Retro Post: Cannery Row Brewing Company … Monterrey, CA

 

 

I’m not really a John Steinbeck fan … he was a very depressing writer, but I read Cannery Row.  Actually, I read it not that long ago.  I’ve been working my way through the classics.  Have I said yet how much I like Hemingway?  Haha.  But I digress.  I had the opportunity to travel to Monterrey and visited Cannery Row.  What I didn’t realize was there was a brewery there!  Woo Hoo!

IMAG0121

It is also in the old warehouse district.  The place is being refurbished and there are some very interesting things in that area of Monterrey.

IMAG0124

Since I was a tourist I took a few random shots of the town.  I’ve posted them here.IMAG0125 IMAG0126 IMAG0127

The best thing about this place?  The night I showed up they were having a “Firkin Fest” and the the Firkin just happened a cask-conditioned Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA.  Yes!!!

IMAG0130

So, take your normal Gold-Medal winning Union Jack and amp it up a notch by cask-conditioning it!  This was a fabulous beer.

IMAG0128   IMAG0132

I was in Firestone-Walker heaven … can you tell by the look on my face??

IMAG0129

Not only did they have this great cask conditioned ale, but I also found a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle on their shelf — yes, I had to try it for sure!  It was great.  This place was fun, a good mix of food and beverages, and it’s right there for all you Steinbeck fans to visit.  Give it a shot!

Beer Mentor

IMAG0133

Firestone Walker Brewery – Paso Robles, CA!

Recently … ok, last week … I had the fortune of passing through Paso Robles California.  Kind of funny — I lived in this town as a kid back in the late sixties/early seventies when my dad worked at Camp Roberts.  What’s special about it besides that? :o)

It is the home of Firestone Walker Brewery.

Started by brothers-in-law 15 years ago (at the Firestone Vineyard), they’ve quickly made a name for themselves as Regional Craft Brewers winning several GABF and World Beer Awards.    They also happen to make my favorite American beer: Union Jack IPA.  This is a fantastic (award-winning) version of a West Coast IPA (but definitely balanced…so maybe not completely west-coast)!

 

But on to the brewery!  My friend Bobby and I had the pleasure of “Tim’s” company as our tour guide walking around the brewery!

Tim did a great job–super nice guy, knowledgeable, and answered our 1 million geeky questions.  We saw the inner-workings of the brewery … and, yes, they do use the double-barrel fermentation system … and keg it!

  

They have the same issues as other successful breweries — they are cramped for space — from fermentors, to lagering tanks, and places to store their wonderful firkins.  I think Tim told us they would be expanding in the near future …

   

After the extensive tour, we retired to the tasting room where you can sample all of the beers they sell (plus some you can only get at the brewery).  Can you pick out the beers on this sign you can only get at the brewery??

 

If you have the opportunity and are in the area, I highly recommend stopping in at Firestone Walker.  All of the staff are super, the beers are great, and the location is excellent!

Enjoy,

Beer Mentor

Beermentor is still alive!!

Ok, I didn’t fall off the face of the earth … however, I was involved in a move from Washington, DC to San Antonio, TX.  It kept me busy … but I’m back to the blog!  A lot has happened since May 23rd.  I’ve had the pleasure of visiting several more breweries, brewpubs, and even took my Beer Judges Certification Program exam … I will be adding the links (and pictures) over the next few days to catch up … thanks for your patience!

Enjoy!

Beer Mentor