Stone Brewery

Yesterday Pere and I drove down to Escondido to visit the Brewery and Bistro where they make Stone Beer.



Pere got introduced to Stone Beers, specifically Arrogant Bastard, soon after it was first created at a fellow techie's party down in San Diego almost eleven years ago. But it wasn't until we visited those friends again at their new sheep ranch in Colorado about five years ago that we really started to appreciate the brew.

About two years ago the Wholefoods near us started carrying Stone beers and since then we have been devotees and vocal advocates.

If you think it is weird that we would drive two hours and stay overnight in a hotel just to drink some beers at least know we are not alone. *grin* Check out their press and read how Stone Beers are considered the third best in the world and the number one rated beer made in America.




Seriously, this beer tastes good. Now if you are used to drinking what Stone calls "fizzy yellow beer" it might take several tastings to appreciate a Stone Beer. They are very bitter and some, like their Imperial Stout, extremely full bodied. I am not a huge drinker but Arrogant Bastard and Stone's Pale Ale are the best beers I have ever tasted.

They have honestly ruined me on most other beers. This is a such a common occurance in that Stone puts out a beer called Ruination.

Stone is also a very cool looking beer. Their mascot is a bad gargoyle and their slogan is "You're Not Worthy." But it isn't just talk. Like I said, the beer is bitter and dark. Also the alcohol content is significantly higher than regular beers. Even their Pale Ale is stronger than Guiness. Here is a link to their alcohol content and bitterness ratings.

So if that all that doesn't have you beer drinkers searching for a local Stone distributers let me add that Stone Brewery is also an environmentally conscious company. Their bistro is organic, free-range and local, their beer only has four ingredients -hops, barley, water and yeast (i.e. no corn syrup)



and they are soon to start using biodiesel in their distribution trucks.

First we arrived at the Brewery/Bistro and had lunch there. I had Pale Ale and Pere the Barley Wine. We ate BBQ duck tacos and mushroom and jalpeno "pillows"

After lunch took a walk in their gardens








We came back in the late afternoon to take a tour of the Brewery and learn about their beer making process. It was very funny and educational.




After the tour we got free samples of four different beers.


We stayed for dinner then and shared Buffalo Burgers and Thai Curry Pork Tenderloins.

Pere noted that he had tried six different beers that day (Barley Wine, Pale Ale, Smoked Porter, IPA, Arrogant Bastard and Double Bastard)



At the shop Pere bought a growler of Double Arrogant Bastard



I bought a tank top



and a t-shirt


It was a really fun trip, it was nice for us to be able to get away and drink responsibly knowing that Z was safe with her Grandparents. But now we are all home again, so I must go!