White Labs (San Diego, CA) - 14 JUN 2016

Pulling into the parking lot one is greeted with a generic looking industrial building, the sign featuring a microscope.  Without the banner advertising "Tasting Room", one would never realize that they are about to experience one of the the most unique tasting room experiences possible.  The White Labs Tasting Room features beers created on site, using the same base wort but fermented using different yeast strains. 

I chose a flight of Porters using 4 different strains of yeast. Unbelievable how differently they tasted: one like a traditional Porter; one a bit sweet; another almost sour.  Only difference - the yeast.

Lights in the tasting room were made using Erlenmeyer flasks and artwork showing scientific equipment covered the walls highlighting the laboratory atmosphere.  Instead of looking into the brewery like most tasting room windows, the ones here looked into the biochemistry labs where they do yeast processing and analysis.

They were also serving one of the most unique beers that I've ever seen - FrankenStout.  Here is the description from a press release announcing the beers release.

Frankenstout answers the burning question, “What would happen if we pitched 96 yeast strains into one beer?” The answer is, well, complex. Each strain struggles for dominance, with twists and turns in every sip. The beer pours black with a thick brown head. Robust coffee and dark chocolate aromas and flavors abound. Belgian yeast strains are evident through spicy and clove like notes. The beer finishes with a strong cherry oak finish.