Uber saved the day. Sort of. (Side note 2: somehow, our Uber driver got lost. Like, seriously? How does that happen. Eye rolls all around.) Take note of all this in case you ever decide to go on this excursion.)

Our walk around Coppertop led us to find a few other hidden gems that turned this locals-only brewery experience into a must-do for Bainbridge visitors who enjoy their sips.

A row of tap handles at Bainbridge Island brewing — The taps with custom stained glass signage above.

A tasting flight at Bainbridge Island brewing — Our flight…the Double IPA was the favorite.

A lineup of pints at Bainbridge Island Brewing — They happened to be doing a photoshoot the afternoon we were there, so we snapped a quick shot of their year-round beer lineup.

Right next door to the brewery lies Fletcher Bay Winery.

This family-owned winery makes small batches of wine from Washington-grown grapes. I learned while we were here that Washington state is the second largest wine-producing state in the US! Naturally, we had to give their wine a try. If you go, stick to the reds…those are the specialty. The Tempranillo was my favorite.

A glass of red wine from Fletcher Bay Winery — Enjoying a glass of wine in Fletcher Bay’s coastal-themed tasting room.

And we’re not done yet…

Across from the winery you will find Bainbridge Organic Distillers. I’m not a big fan of spirits myself, but there were plenty of people inside taking tours of the facility and enjoying tastings, too.

A lineup of bottles from Bainbridge Organic Distillers — A lineup of spirits with the distillery behind.

The tasting room at Bainbridge Organic Distillers — Yes, the guitar is for sale…not sure why.

Last, but not least:

Now, once you give each of these establishments a try, you’ll probably be pretty tired toward the end of your tasting experience. Fear not! As if this Coppertop place couldn’t get any better, it also features Storyville Coffee…a Seattle-born and family-owned coffee shop AND roaster! A perfect pick-me-up before heading back to the city.

Burlap bags of coffee beans at Storybook Coffee — Bags n bags n bags of coffee beans…the smell in this place was incredible!

All this to say: we basically found a sipper’s “Disneyland” on Bainbridge Island. And it is well worth checking out for yourself when you need a quick getaway from busy downtown Seattle.

Until next time, Bainbridge!

Aircraft & Beer Craft…Book Your Flights!

Posted on September 6, 2017April 30, 2019 by caitlin

Coming up at the end of September is the second annual Breitling Huntington Beach Air Show in Huntington Beach, California. (In case you don’t know, Breitling makes watches that you probably can’t afford.) This event, which will take place September 30-October 1, 2017, showcases several notable air performers (including the US Navy Blue Angels) who demonstrate precision, talent, and technique in their aircraft as they conduct flyovers, flips, and formations over the open ocean. As if this spectacle was not awesome enough, you get to enjoy the event while overlooking the beautiful Huntington Beach pier and soaking in some Southern California sun. What more could you need for your weekend getaway?

I’m glad you asked! An event like this is just not complete without a good brew (or two…or three). A Huntington Beach native myself, I thought I would share with you my favorite craft breweries where you can find some quality sips to enjoy with the air show. Did I mention that all three of these breweries are award-winning?

Beachwood Brewing

Located at 7631 Woodwind Drive, Huntington Beach

Beachwood Brewing’s tap room is an off-the-beaten-path local hangout. Beachwood has a beer for everyone. From lagers to porters, and hoppy IPAs in between, their tap room features more than a dozen kegs of fresh beer to choose from any time you visit.

Beachwood Brewing taps — A view of the Beachwood Taps

An IPA fan myself, my go-to Beachwood beer is the Amalgamator—a West Coast-Style IPA hopped with Amarillo, Warrior, Columbus, and Mosaic hops. By including this unique combination of hop varieties in the kettle, Beachwood allows this beer to develop an amalgam (get it?!) of flavors more complex than your typical West Coast IPA. The Amalgamator is then dry-hopped with Mosaic hops, giving it a crisp, fruity, extra hoppy (99+ IBU!) citrus finish. This powerful, complex IPA is what many IPAs strive to be, especially considering it holds a silver medal in the American IPA category from the California State Fair!

If lighter beers are more your style, then you can’t go wrong with Beachwood’s award-winning Foam Top Blonde Ale. The Foam Top is a perfect refreshment for a summer day. It’s light body and mild hop flavor make this ale a crowd favorite. The Foam Top has been recognized for its perfection several times, winning gold medals at both the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup, as well as a silver medal at the San Diego International Beer Competition.

Beachwood brewing tasters — Beachwood Brewing Tasters

If you happen to find yourself in Seal Beach or Long Beach (just north of Huntington Beach), be sure to stop into Beachwood BBQ for a meal. The food is delicious, and all of their freshly-made beers are available on tap as well. Long Beach is also home to The Blendary, Beachwood’s small batch beer producer, which features uniquely-made Belgian-style ales.

Four Sons Brewing

Located at 18421 Gothard Street, Huntington Beach

The family posing in the brewery — The family behind Four Sons Brewing

This family-owned and operated brewery just celebrated its 3^rd anniversary, and in its three years in Huntington Beach, Four Sons Brewing has made quite the impact! You would be hard-pressed to find an HB local who hasn’t enjoyed a Four Sons beer or their awesome tasting room. Four Sons combines quality beer with a family-friendly environment, making it a perfect weekend hangout spot for locals.

