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Thursday, December 31, 2009



Happy New Year! We'll be open regular hours New Years Eve and 9-7 New Years Day. I know it's been a rough week without Pliny. Not to worry, we're getting a nice size order on Tuesday. Here are some noteworthy items that came in this week:

Alpine Beer Company - Nelson - 22oz
Alpine Beer Company - Pure Hoppiness - 22oz
Lagunitas Brewing Company - Cappuccino Stout - 22oz
Beer Valley - Black Flag Hop Harvest Edition - 22oz
Grand Teton Brewing Co. - Black Cauldron - 12oz
Dogfish Head - World Wide Stout - 12oz (received one more case)
Lindemans - Peche - 330ml

Lets all Drink Less but Drink Better in the New Year!

Cheers,
Mike

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Season's Greetings. The Olive Tree will be open regular hours on Christmas Eve and open 9-4 on Christmas Day. We just received Dogfish Head World Wide Stout. 3 bottle limit please.

Cheers,
Mike

Saturday, December 19, 2009

New Items:
Allagash - Curieux - 750ml
Ballast Point - Victory at Sea - 22oz
Alpine Beer Company - Nelson - 22oz (very limited)
De Dolle - Oerbier Special Reserva 2008 - 330ml
Russian River - Pliny the Elder - 330ml - Dated 12/08/09
BrewDog/Stone - Bashah - 12oz

Friday, December 11, 2009



I've listed the Best Holiday/Winter Beers according to RateBeer.com. Happy to say we have 6
out of the 10 listed. Here they are in order:

AleSmith - YuleSmith (Winter) - IN STOCK
Hair of The Dog - Doggie Claws - IN STOCK
Three Floyds - Alpha Klaus Christmas Porter - NA
Captain Lawrence - Nor' Easter Winter Warmer - NA, but I do have last years in the cellar
Brasserie Dupont - Avec Les Bons Voeux - IN STOCK
Port Brewing - Santa's Little Helper - IN STOCK
De Dolle - Stille Nacht - NA, but should be receiving next week
Struise - Tsjeeses Reserva - NA
Gouden Carolus - Noel - IN STOCK
St. Bernardus - Christmas Ale - IN STOCK

Here's a list of the new items we received this week:

Nogne O/Jolly Pumpkin/Stone - Holiday Ale 2009 - 500ml
Avery - IPA - 12oz Six Pack
Karl Strauss - Big Barrel Double I.P.A - 22oz
Karl Srtauss - To The 9's - 22oz
Coronado - Red Devil - 22oz

Have a great weekend and Go Chargers!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Nice write up about the Olive Tree beer selection on Sandiego.com. Check the link:

http://www.sandiego.com/dining/craft-beer-holiday-gift-guide

Friday, December 4, 2009



This should keep everyone quenched. Some great beers hitting the shelf.

Russian River - Consecration (Batch 3) - 750
Big Sky - Ivan the Terrible - 750
Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head - Life and Limb - 24oz
Mikkeller - Santas Little Helper - 750
Ballast Point - Sculpin - 22oz
Avery - The Czar - 22oz
Victory - Baltic Thunder - 22oz
Hair of The Dog - Doggie Claws - 12oz
Nogne O - Winter Ale - 500ml

Cheers,
Mike

Saturday, November 28, 2009


Hope everyone had a nice Turkey Day. Since its a little nasty out, this is a perfect weekend to try some Christmas beers and winter warmers. Here's whats new on the shelf:

Lost Abbey - Gift of The Magi - 750
Goose Island - Christmas Ale - 22oz
Stone/Nogne-O/Jolly Pumpkin - Special Holiday Ale 2008 - 12oz (limited)
Russian River - Pliny The Elder - 330ml

There is also one lone bottle of Russian River Temptation sitting on the Special Release Rack.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Christmas Came Early!


