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Brandon Hernández

Brandon Hernández is a Reader contributor. See staff page for published articles.

Profile Activity Comments Votes

Beer of the Week: The Lost Abbey Duck Duck Gooze

It was an early sample batch, but the carbonation on the finished product should be consistent with the style.
— August 7, 2013 2:11 p.m.

Local Habit & Vagabond selling, Brabant coming

While the fundamentals are the same, it's been my experience that most American takes on Belgian beers come in tasting notably different. Not worse, but it's hard to match the grassiness of a saison produced in a succinct region of Belgium or get the sharp, bitiness of tripel crafted in the style's birthplace. Personally, I like the ranginess of the many American iterations. While they fall a tad short of the archetypal Belgian beers, they usually bring on new flavor nuances that, in some cases, are preferable or more interesting. That said, some companies do a very good job in this department. The Lost Abbey's Carnevale and Saison Blanc are tremendous takes on the farmhouse ale style and their Duck Duck Gooze, Red Poppy Ale, and other sours are excellent. Green Flash's Flanders Drive Flanders-style sour ale, while more bracing than those from Belgium, is delicious. Ditto their Saison Diego. It's a matter of sampling a lot of Belgian beers then making the decision to find the closest American version or simply go for brews made in the Belgian style that you like regardless of how to spec they are. Belgium exports enough beer to the US, so I tend to go for American versions and celebrate their diversity rather than pick at their divergence. Cheers!
— July 23, 2013 1:22 p.m.

None

Prejudiced or not, I really appreciate the kind words. Excited to see Hess Brewing North Park open. Lots of smart ideas being realized soon!
— July 3, 2013 9:54 a.m.

AleSmith bottling beers new and old

Thanks TheBigB, but I merely said they'd be bottling it. Your comment ends with the statement it will be in bottles. So, I believe that's correct. I never mentioned how they'd be distributing it, only that it'll be in bottles. Cheers.
— June 17, 2013 10:20 p.m.

None

Thanks for weighing in. Certainly entitled to your opinion and I appreciate you sharing it. Just to clarify, I didn't say it was a memorable, incredible, before-you-die-you-must-drink beer. Merely said it was a good local example of this style, which it is. Out of curiosity, what San Diego-made kölsches (plural) do you think are better?
— June 2, 2013 11:14 a.m.

None

They had some debut events and their beer was on at places like Hamilton's Tavern and Urge Gastropub. They were also on at the CBC tasting room, but they didn't make it into bottles. Just kegs.
— April 24, 2013 9:37 a.m.

Green Flash puts trucks to work

Hey Ian. I agree this is a good idea on Green Flash's part, but just about every brewery is doing this these days. Tasting rooms that DON'T team up with food trucks are the rarity. It's been this way for quite some time now.
— April 16, 2013 1:33 p.m.

None

Got me on that one. I sure wouldn't MIND an extra day. Cheers!
— April 16, 2013 1:31 p.m.

Eureka! I've found a Grade F veggie burger!

This would be a valid comment if I had expected it to taste anything like meat, but I didn't. Never do and don't hold veggie patties to that unrealistic standard.
— March 12, 2013 9:55 a.m.

Taking salt and pepper off The Counter

I do like sprouts on their own and when used appropriately. What I didn't enjoy was this combination. Also, this is but one item I took exception with. The blandness of the burger was the primary issue. Lastly, I take no pleasure in writing a negative review and in no way meant to "get 'em" or for this to be a "burn." Hence my inclusion of the good things to be had at The Counter. Service was excellent, pickles were good, beer selection was nice. Sprouts on the burger sucked. These are truths. Deal.
— March 9, 2013 1:42 p.m.

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Chris Ahrens Ian Anderson Thomas K. Arnold Eric Bartl Don Bauder Ed Bedford Siobhan Braun Robert Bush Chad Deal Joe Deegan Barbarella Fokos Leorah Gavidor Dave Good Marty Graham Moss Gropen Andrew Hamlin Dorian Hargrove Garrett Harris Ken Harrison Patrick Henderson Tam Hoang Eve Kelly Dryw Keltz Eva Knott Thomas Larson Ken Leighton Matthew Lickona Mike Madriaga Bill Manson Scott Marks Bob McPhail Walter Mencken Joseph O'Brien Sheila Pell Ian Pike Matt Potter H.G. Reza Dave Rice Elizabeth Salaam Jay Allen Sanford Julie Stalmer DJ Stevens Matthew Suárez Amanda Tascher
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