Final Night in Orange County

After a long day at the office, it was time to make another stop by Selma’s Tap Room. I was running out of days in Orange County and lamenting that I only able to peek in the windows at Cismontane Brewing in Rancho Santa Margarita; I would be getting on a plane about the time the tasting room would be opening the next day. What better way to sooth my wounds but with a pint at my (adopted) local?

Parking in front of the television with the Habs-Caps Game 7 nearing its final minutes, I spied a new handle or two behind the bar. My bartender, gracious as always, offered tastes of the Stone Imperial Russian Stout and Selma’s own Hefeweizen. The hefe is brewed by Firestone Walker exclusively for The Tap Room and it went down citrusy and smooth, but a little too sweet for my tastes and while the Stone never disappoints, I was in the mood for something Belgian. Ommegang’s Three Philosopher’s presented itself as a fine choice.

Poured into a tulip glass, the beer was deep reddish brown that retained just a small collar of suds when the head dissipated. Caramel and candy sugar sweetness mingle with red berries, banana, spices and bread that waft up through my nose before I take my first taste which adds luscious chocolate with the slightest hints of clove and peppercorn before fading to malt and cherry lingering on the tongue. The alcohol is noticeable but never approaches over-powering. An amazing blend of a malty quadrupel and a cherry lambic from the consistently delicious Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, New York, Three Philosophers gives a quaffer much to contemplate and praise.

Thirsty Zymurgist Score: 47/50 (9.8% ABV)

As I was finishing that delicious brew, a couple of gentlemen sat near me at the bar. One of them ordered a Three Philosopher’s as well and I applauded him on his good taste. A conversation ensued that slowly revealed that we shared an intense passion for all things beer. Then my compatriot introduced himself as Evan from Cismontane Brewing. We continued to discuss beer in slightly more technical terms and before I left to meet up with my sister and her family, Evan told me to let him know next time I am in California and maybe I can get a short tour of their facilities. All things considered, it proved to be a fortuitous final night in the O.C. for this zymurgist-in-training and I look forward to my return in June.