On my flight at the Brewpub on 18th March 2014. A Belgian style Abbey Dubbel, my kind of beer then! Came a misty brown with red notes, the head a lasting tanned cap. The nose was mostly of malt origin, toasted, roasted and mixed with coffee grounds, maybe a hint of yeastiness. The taste follows the smell pretty well, with the malts being the dominant factor. Not as sweet as the real Belgian brews can sometimes be, but this was fine and a surprise to find (to me anyway) in San Diego.

A Red Ale according to the chalkboard behind the bar in the Brewpub and tasty according to the barman. I ask for one on my flight and it is duly poured for me. It was a clear dark amber colour with an off-white head. Malty nose with some caramel and milk chocolate notes: slight citrus hop hints too. The taste was more robust with a dark chocolate, caramel flavor, might even have found liquorice flavours also. Malty from start to finish, an idea foil to the Bonobos which sat next to it on the flight.

On my flight of beers at the brewpub on 18th March 2014. Light haze to the pale but deep old gold coloured brew, not much of a head, but plenty of nose! Citrusy hop front with a mini-floral hint or two: no maltiness in the smell or taste, this is for hop minded people. OK and a nice balance to the three other house brews I had along side it.

Keg at Monkey Paw brewpub, SD, 21/04/14. Dark chesnut brown with a moderate beige swirl and edgework. Nose is toffee, yeast esters, bubblegum, light spice, boozey tones. Taste comprises dark fruit rinds, spice, Belgian yeast esters, candied sugars, toffee fudge. Medium + bodied, fine carbonation, drying close with a little boozey gillet. Ok stuff.

Keg at Monkey Paw brewpub, SD, 21/04/14. Murky amber with a moderate light beige covering that dissipates further to a swirl and edgework. Nose is light smoke, touch of coffee, dark toffee, spice, smoked malt. Taste comprises yeast esters, spice, dark toffee, sweet licks, toffee fudge, hint of coffee once more. Medium + body, fine carbonation, semi drying close with sweet boozey licks. Ok strong bock, more bock than smoked for me.

Keg at Monkey Paw, SD, 21/04/14. Clear golden with a moderate light beige covering that retains well. Nose is smoked malts, toffee, brown bread, light camp fire. Taste comprises a big smoked malt presence tempered with sweet caramel, smoked bacon, toffee fudge, BBQ pit bits. Medium bodied, fine carbonation, light drying close with a smokers jacket. Solid smoked offering, one of the best in fact !

Keg at Monkey Paw brewpub SD, 21/04/14. Clear reddish amber with a moderate light beige covering that retains well. Nose is red grapefruit, light spice, caramel malt, orange squash, hoppy resonance. Taste comprises bubblegum, rye twang, caramelised sugar, red grapefruit, light spice, herbal notes, bitter orange, caramel. Medium bodied, fine carbonation, semi drying close with hop bitterness evident. Ok stuff.

Keg at Monkey Paw, SD, 21/04/14. Rich hazy orange amber with a moderate light beige head that retains well. Nose is caramel, dark fruit rinds, vanilla, light spice, boozey waftings. Taste comprises fruit loaf, dark toffee fudge, vanilla, dates, light spice, more depth than the aroma. Full bodied, fine carbonation, sweet licks and light booze in the close. Decent enough barley wine but not top draw.

Keg at Monkey Paw, SD, 21/04/14. Hazed orange amber with a moderate off white covering. Nose is toasted malt, bitter orange, straw, light citric peel,caramel, bread dough. Taste comprises orange pith,straw, light hops, touch of grapefruit. Medium bodied, fine carbonation, semi drying close. So so APA lacks hop presence.

Keg at Monkey Paw brewpub, SD, 21/04/14. Light black with a moderate tan covering that retains well. Nose is light roast, toffee, minerals, light cardboard, earthy cocoa. Taste comprises much the same as the aroma. Medium bodied, fine carbonation, drying finale. Ok dry stout.