Speak Easy Big Daddy IPA

Was able to sample some of these before I went back to New Jersey for a week.

I've never had Speak Easy before, but their Big Daddy IPA was something I'll grab again.


Very hoppy, unique taste and not for everyone though (plus, it's 6.5% alcohol), so be careful before offering it to friends who aren't beer lovers. If someone considers a regular Sam Adams as a step on the wild side, hold off on offering them this, they're definitely not ready. Definitely offer it to me though!

I still like my local brewer Stone Brewing a lot as well, and I'll be blogging on Lost Coast soon, but this is definitely a sixer that'll go into rotation in the fridge.

Picked it up @ Bevmo for about $9. And check out that bottle!!!

Magic Hat #9

I recently got an email from the Magic Hat marketing department asking me to re-sign back up for their newsletter (I stopped because they don't sell in San Diego... or west of the Mississippi for that matter).

Well, I'm in New Jersey now, home of Nike's Danny Kass ;-), and as usual went to go buy some Magic Hat. Bought a lot actually, but I'll blog first about the one people seem to know best, Magic Hat #9.

It's good stuff. A little fruity, maybe apricoty, it's an almost pale ale that is easy to drink. One of the better things to come out of Vermont, along with eesa and the Rome SDS.

Look for me to blog more about Magic Hat before I'm back in SD.

Stone Ruination IPA

Could a six pack be worth $12? If it's Stone Ruination IPA, heck yeah!!!


This isn't a light beer drinker's beer. All my friends know I'm a huge fan of PBR and Miller High Life Light, but if you're not a big hoppy beer guy, then steer clear of this one.

Bev Mo gives the Ruination IPA 98 points and Stone themselves call this beer a "massive hop monster;" I have to agree with both.

What adds to my love of the Stone Brewery in general is that their based in San Diego! I've yet to head to their brewery, but rumor has it in their beer garden is some super fine furniture from my friend (and client) Johnny West @ Maku.

If you like bold and bitter tastes, this could be worth it for you. Word to the wise though, it's 7.7 alcohol by volume could have lightweights out of commission by the end of beer two.

Flying Dog Tire Biter

This isn't a new beer, but we're not always about new, are we?

A staple in my fridge is the Flying Dog Tire Biter Ale. It's a little on the light side, but not super light. Good for people that want to get away from the macro-brews and are intimidated by some of the other things out there. Or, they're good for people who like taste with their beer, but want to have more than a couple.

I don't know much about Flying Dog, but I've had a few of their beers in the past and they're pretty solid. Check them out here.

Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale

I like beer of many shapes and sizes, with the exception being many of the Mexican brews out there (but I do enjoy Negra Modelo and Sol). Nothing against the good people of Mexican heritage, I'm just not stoked on their beer. Hey, I'm Irish and I don't like Guinness either!

Each year for Thanksgiving I grab a few six packs of Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale. It's a novelty beer for the novelty that has become my San Diego Thanksgiving (surfing, ping-pong, Wii and lots of beer with other SD transplants). Brewed by Bill Owens in Hayward, CA, the Pumpkin Ale did us right this year. Using a combination of baked and roasted pumpkins with cinnamon spice, BB's Pumpkin Ale hits the spot for someone who wants a festive brew.

In year's prior I was the only one to enjoy it, but now I have new friends with new tastes, so I was stoked to see Justin and Chris gripping bottles in between matches on the pong table or while playing DDR Hottest party on the Wii.

If you can try some, do. It's not a beer I can have more than four of in a sitting, but it's definitely worth checking out. Bevmo has it right now!