Firestone Walker - 13th Anniversary - 22oz - (sold out)
Deschutes - Abyss - 22oz (sold out)
Widmer Brothers - Cherry Oak Dopplebock - 22oz
Full Sail - Old Boardhead - 22oz
Stone - Sublimely Self Righteous - 22oz
Marin - I.P.A - 22oz
Victory - Yakima Twilight - 12oz single
Cantillon - Lou Pepe 2007 - 750ml - (very low inventory)
Samuel Adams - Utopias 2009- 24oz - (might do a tasting with this)

The majority of the Firestone 13th Anniversary went to OTM Beer Club Members. In regards to limited special releases, it pays to be in the beer club. Membership fee costs are $25.00 for the year. Not only do you get first dibs on special releases, but you also receive 5% off on any beer, anytime. To become a member, you must sign up in the store.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The never ending Beer Week!



I thought I'd get a little break from beer events this week, but when you get an exclusive invitation to try the world's strongest beer, you jump at the chance. Samuel Adams is releasing Utopias this month and are holding private dinners pairing some of their great beers with specific dishes. Last night the event I attended was held at Urban Solace on 30th St in North Park. I was treated to an amazing four course meal prepared by Chef Matt Gordon. Highlight of the evening was the after dinner tasting, which included a 1994 Samuel Adams Triple Bock and the 2009 Utopias. Utopias shattered the world record for highest alcohol content with a 27% abv. Is it sherry, is it port, is it cognac, or is it beer? My palate could have been easily fooled. A great experience and a big thanks to the Samuel Adams crew and everyone at Urban Solace.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Firestone Walker XIII


My last event for Beer Week was the Firestone Walker 13th Anniversary release party at Stone Brewery. Thanks to Shane, I was lucky enough to taste a nice vertical of the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th. Amazing beers. Look for the 13th Anniversary sometime this week.

Friday, November 13, 2009





Lots of fun stuff hitting the shelves. The season is upon us.

Ballast Point - Victory at Sea - 22oz
Port Brewing - Santas Little Helper 2008 - 22oz
Nectar Ales - Black Xantus - 22oz
Jolly Pumpkin - Noel De Calabaza - 750ml
Sierra Nevada - Celebration Ale - 12oz 6 pk
Deschutes - Jubelale - 12oz 6 pk
Russian River - Pliny The Elder
Affligem - Noel 2008 - 750ml
Fantome - Noel 2008 - 750ml
Brasserie Dubuisson - Scaldis Noel - 12oz single

Monday, November 9, 2009

S.D Beer Week



Scene from the World Beat Center in Balboa Park. A great way to kick off Beer Week. Highlights for me were, Lost Abbey Sinners Blend 2009 and AleSmith Speedway Stout 2003. More amazing events throughout the week.
Digging in the beer vault for some aged Christmas Beers. Will post my list in the next couple of days.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

S.D Beer Week


Here are our new arrivals:

Alpine Beer Company - Duet - 22oz
Alpine Beer Company - Pure Hoppiness - 22oz
Anchor Steam - Christmas Ale - Magnum
Goose Island - Bourbon County Stout - 650ml
Brasserie Dupont - Avec Les Bons Voeux - 750ml
Port Brewing - Santa's Little Helper - 22oz
St. Bernardus - Christmas Ale - 750ml
Stone Brewery - Double Bastard - 22oz

San Diego Beer Week starts tomorrow. I'm going to see how many events I can attend. I should've taken the week off. Hope to see you out there.

http://sdbw.org/

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Black Tuesday Release



The most hyped beer release of the year was this past Tuesday at "The Bruery" in Placentia California. Black Tuesday has been climbing the ranks of top beers in the world on many web sites. The picture I took of the line was where I stood for over three hours. I tried to snag more than the 3 bottle limit but with the incredible turnout, I was lucky to purchase 3. There was a good vibe in the tasting room and I thought the staff did an amazing job of handling the crowd. This was their first big release so it was sort of a learning experience. I'm sure they'll alter a few things, like having a seperate line for people who want to just purchase bottles and don't want to go into the tasting room. Seems like we were waiting for people in the tasting room to finish up their samples. Thats 300 something people. My first sip of Black Tuesday and Chocolate Rain made me forget about how long I waited in line. World Class Beers. A big thanks goes out to The Bruery. Here's whats new on our shelf:

AleSmith Brewing Company - YuleSmith - 22oz
Lagunitas Brewing Company - Brown Shugga - 12oz 6 packs
Ballast Point Brewing Company - Sculpin - 22oz
Schmaltz Brewing Company - HeBrew Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah 13th Anniversary - 22oz
Lost Abbey - Carnevale 2009 - 750ml
The Bruery - 2 Turlte Doves - 750ml

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Xantus

Sorry,

Black Xantus is sold out at this time. Only a few cases made it down to S.D. We might get another wave. Stay Tuned!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Xantus


Nectar Ales Black Xantus has arrived at the Olive Tree. Very limited amount. One per person please.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Fidy Is Back!

