Happy ChristmaHanukkwanzaa

I know- i’ts a hard knock life.  Some of you are wondering why I’m not posting but I’m busy celebrating the holidays in sunny SoCal (dude, “like,” its 70 and the surf is knarly dude!), sipping on beers I had yet to try while visiting San Diego brewers like Ballast Point, Alpine (Nelson is one SERIOUSLY Awesome IPA), and Hamilton’s, the quintessential neighborhood bar.  Tried the Alpine Good Barleywine, a 17% chest warmer that starts out a little sweeter when frigid from the tap.  Hit up Lost Abbey, Breakwater Brewing Company in Oceanside (the Hibiscus Honey is too bright red and sweet like a pixie stick but the North Jetty IPA is an excellent West Coast IPA),and of course Pizza Port, both Carlsbad and Solana Beach.  Wasted a few hours down south at the Pacific Beach Ale House (tourist attraction, beers don’t suck but they aren’t that great either) and the La Jolla Brewhouse (their blonde was pretty true-tasting but the rest were like ordering your first beer at last call- nothing special but when push comes to shove).  I’m surviving, counting down the days ’til I’m scraping ice off the windshield and back at work, but don’t expect much from me until then- tulip glass in one hand and pint of something in the other.  Hoppy New Year!