The four sons tasting room — The Four Sons Tasting Room

Each weekend, Four Sons releases at least one new beer, meaning there is always something new for you to try. The brewery features beers of all kinds, and they often experiment with different ingredients to put their own unique spin on a style of beer. Some favorites are the Coconutorius Amber Ale (a gold medal winning beer), the Not So Dum Raspberry Blonde, the O’Sonset Irish Red (one of the most decorated beers on the menu!), and The Great One American IPA (a gold medal winning beer). There really is something for everyone at Four Sons—sours, stouts, and sour stouts included.

My favorite Four Sons brew is the Hopprentice Hoppy Pale Ale. The hoppiness of this Pale Ale bridges the gap between a Pale and an IPA. The beer features a combination of crisp pine flavors with a citrus aroma. Hopprentice is a well-rounded beer that hits the mark on flavor. Combine it with some sliders from Kaya’s Kitchen (the staple Four Sons food truck) and you’ve got yourself the perfect lunch.

A pint of beer with a tasting flight in the background — My favorite beer…the Hopprentice!

If you happen to be a hockey fan, be sure to stop by the brewery during hockey season. The family are big LA Kings fans, and there is almost always a game to watch while you enjoy your brew! It’s not uncommon to see other sports on the big screen throughout the year, too. Check out their wall adorned with beer competition medals during the commercial breaks.

Riip Beer Company

Located at 17214 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach

Located just steps from Bolsa Chica State Beach, Riip Beer Company features its own style of beer that capitalizes on the laidback culture of Surf City, USA. Having just recently expanded their tasting room to accommodate more thirsty customers, Riip offers an idyllic beach environment, complete with an ocean view and outdoor patio, to enjoy some quality craft brew.

A crowler, pint, and growler in front of palm trees — Riip bottles in their natural habitat.

Riip beers are often hoppy and dank, but in the best, most balanced way possible. The tap room always has several IPAs on tap (those seem to be the specialty), with a few Blondes, Reds, Browns, and Porters to help round the menu board out. You really can’t go wrong with any beer on the menu…I’ve yet to try one that hasn’t been delicious.

If you’re stuck deciding between the variety of IPAs on tap, order the Super Cali IPA. You will love it. Super Cali won the silver medal in the American IPA category at the Great American Beer Festival in 2016, which is one of the most competitive categories in the beer world! For Riip to take home this prestigious award after only two years in the business says a lot. Another award-winning beer is the Dan K IPA, which won 1^st place in the 2015 Taste of HB competition. As you may assume based on its name, this beer is dank and totally awesome.

A pint of beer in the taproom — The infamous Super Cali IPA at the taproom.

If you are local to Huntington Beach (or happen to have an Airbnb for the weekend), take advantage of Riip’s delivery service. Yes, you read that right. Riip will deliver growlers of beer to your home. Sometimes your beer may even arrive by way of the Riip 1931 Helms Bakery Coach (which doubles as their logo!). Check out the Riip website to learn more about how their beer delivery service helped catapult their brewery into what it is today.

Riip will celebrate their 3^rd anniversary this October. Join them for their anniversary celebration if you find yourself craving another hoppy beer!

5 growlers sitting on the wall — Riip growler delivery

If you find yourself in Huntington Beach for the air show, or any other time, I hope you’ll stop by these local businesses and support their passion for brewing and serving their community. I’m a frequent visitor to each of these places, and feel fortunate that my hometown has so many great local sips to choose from!

And, if you need me during the air show weekend, you know where to find me!

Hi, I’m Caitlin. The Voice Behind Sips N Tips!

Posted on July 9, 2017April 30, 2019 by caitlin

As a kid, my TV-of-choice was Food Network. Sounds silly, but it’s true. “Iron Chef” was my “Friday night pizza” pick (more on that later), and I could have watched “Unwrapped” (anyone else remember this show?!) all weekend if my mom let me. Spoiler alert: cooking shows are still my favorite past-time.

Enjoying an Italian cappuccino in Rome…just one of many sips I’ve enjoyed during my travels!

As I got older, I realized that my interest in food also extended into the beer and wine world (and other spirits, for that matter). Reading the labels on craft beer bottles and getting lost in the wine aisle at the grocery store became my favorite part of the errand. I found myself taking my amateur education in cooking and combining it with my love of beer and wine to create new recipes and pairings for my family and friends. They seem to like it, so I must be doing something right.

To add fuel to the fire, I’ve been hit by the “wanderlust” bug, and if I’m not actually traveling or exploring new territory, I can guarantee you I’m planning my next trip. I have a fascination with culture, and I find that food and drink tend to be the most honest forms of storytelling wherever you go. Sure, you can learn about history in a museum. But what about learning about history through some Bangers & Mash and a 6.5-degrees Celsius Guinness? (More on that later.) Understanding how particular ingredients are sourced, traded, and utilized in your food and drink can shed light on everything from intercultural relations to socioeconomic factors if you pay close enough attention.

Each bite and sip I take during my travels is added to my personal “registry” of flavors and cultural history, and influence my approach to cooking and drinking at home.

Sips N Tips was born with these passions in mind. I want to influence others to get out and explore by seeking out the best of food and drink, and share my own observations of the food, beer, wine, and travel world through the tips I provide. Not only will I tell you about the best wines to buy under $10, I’ll also show you where you can have a pint of German lager at the top of the Alps in Bavaria overlooking mountain ranges in four countries. Yes, this is a real thing and yes, I’ve done it.

Subscribe to Sips N Tips to get these tips, and many more, for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!