More Beer.

Alaskan Brewing Company - 2009 Smoked Porter - 22oz
Oskar Blues - Ten Fidy - 12oz single
Russian River - Pliny The Elder - 330ml
Big Sky Brewing Company - Big Sky I.P.A - 12oz six pack

Monday, October 12, 2009

Black Tuesday


Patrick, Brewer/Owner of The Bruery, myself and Black Tuesday.

I was fortunate enough to be able to try this amazing beer last Friday at Downtown Johnny Browns. Patrick generously poured me a sample of this intense Imperial Stout. Jet black color with a dark tan head. Head stood in place long after the pour. A great nose. Oak, bourbon, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and dark fruits. Could have just inhaled this all night. The taste? My palate has been thanking me ever since. Very complex flavors going on here. Everything I said from the nose. Perfectly balanced with a sweet, smooth, warm finish. Big and sticky mouthfeel. At a whopping 19.5% abv, the alcohol is very well hidden. I'm a big Port fan. I could see myself popping one of these on Christmas Eve rather than my traditional Taylor 20 Year Old Tawney. Time to start a new tradition. At this time Black Tuesday will not hit the Olive Tree shelves. This is a brewery release only. Hope to see you there. 99 and a half out of 100.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

In This Week

Allagash Brewing Company - Odyssey - 750ml
Port Brewing Company - High Tide - 22oz
The Bruery - Hottenroth - 750ml
Flying Dog Brewery - 12oz single
Shipyard Brewing Co. - Smashed Pumpkin(Pugsley's Signature Series) 22oz
La Trappe - Isid'or - 750ml
Mikkeller - Warrior Single Hop I.P.A - 12oz

Friday, October 2, 2009

More Posts


Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I was in N.Y for two weddings. Of course, I picked up a few beers on the way. Have to say thank you to my friend Dave at Bellport Cold Beer and Soda. He really hooked me up with some amazing beers.
Here are some new items that have arrived this week:
New Belgium - Hoptober - 6pk
New Belgium - Transatlantic Kriek - 22oz
Grand Teton - Pursuit of Hoppiness - 1quart
Deschutes - Hop Trip - 22oz
Allagash - Fluxus - 750ml
Ayinger - Oktober Fest - 330ml
Mikkeller - Stateside IPA - 22oz
Spaten - Oktober Fest - 6 pk

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

New Arrivals

Ballast Point - Sculpin
Big Sky Brewing Company - Olde Bluechair
Dogfish Head - Punkin' Beer
Sierra Nevada - Estate Brewers Harvest Ale
Stone - Cali-Belgique

Friday, September 11, 2009

This Just In

Kern River Brewery - Just Outstanding I.P.A
Kern River Brewery - Isabella Blonde
Kern River Brewery - Pumpkin Ale
Kern River Brewery - Class V Stout
Stone Brewery - 09/09/09 Vertical Epic
Hofbrau - Octoberfest

Monday, September 7, 2009

New Arrivals



Hitachino Nest - Espresso Stout -11.2 fl.oz
Samuel Adams - October Fest - 12oz six pk
Ale Smith - Anvil Ale ESB - 22oz

Bootleggers Brewery - Black Phoniex - 22oz

Interesting beer, to say the least. Dark brown color with a tan head that thins out leaving tinny bubbles around the rim. Coffee and chocolate aromas on the nose. The chipotle seemed to be released as the beer warmed up. On the front, coffee and chocolate dominate as does roasted malt. The pepper presence really comes through on the finish. Half way through my glasss, the heat really seemed to intensify. I thought it had a medium mouthfeel for a stout. Nice carbonation. Love the fact that brewers are taking many risks these days. This worked and I'm looking foward to many more ventures from Bootlegger's Brewery. 85 of of 100

