California Trip (Part 2) - The Firestone Walker Inaugural Fest

That is 3 Floyds Dark Lord Vanilla Bean. Really. Suck it.

The whole plan for this trip started when Firestone Walker announced that they were planning the Invitation Festival this winter. Ashley (being the loyal Facebook devotee) caught the post the day they put it up. We recruited Eric and bought the regular tickets the first day they went on sale.

And then we planned a trip around the fest and the easiest days to fly from ORD to SFO.

They've gotten a ton of great press about the event already so there's no need for me to go into a ton of detail about it. But I'd be doing the event and those responsible for organizing it a huge disservice if I didn't say that it was simply the best fest I've been to thus far. The selection of beers, the organization of the festival grounds themselves, and the concept behind it were all phenomenal.

I had the chance to revisit some of my favorites, try a ton of beers you just can't get here in Chicago (Russian River, Pizza Port, etc) and to sample more than a few super-rare specialties.

They just announced June 1st, 2013 the date for next year's fest. I'll be shocked if I have any trouble convincing my partners in crime to do a second round... (Well, other than the fact that Ashley and I will likely have just gotten back from our honeymoon.)

California Trip (Part 3) - The Toronado

Everyone we talked to along the way said we absolutely needed to go to The Toronado. The San Fran locals we met on the bus to the festival, Justin from The Brewing Network, one of our airline industry friends from Chicago (completely unsolicited), and everyone else.

So we did. Ash and I drove around for about 30 minutes looking for parking after spending some time at a street fest in the Haight. But we eventually found somewhere to ditch the rental, used Google maps and walked to the bar.

It didn't disappoint. They've got a solid selection of drafts, are unapologetic on their curt service and cash-only policy and after settling in to your table, it slowly becomes apparent that this place has a  certain patina. As in, "We were here before craft beer was called microbrew, you un-enlighted mofo. Glad you finally decided to join the cause."

I love these places. We're lucky enough to have The Map Room and The Hopleaf here in Chicago, and even the relative newcomer in The Local Option. The Palm Tavern (still no website) is where I had my angels and trumpets moment with beer. I'm sure there are more out there and I want to find them.

But if you're in San Fran, do yourself a favor and go here. Seriously.

(Original Photo from Flickr)

California Trip (Part 1)

IllSo our hotel bar in San Fran has Pliny the Elder on tap. Upon noticing this last night I immediately ordered three for Ashley, my buddy Eric, giddy with anticipation.

I don't know if it was an old keg or it hadn't been cellared properly, but it did not change my life. There's so much hype about this beer that I'm not sure it could've lived up to my expectations. Don't get me wrong - it's a damn good beer. But I think all of the hype about it does Vinny a disservice. I'll gladly drink it again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to set up a trade for it when bombers of Double Jack are readily available in Chicago...