I feel like quite the dilated Demitrios after this past weekend that we spent in the Encinitas/San Diego area.
We started Friday night off right with a trip to Pizza Port Solana Beach and here were the highlights:
Port Tovarish Imperial Espresso Stout - Crap this was good stuff ! A very well done Russian Imperial Stout with incredible drinkability @ 11.00% ABV. The espresso wasn't prevalent, but rather a compliment to the brew and its creamy complexity. Damn smooth too and one of the best Russian Imperial Stouts out there. I hope this gets bottled at some point.
Port Low Tide Fresh Hop Pale Ale - This was great overall, and had one of the best finishes and aftertaste that I have ever experienced with a beer. I prefer the High Tide, but this one is a undoubtedly a contender in the fresh hop category.
Port Haruki's Rice Rocket - By far the best malt liquor I have ever tasted ! I had no idea going into this, that it was a malt liquor. Spank my ass and call me Ned !
The following were pretty solid brews overall from Port Brewing:
Stunna Shade Stout
Swami's IPA
Seaside Stout
Dawn Patrol Dark Mild
Cardiff Cream Ale
California Honey Ale
Baja Session Ale
Pizza Port also had some amazing guest brews:
New Belgium La Folie - ****in' A ! Best beer of the weekend, hands down. This one is very hard to get, and I am surprised that I found it on draft. The sour notes on this one weren't too overpowering, and complexity was displayed in its truest form. I really don't know what to say about this one, other than the cherry presence is great and is up there with Russian River's Supplication.
Alpine O'Brien's IPA - Excellent for an IPA ! Very drinkable and flavorful. I could easily see this one as a go-to session beer if it were available up my way.
Oskar Blues Ten FIDY - Oh baby !!! Talk about delicious

I nearly came after trying this. An excellent Russian Imperial Stout with nothing short of complex characteristics. Initially I got a cocoa/brown sugar punch, which that stays until the very last sip. I would throw this one with some vanilla ice cream and chocolate cake - as it is a great dessert beer ! Nothing I could drink more than a pint of, because it is so damn filling - but so freakin' good !
We lefted Pizza Port and then proceeded down to Ballast Point afterwards. Talk about a fun place, but be prepared to dish out the bucks!!! $10 for two pint glasses, and $20 for a T-Shirt? Christ !
Onto the beer....
Abandon Ship Smoked Lager - Decent for what it was. Nothing too impressive but didn't make me gag either.
10th Anniversary Rocktoberfest Lager - Pass on this one. Very unimpressed and uninspired.
Pescadero Pilsner - This one was good ! Definitely held its own after everything that I had tasted at Pizza Port.
Schooner Ale - Yummy ! This is a crisp and satisfying fresh hop Kolsch, especially for coming in at 4.5% ABV. Very nice use of the cascade hop with an overall grassy & citrus punch. I got a 1 gallon growler of this to take back to our hotel room. It poured about 8-9 pint glasses and lets say we were all happy campers
Black Marlin Porter Whiskey Barrel Aged - Hell yes ! This is what I am talking about folks. I love the regular version, but this one ups it a notch or two. The whiskey aging compliments this very drinkable porter ever so greatly. I definitely got a growler of this (64 oz) and will probably be pouring that one this Friday night with some friends that are going to drop by.
The last brew I got to sample at Ballast Point was the Big Eye IPA Dry Hopped w/Crystal on Cask. Very goddamn good and something I would drink on a regular basis if I had access to it.
For 6 tasters, a 64 oz & 1 gallon growler, and 2 fills - the bill was just over $80. Not until we got back to the room, did I realize that I was overcharged for an extra growler fill! Oh well, it wasn't really worth driving 15 minutes back down to Ballast Point to get $16 back.
We went back to Pizza Port on Saturdee to try out the pizza and to grab a few more cold ones. They make what might possibly be the best pizza I have ever had. I would go back in a heartbeat simply for the pizza alone.