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Arrived This Week

The Bruery - Hottenroth Berliner Weisse 750
The Bruery - Autumn Maple 750
Fantome - Saison 750
Cantillon - Iris 2007 12oz
Cantillon - Classic Gueuze 12oz
Lagunitas - Little Sumpin' Extra! Ale
Lagunitas - Maximus 6pk
Lagunitas - Imperial Red 6pk
Russian River - Pliny The Elder - Dated 8/19/09
Sierra Nevada - Anniversary Ale 09 12oz 6pk
Deschutes - Twilight 12oz 6pk

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

B.P Sculpin

Plenty of Ballast Point Sculpin on site. This batch is fantastic.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Deschutes

All Deschutes Six Packs are now $7.99 for the rest of the month. That means:
Green Lakes
Mirror Pond
Inversion I.P.A
Black Butte
Obsidian
Deschutes Twilight should be arriving soon.

Saturday, August 8, 2009


Just had to point out how much I enjoyed my growler of Alpine Duet. I hope one day they bottle this and you'll be able to find it on our shelves. Poured a nice big fluffy head. Nice clean, clear amber color. Aromas of citrus come off. Pineapple and grapefruit dominate for me. Some pine and malt as it warmed up. Taste was just like the smell. Citrus and pine. Medium, sticky body. Left a nice lace on my Port Brewery mug. 92 out of 100.

Mikkeller - Beer Geek Breakfast 500ml
Imperial Stout - 7.50%
Denmark
I guess it's never too hot for a Imperial Stout in my house. Poured this into my Chimay glass. Dark brown with a creamy light brown head. Scents of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malts. Like the nose, coffee and chocolate on the forefront. Medium to full body. Easy drinking with the 7.5% abv. I think I could have this with pancakes. 90 out of 100.

Port Brewing Company - Panzer 22oz
Imperial Pilsner - 10%
San Marcos, U.S

Monday, July 27, 2009

Temptation


Russian River - Temptation - 750ml
American Wild Ale - 7.25%
Santa Rosa, California, U.S
The wait is over. Temptation batch 4 has finally hit my lips. Poured a shinny golden color with a sizable white head. Great aromas coming off this. Lemon is very pronounced and oak lingers. I could sense the "brett". I enjoyed just breathing this in. More tart, citrus flavors on the palate, along with french oak. Very light mouthfeel and alcohol is very well hidden. A little young right now, but should improve with age. I'll be stuffing a few away.
Stone/Brewdog/Cambridge - 12oz
Imperial Pilsner - 10%
Escondido, California, U.S

Friday, July 17, 2009


Deschutes Brewery - Black Butte XXI - 1pt.9.4fl
American Porter - 11.00%
Oregon, U.S
Wow. This is one amazing beer. Chocolate and coffee battling it out. I got more chocolate on the front end and coffee on the back. Has a nice warmth to it from the 11.00% abv. This is supposed to get better? 98 out of 100. Might kick it up 2 points in a year. Will see.

New Belgian Brewing - Biere de Mars - 1pt.9.4fl
Biere de Garde - 6.20%
Colorado, U.S

Caldera - I.P.A - 12 can
American I.P.A - 6.10%
Oregon, U.S
Nice little I.P.A in a can. I recommend pouring into a pint glass. You'll want to release those citrus flavors. Gives a great hop kick on the finish. Perfect for sipping by the pool. 85 out of 100.

De Proef - Signature Les Deux Brasseurs Ale (with Jason Perkins) 750ml
Belgian Strong Pale Ale - 8.50%
Belgian

Friday, July 10, 2009

New Beers In!


