Beer scientist CJ explores the infinite universe of hops and homebrewing.
CJ lives in San Francisco, but can usually be found in Ocean Beach surfing, or feasting on pork and oysters.
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July 15, 2011
Tap This: Central American Beer
I’ve traveled around most Central American countries over the past few years on surf trips and have tried pretty much all the local beers in each country I’ve visited. Right now I am in Panama and the beers here, like in other Central American countries, are all the same American-style pale light lagers. I have […]
February 25, 2011
Tap This: Beer Recipe Writing Improv
If you are getting tired of using beer kits or following other peoples recipes and are ready to start creating your own beers, this post is for you. When I first moved out to San Francisco I started putting Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in my keggerator on a regular basis. I was impressed by how […]
February 11, 2011
Tap This: Strong Beer Month 2011 – The Best of Beers (SF)
As you might expect after seeing my last post on Strong Beer Month, I went on quite a bender last week and tried out all six strong beers at Magnolia and five out of six at 21st Amendment. Last night, I had the final hole punched (the Lord and Master, from 21st Amendment) in my Strong Beer […]
February 1, 2011
Tap This: Strong Beer Month 2011 (SF)
February is upon us, and for those of us in the Bay Area it brings Strong Beer! If you have not heard, February is Strong Beer Month in San Francisco, a time when two of the local microbreweries Magnolia and 21st Amendment each feature six strong beers (all over 8% ABV). When you drink all […]
January 7, 2011
Tap This: 2010 Top Beers (And Then Some)
2010 was an excellent year for beer! Here are my top five beer experiences of the year. Avec Les Bons Voeux (Brasserie Dupont) Avec Les Bons is French for, “With best wishes.” This beer is a Saison (or Farmhouse Ale), but brewed for consumption in the winter, rather than spring when Saisons are typically enjoyed. […]
December 31, 2010
Tap This: Shmaltz Jewbelation
Just a day after my Holiday Beer post I came across another great holiday beer at City Beer. This one is actually a Chanukah beer! Jewbelation by Shmaltz Brewing Company is an American Strong Ale. Smaltz brewed eight different recipes for the eight days of Chanukah. I was lucky enough to try out Jewbelation 11 […]
December 17, 2010
Tap This: Holiday Brews
Ahhh the holidays! For me the time between Thanksgiving and New Years is always a huge rush. There’s always year end stuff to wrap up for work, on top of all the shopping and traveling. It can really burn you out. But every year I do look forward to taking a break and bellying up […]
November 23, 2010
Tap This: Beer for Turkey Day
Most people show up with a bottle of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir to Thanksgiving. Snore. Bring something a little different and break out a few nice beers! In fact, I have read that pilgrims drank beer, not wine, at the very first Thanksgiving. A brewery was one of the first things they set up when settlers […]
November 19, 2010
Tap This: Maui Brewing Company
I was lucky to be in Maui this past Labor Day weekend for a good friend’s wedding. When I got there I checked out the beers in the market and noticed a few from the locally brewed Maui Brewing Company. Since I had a few extra days I decided to check the place out. The […]