From the Beer Writer: There are few local establishments, brewpub or otherwise, that feel as homey as East Village’s Half Door Brewing. Installed in a two-story house with a veranda and upstairs open-air deck, it’s the type of place that’s great for settling in and enjoying time with friends or even a little introspection as the sun sets beyond downtown’s array of skyscrapers. The Irish family-owned brewpub has plenty of Eire-style beers well-suited for such situations: a red, dry stout and even an Emerald Isle-inspired porter. But a standout—and Half Door’s best-seller for all of last year—is Father Ted Belgian Blonde Ale. Complex in both aroma and flavor, it blankets the taste buds like a patchwork of lemon rind, lemon zest, bubble gum, white pepper, and herbs de Provence. The Belgian yeast used to ferment the beer lends floral notes reminiscent of lilies and lavender. It’s a beautiful beer that’s crisp and crushable, but better for savoring sip by sip. And at 5.8% alcohol-by-volume, that pace will equate to a couple very enjoyable hours at one of San Diego’s coziest beermaking spots.
From the Brewer: “Arguably the most popular beer in our canon, Father Ted is a very approachable Belgian blonde ale. Coming in at just under 6% ABV, this beer is sessionable while offering a little something extra. As we all know, Belgian beers have those wonderful esters giving off lemon, clove and wheat flavors, but this beer is quite balanced with a light body and a crisp finsh. Father Ted rides a fine line for craft beer seekers looking for some real flavor that’s also easygoing. This brew can be enjoyed any time!”—John Schlau, Assistant Brewer, Half Door Brewing