Apres Ride Report: Stone Brewing Company

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Last week my buddies Chip and Steve rode in Daley Ranch in Norther San Diego County in inferno-like heat. The ride was pretty good but the real reason we made the trip south was to go to Stone Brewing Company's new state-of-the-art facility in San Marcos.

Here's a brief report of the brewery.

First of all this place was done up right, top-notch. I am guessing it's a 20+ million dollar facility including brewery, company store, bistro and beer garden. The places is exquisitely designed and built and well wroth a visit. Not to mention the beer Stone makes is out of this world.

They also have many other guest beers on tap and available by the bottle. You won't find ANY crappy American mass produced beers here thank God!

Don't miss the brewery tour and a meal in the bistro where the food is delicious and quite eclectic. For more info visit their site:

http://www.stonebrew.com

OK here's the photos:

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Steve and I wait patiently outside the entrance. we can smell beer from here already.
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The view as you walk into the bistro.
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The taps at the bar.
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We toast surviving 107 degree heat
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Mmmm good!
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The bistro and environs from the 2nd floor.
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The view from the outside patio 2nd floor deck.
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A 3 liter bottle inset in the wall.
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Tasty!
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Steve, cruising with beer in hand can't decide what to take home.
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Decisions...decisions...
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Chip poses next to the company founders Harley done up with custom Stone paint job.
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The Brewery your starting...The creme colored tank is where the barley is boiled.
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Our "happy" tour guide who was drinking the whole time of course starts his spiel on what good beer is made from.
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Water, malted barley, hops and yeast.
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Holding tanks in the background hold 11,000+ gallons of fermeting beer per container.
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Time to pose while the tour guide chastises some tourist about how Miller is not really beer.
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The Stone Gargoyle mascot.
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The Stone bible.
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More holding tanks and the bottling line on the right.


......more to follow....

[Dino Brown]

JasonMason goes BONKERS whenever talk turns to this facility....... Now I know why!

Hey JM... if the British Kid is still in town, let's take him down there... Watta Ya' Say?

[xhuskr]

nice photos/review..........i've been planning on going there and making a weekend of it......IF the wife agrees (I have no plans of driving after going there )

[KeepsWhatHappens]

...continued....

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Our tour guide gesturing to the brew line behind us.
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11,000 gallon holding tanks.
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Part of the bottling/kegging line.
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Panorama of shipping area. All the beer on the right is either ready to ship or is in some stage of bottle conditioning.
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My personal favorite...Ruination double IPA
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This is inside the "cold room." Here they keep numerous competitors beers that they like. It's kind of like their R&D lab.

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Some wooden casks in the "cold room."
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The tour ends with a sampling of their 6 beers. Yes folks that 24 oz of beer to sample. I think we had Pale Ale, Smoked Porter, IPA, Arrogant Bastard, Oaked Arogant Bastard and then Ruination IPA in that order...lowest to highest alcohol content.

[CPATCRASH]

Sweet! I'm going on the 8th and the 11th. Great food too!

[KeepsWhatHappens]

....continued...

Her's some movies. Sorry no YouTube, I can't stand their crappy quality.

MVI_6137.MP4
Our tour guid talking about the brew line.
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Walking past the 11,000 gallon storage tanks.
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Bottling and packaging. Here our guide shows us the 11th anniversary "top secret" bottle to be released 9/10 and warns us not to post it on the internet..ooops.
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Entering the "cold room"
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Walking toward the main brew line. Note the dude on the left emptying the sacks of barley onto the conveyor belt.

That's all folks. The pictures and videos don't do it justice...I highly recommend a visit...and a designated driver!

KeepsWhatHappens

[rmb socal]

Oh man.... I love stone, its my favorite beer hands down!!!! And being here in Carlsbad doesn't hurt either! Seriously looking at the photos is making my mouth water.

[Singletrack Angel]

Shouldn't this thread be moved to "The Pub"?

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Singletrack Angel

Shouldn't this thread be moved to "The Pub"?

Done. Thanks Kristine.

I'll have to go down with you guys next run. even if we don't ride. This could be a rainy day thing in the coming months.

[OMR]

Thanks John for the excellent RR. Like Gene, I'd be down for this as well. In fact, I'm sure that we could put together an STR Newbie Ride down there... (very little riding and a lot more touring of Stone)... maybe in late OCT or early NOV.

I'm sure that STR could well represent for the brewery tour...In fact we could probably book a private tour..(hic!)

OMR

[Fired Yo Momma]

I was in beer heaven. I may end up with the shakes if I go in that place.

[bjammin]

awesome "RR". I love Stone after some north county fun!

[Singletrack Angel]

Originally Posted by OMR

Thanks John for the excellent RR. Like Gene, I'd be down for this as well. In fact, I'm sure that we could put together an STR Newbie Ride down there... (very little riding and a lot more touring of Stone)... maybe in late OCT or early NOV.

I'm sure that STR could well represent for the brewery tour...In fact we could probably book a private tour..(hic!)

OMR

Bet you'd get a BIG turnout for this one - might even surpass the O'Neill/Tijeras Creek turnout! I'll be there...

KWH took me down to Stone yesterday (no time to ride) - what a nice hubby! It's even better in person than in the pictures. It's my new favorite date destination!