Noble Ale Works - Anaheim, CA

 Another industrial warehouse adventure. The town car slows and circles, and though welcomed by the site of the silo, it doesn't appear to be open. The driver encourages Lady Ellamie to try the door, pulling away to the thump of funk.

 It's early for a Thursday, an away game day. The tasting room is sparse. A few picnic tables, and a short bar. The carved wooden signs hanging from pegs tell her today is a short list day. Only 5 on tap, which makes selecting the 5 beers for the sampler a no brainer.

  Pistol Whips Pils: 4.5% 26 IBUs - Full bodied with a unique nose, her name is Mouteka, and she's from New Zealand. At first, she's hard to place, but then you hope to recognize her special scent in the future. Not too dry and not too malt. Heavier hitter than the traditional Czech style. Break Away Pale Ale: 5.0% 41 IBU - pale, bitter, golden, low carb. Another hard to place scent, kinda stinky, but not in a bad way. The Good Ship ESB 5.8% 35 IBU Swirling with the color of wildflower honey, and oh so little head. Smooth and silky, slipping down your throat. Tight, tiny bubbles tickle your tongue. Not much of smell, vaguely antiseptic. The taste sweetens as it warms. Big Whig IPA 6.8% 77 IBU, but which hops did they use? An earthy, faint cat piss aroma. Adequately bittered for this style. Rosalita 4.5% 26 IBU A slight pink hue shines through the goblet, invoking thoughts of grandma's pink wine in a jug, imperceptible head. Hibiscus imbues color and tartness, and perhaps the green peppers too? Mmmm.... Peppers. Wanting Mexican food... which would pair well with Rosalita. What a shame! No food truck today, and limited beer selection = short visit.

Perhaps induced by these conditions, there was the rare sighting of aurora beerealis!

 

Overall: Near Angels Stadium, which means decent beer before a game, and a projector promises views of the game at all times. The crowd today was mostly men after a white collar work day. A couple of beer geeks swish clean water in the glass prior to noting the elements of their swig. The crowd grew lively but not friendly, people seemed to keep to themselves. Danielle, the beer maiden, is a gem. Knowledgeable and friendly, full of enthusiasm. The beers which had the best reviews were not available that day.

An ad on the cork board announces it is the second anniversary of a local blog, promising 13 beers on Saturday.  And what of the brews for the party on Saturday?  Danielle can't be bribed for information, and with tribute band "Slaves Against The Machine" playing, it sounds like a good time. In the future, a call to inquire the taps, it might save a mediocre trip.

Anaheim Brewing Company

A recent unplanned visit to The Anaheim Brewing Company was a pleasant surprise. The driver tried to find a place to drop Lady Ellamie, but it was surrounded by parking, and the entrance was not easily located.  Turns out the entrance is in 'the back', and allows for a much more casual feel. The historic area is in the midst of revival, and what was an over-grown weed-riddled  parking lot in the rear, is turning into a centrally located park, developed specifically for a farmers market. The open air seating anchoring the scene, will be THE place to get your groceries, sip some good beer, and listen to live music. 

The ritual flight was ordered, and the following was tasted: Conrads Kolsch 5.1% - a top fermented wheat fashioned after beers from Koln (Cologne) Germany. It is slightly sweet and refreshing with a closing bitterness that seems just right, a good place to start. Anaheim Gold  4.5% made with honey malt, has a nice full, smooth body, and a lovely honey color. A plain Jane sort of beer, but acceptable by all means.  Anaheim Hefeweizen 5.5% hazy-pale yellow-straw lacking that banana. A questionably green pepper finish. Anaheim Red  5.5% slight roastiness and a grainy nose, carbonated bitterness. 1888 5.5% Tasty and fragrant, almost flowery with a bit-o-malt. Mellowly carbonated, it makes for easy drinkin, and was pint worthy. Coast to Coast IPA 7.0%  this seemed to be the locals favorite, with pints and growlers in constant pour. An East Coast IPA, it is not nearly as hoprageous as the West Coast style, making it much more drinkable (rather than sip-able). Dark Scotch Ale 6.1% - Peat and smokiness take a back seat to the malts, though both were present. 

                     

This was a very friendly place, and while they do not serve food, Umami Burger is right next door, and will happily deliver to the bar, if they aren't slammed. The locals will talk your ear off about, well, just about anything. There is lots of laughter to be heard, even with a small crowd. Many of them walk from the local hood, and are eager to talk to you, if you want them to. Samantha and Amber were very attentive and happy to be there, even when you walk in at closing and ask for three growler fills.

The brewery itself is visible from the bar, and was quiet that Thursday night. While this  probably won't be a regular stop, its hard not to envision having a lovely afternoon with a pint or three while noshing on farm fresh goodies, on a summer afternoon.