Tasty Greens IPA from Seabright Brewery in Santa Cruz

Our seemingly continual travels took us to Santa Cruz this past weekend for a photo shoot at Seabright Beach and tattoo at Lovedog Tattoo.  Amazingly, despite our hectic schedule we were able to squeeze in a visit to the local restaurant and watering hole Seabright Brewing.  This is where I found a beer that I had to try simply because of its name. 

The Tasty Greens IPA incorporates 110 Lbs of malted rye to create a hoppy IPA.  A large portion of Delta Hops is balanced by a small amount of Honey Malt.  This IPA is dry hopped with Cascade and Calypso hops which creates a floral nose finish.  The name Tasty Greens is presumably derived from large amount of hops used in brewing this beer. 

At 7.6% ABV the hopiness is well balanced by the alcohol content and the overall result is a smooth and slightly sweet IPA that actually reminds me more of a Fat Tire Ale than a traditional American IPA.  It paired well with my fish and chips (one of many excellent offerings) and would have been even better with one of the monstrous burgers on the menu.  (Side note the two burgers we got for the kids could have fed the whole family)

The next time you are in Santa Cruz be sure to stop by Seabright Brewery and grab a bite and a brew.  Sit on the patio and enjoy the tourists, surfers and locals walking, driving and biking by.  As with anything in Santa Cruz it can get a little busy on the weekends but we had no trouble getting a table for our party of 7.  Service was good considering how crowded the place was and our waitress never once showed up without a smile on her face.   

Sierra Nevada Old Chico Crystal Wheat

On the other end of the scale from my last post is the lightest offering from Sierra Nevada Brewing.  Old Chico Crystal Wheat is supposedly only available in and around Chico, CA.  That said, my first encounter with this wonderfully drinkable libation was in Vacaville's historic district at Merchant and Main Grill & Bar about 2 years ago.  I was dining with a client when he noticed Old Chico on the menu.  As a Chico State Alumni he was excited to have found the previously "Chico only" beer near his place of business.  That incident caused me to double check many a beer menu searching for this elusive brew.  As suspected I couldn't find it anywhere for the following 18 months.

As luck would have it my day job now takes me to the Sierra Nevada Brewery on a regular basis.  After every meeting I stop by the gift shop to purchase souvenirs. So far I have picked up T-shirts, dog collars, sweatshirts, iPhone covers and of course BEER.  I was delighted to find that Old Chico is now available in both bottles and cans.  As you can tell from most of my posts I prefer draft beer but the portability of this incredible beer earns Old Chico an exception.  Finally I can float the river without having to drink PBR (with all due respect to Pabst).

I have also noticed Old Chico bottled six packs showing up in grocery stores as far south as Santa Barbara.  I asked my contacts at the brewery about the expanded distribution footprint but they declined to confirm, deny or elaborate on how the beer is wandering outside the hallowed city limits of Chico.  However it is getting out we are all lucky that it is. If you come across a six pack in your local beer aisle do yourself a favor and grab it.

Now about the beer.  Although this is a wheat beer it is perfectly clear and not at all "gritty" like some wheat beers that you may be used to.  There is no clover or floral notes and it certainly wouldn't complement a slice of lemon or orange.  Sierra Nevada states that Old Chico is the lightest beer they make.  Light is apparently a relative term because this beer has plenty of flavor and body.  This is a great beer for a day at the beach or after mowing the lawn on a hot day.  As a matter of fact I have worked up quite a thirst writing this post so I think I will go grab one myself.