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.

Cellar 3 by Green Flash Brewing Company (Poway, CA) - 15 JUN 2016

Just over a mile from my work location, Cellar 3 by Green Flash Brewing Company was perfectly situated for an after work visit. Cellar 3 is 12,000 square feet of space dedicated to the art of craft beer innovation through barrel-aging and wild yeast experimentation from the folks at Green Flash Brewing Company.  

There is an attractive outdoor space with regular seating and a stand-up railing that looks out onto green space in a lightly populated industrial area. A pleasant place to be on an early San Diego evening.  

Just inside is an inviting bar area.  Lighting points the way to the center of attention - the bar with nearly 30 beers from Green Flash and the experimental sours and barrel aged beers of Cellar 3.  We tried a variety of the offerings which included extreme Sours, non-traditional Porters and Stouts, and superb wine barrel aged beers - my favorite was the Protege Sauvage, a White IPA aged in Chardonnay Barrels with Brett.

There is plenty of evidence of the sour fermentation and the barrel aging program in the large space behind the bar area.  I don't think that I've ever seen as many barrels in one place outside of a Kentucky distillery.

An interesting service available is transportation between Cellar 3 and the Green Flash Brewing Company about 10 miles away.

AleSmith Brewing Company (San Diego, CA) - 14 JUN 2016

There are so many options in San Diego, but AleSmith Brewing Company has a 20 + year history of outstanding beers and is certainly a go-to destination.  Particularly exciting is their new state-of-the-art brewery that opened last year.  The location - within walking distance of three other breweries: Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits, Mike Hess Brewing, and their original location which is now Mikkeller Brewing.

Entering from the parking area, you first encounter the outdoor beer garden.  Light strands add ambiance to the space and guide you toward the large entry ways - kept open with San Diego's perfect year-round weather.  When I was there a semi-permanent food truck provided excellent Mexican food that hit the spot after a night of San Diego brewery exploration.

Just inside is San Diego's largest taproom - equipped with several areas that are designed to accommodate any experience:  couches for relaxed conversation, high top tables with stools, and a stand-up bar.

The bar is particularly inviting, winding its way in front of large windows that provide views into the brewing operation.  The bar is accentuated by a neon blue light along the bottom edge.  The absence of seating at the bar creates a since of community and conversation flowed freely among everyone there.  Peaking around the corner of the bar reveals an extensive barrel aging operation

I've been to many breweries in many different places, but I think that this may be the most impressive facility I've ever seen.  It combines a state-of-the-art brewing operation with a welcoming, friendly atmosphere.