Beer-cation

A week ago we were in San Diego. It was a perfect 74 degrees. Beautiful blue skies. Smell of the ocean in the air. And there was beer. Craft beer. And there was a lot.
But today, we're back in Arizona. Back to work. Back to the endless heat. Endless dirt in the air. But we have the memories.... And I feel like reminiscing about our Beer-cation.
So let's talk beer, while I drink a beer.
We decided to take a different way into San Diego so that we could go through Julian and then down to Alpine to try the local breweries there. But we ended up missing that exit, and took the same way we always go to San Diego which caused us to drive a windy, scary, narrow road up a mountain to Julian. 

We made it though. First stop with Julian Brewing Co/Bailey's BBQ. We got some pints and some sandwiches and they hit the spot.

Wife Beer: Cedar Creek Honey Ale 5.8% Honey Ale brewed with local honey.
       "Very Crisp, honey aroma. Light sweetness. Slight hop bitterness."
Husband Beer: Good Brothers Citra Pale Ale 5.3%
       "I love the malt profile of the pale ale. The hops are in the end. Color and aroma are the stars."

The place itself was great. Exactly what you would expect from a BBQ place in a tourist mining town. The beer were more than expected, but not the greatest. All in all, the food was more of the star, but the beer was a good supporting cast.

Next up in Julian was Nickle Beer Co. about a half mile down the road. Driving by, it looked like an old VFW building. Who knows, we didn't ask. We were too busy drinking beer. We go in and to the left is the bar where the little cold pints of heaven are served. To the right is the brewery. Brewery might seem like a stretch if you saw it. It was a tiny little room where the beer is made.

 After we looked over the expensive beer selection, which was really a lot for a tiny little place, we order our beers from Melody. Scottish Mel. And yes, she really was Scottish with the accent and everything. Well, not everything. She wasn't wearing a kilt. Or maybe she was... the bar was in the way... Anyway... off to the outside bar to enjoy the beer, weather and scenery.

 Husband Beer: Hop Heaven Farms IPA (Chinook, Cascade, & Centennial hops from farm in Oregon)    "Hoppy and Malty. Sweet and Floral. Sensational."
Wife Beer: Julian Pale Ale
                   "Well balanced flavors. Malty but not overly thick. Great hop bitterness and aroma. Great little brewery"
                  

So, after these two beers, and a full stomachs we were ready for the drive back down the mountain and to Alpine!

To be continued...