Jupiter's XHP (Xtra Hopped Pale Ale)

I am still pretty much of a newbie to the East Bay but one place that I have been to a number of times and always liked is Jupiter.  They have a great list of beers that they brew themselves and a nice outside patio.
Today I tired their XHP - Xtra Hopped Pale Ale.
It was very similar to the Citra Pale Ale that I brew myself with a clean citrusy flavor.
I highly recommend it.

Jupiter

2181 Shattuck Avenue

Berkeley, CA

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Dunsmuir Brewery Works

On the way back from a backpacking trip to the Trinity Alps we stopped by and enjoyed the Dunsmuir Brewery Works restaurant.
I'd first like to say that Dunsmuir is a very charming town.  We stopped on the way up as well and found another great place for brunch.
DBW has a nice selection of beer.
We tried their IPA (4/5), Red (5/5), Stout (4/5), Barley Wine (2/5), and their Wheat beer (3/5).
That's quite good considering that I am not a fan of either barley wines or wheat beers.

Dunsmuir Brewery Works
5701 Dunsmuir Ave.
Dunsmuir, CA

Big Eye Pale Ale

Very strong flavored IPA.
I liked the taste but feel that it was probably too strong to have with a meal.
That said, I was having a grilled ahi sandwich so the label was more than appropriate.

Samuel Adams Double Agent IPL

Many in the microbrew crowd diss Samuel Adams saying that is has gotten too big to be considered a microbrew.  I disagreed simply due to fond memories of when they first came out.
Double Agent IPL has changed my thoughts a bit.
It was one of the most boring beers I've had in a long time.
It really lacked character. 
It wasn't bad, but I expected much more character from a microbrew.
Maybe the skeptics are right.

Tripify's Best Breweries

Tripify has a great list of the Best Breweries in California.
Here are placemarks for each one of them so you can remember to go there:

Pizza Port Brewing Company
571 Carlsbad Village Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92008


The Bruery
715 Dunn Way
Placentia, CA 92870


Half Moon Bay Brewery
390 Capistrano Rd.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019


Sierra Nevada
1075 E 20th St.
Chico, CA 95928


Stone Brewing Company
1999 Citracado Pkwy
Escondido, CA

Review: Linden Street's Burning Oak Black Larger

This tasted very much like a porter but with little or no hop flavor.
It was just ok.  Not very exciting but drinkable with food.

The food here was also good but not great.
The presentation was nice but the flavor was nothing special.
Chop Bar.
247 4th Street #111
Oakland, CA 94607

Review: Hof Ten Dormaal Dark

My accomplice chose a much better beer.
She chose the Hof Ten Dormaal Dark.
Well, to be more precise, the bartender recommended it when she said that she liked St. Bernardus.
Very sweet, brown sugar-like taste.

The Trappist
460 8th Street
Oakland, CA 94607