NOTE: I already reviewed this beer. Evidently I forgot about how much I liked it, and I didn’t realize I wrote the previous post until I had written it.Frosty talks a lot about the craft-brew scene in San Diego a lot. Being from Portland, I always kind of roll my eyes and say something about being from the birthplace of microbrews. Of course, I know that micro/craft brewing is something that kind of popped up nationwide (if not worldwide) at the same time in many places. I just say that kinda crap because I know Frosty will react in the special way he does. It does something for me, if you know what I mean.

Anywhoo, I was at my local New Seasons and spied an Imperial India Pale Ale (or 2PA for those in the biz). I love IPA, and 2PA is many times even better. However, sometimes people over do it and it turns out to be cheek-smash-palooza. Rogue has a nice one and it is one of my favorites. Green Flash has done it right with their 2PA.The hop flavor is delicious. If you have ever rubbed hops between your hands to smell the aroma, the experience is captured here. It makes you pause for a moment to take a whiff of it before taking a sip. Not long after, you find yourself wanting to take another whiff and sip too.

For an ale to inspire this lager-esque reaction is rare. Bright hoppy flavor but not too snappy. I like it!

I went to Santa Maria, California for my Mom’s 60th birthday. It was a short trip but a memorable one. I spent an entire week visiting with friends and family and playing a variety games with the general theme of “get the thing closest to the hole.” Golf, horseshoes, and cornhole. My favorite, Cornhole or for the more sensitive, “the bean bag game.” Basically, its horseshoes with bean bags. Whatever, its awesome. Nobody liked my idea to yell, “CORNHOLE” every time someone got a beanbag in the hole.

Anywhoo, the only downside to the trip was that pretty much everyone down there drinks Coors Lite. Another downside is that I had to come home early while the family stayed to enjoy the beauty which is Santa Barbara County. Of course, when we have lemons we make lemonade.

I went up to New Seasons, got myself a New York steak, some Walla Walla sweet onions, red potatoes, baby greens, and a pint of Green Flash Brewing Co., Imperial India Pale Ale. Then I came home and made myself one of the best meals I’ve ever had. I caramelized the onions according to a variation of Frosty’s recipe (olive oil, chipotle pomegranate sauce), grilled the potatoes and the steak to perfection. The result was amazing.

The beer was a perfect compliment. Although super-hoppy, I didn’t get the expected bite. It was surprisingly smooth and packed a punch. The coolest thing was that after the bees chased me inside, I turned on the television to watch Reno 911 (the movie) and found nothing other than the end of RED DAWN. Hell yeah. Watched Charlie Sheen and Patrick Swayze die and then laughed my ass off with Reno 911.