Nogne-O - Dark Horizon 2nd Edition - 500ml
Russian Imperial Stout - 17.5%
Grimstad, Norway

Nogne-O - Porter - 500ml
Porter - 7%
Grimstad, Norway

Nogne-O - Imperial Stout - 500ml
Imperial Stout - 9%
Grimstad, Norway

Mikkeller - Black Hole - 500ml
Imperial Stout - 13.1%
Copenhagen, Denmark

Jolly Pumpkin - Bam Biere - 1pt. 9.4.fl oz
Sasion/Farmhouse - 4.5%
Dexter, Michigan

Jolly Pumpkin - Bam Noire - 1pt. 9.4.fl oz
Sasion - 4.3%
Dexter, Michigan

Jolly Pumpkin - Calabaza Blanca -1pt. 9.4.fl oz
Witbier - 4.8%
Dexter, Michigan

Jolly Pumpkin - La Roja - 1pt. 9.4.fl oz
Sour Ale - 7.2%
Dexter, Michigan

Anderson Valley - Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema - 6pck
Cream Ale - 5.6%
Boonville, California

Monday, July 6, 2009


Ballast Point - Sculpin - 22oz
I.P.A - 7.00%
San Diego, U.S

Stone Brewing Company - 13th Anniversary - 22oz
Double Red - 9.5%
San Marcos, U.S

I still have a few cases of both of these beers. Might be gone by the weekend.

Friday, June 26, 2009


AleSmith - Decadence Anniversary Ale 2008 - 750ml
English Barleywine - 11.00%
San Diego, U.S

The Bruery - Papier - 750ml
Old Ale - 14.50%
Orange County, U.S

North Coast - Old Rasputin 12th Anniversary
Russian Imperial Stout - 11.2%
Fort Bragg, U.S

No notes at this time. Just wanted to bring this to everyone's attention because of the availability.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009


The Bruery - Trade Winds - 750ml
Triple - 8.10%
Orange County, U.S
Interesting take on this style. Hazy, orange color with a medium size, off white head. Nice retention along with noticeable lacing. Very aromatic. Loved just breathing this in. Yeasty bread aromas along with spices, floral notes, and basil. Flavors of yeast, citrus, thai basil, with a finish of light hops. Nice and creamy with a lively mouthfeel. Recommended. 90 out of 100.

Friday, June 19, 2009


Dogfish Head - Festina Peche - 12oz
Berliner Weissbier - 4.50%
Delaware, U.S
Really enjoying this style. I prefer the 1809, but I would never turn this down. Cloudy, pale yellow color. Getting whiffs of peach, wheat, and tartness. Nice zesty flavors of lemon and tartness of peach on the palate. A good amount of acidity. Very light and refreshing. Great for a summer afternoon.
88 out of 100. Recommended

Sierra Nevada - Kellerweis Hefeweizen - 12oz 6pks
Hefeweizen - 4.8%
Chico, U.S

Lagunitas - A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale - 12oz 6pks
American Pale Wheat Ale - 7.3%
Petaluma, California, U.S
Burned through a lot of cases of Sumpin' last week. More than I would have liked because I didn't get to try it. Well stocked this week. Will have a session with this over the weekend.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009


Lightning Brewery - Ionizer Lager - 22oz
American Malt Liquor - 8.30%
Poway, California

Avery Brewing Company - Avery Sixteen - 22oz
Saison - 8.00%
Colorado, U.S

Deschutes Brewery - Green Lakes Organic Ale - 12oz six packs
American Amber - 5%
Oregon, U.S
I've had a few organic beers in my day. Mostly samples from reps. Wouldn't go out of my way to buy organic beer, but Green Lakes from Deschutes is quite tasty. It poured a radiant orange-reddish color. Great aromas of malt and hops. Tasty flavors of toasted bread and caramel along with plenty of hops and malt. Medium body mouthfeel. Very smooth and drinkable. This isn't just a good organic beer, it's a good beer all around.
86 out of 100.

Friday, June 12, 2009

AleSmith


I love when the whole family is able to come together.

Friday, June 5, 2009

New Arrivals


Moylan's - Kilt Lifter - 22oz
Scotch Ale - 8%
Novato, California

Moylan's - Ryan Sullivan's Imperial Stout - 22oz
Russian Imperial Stout - 10%
Novato, California

Rodenbach - Grand Cru - 750ml
Flander Red Ale - 6%
Belgium
This finally made it's way back to the Olive Tree. Dark reddish amber color. Small head that dissipates quickly leaving a nice film around the outer edge of the rim. Slight vinegar on the nose along with dark cherries and some wood. On the palate, dark cherries, currents, vinegar and oak. Lovely tart finish. At 6% and bottle cost at $9.69 I could drink this all day. Welcome back Rodenbach.

Russian River - Consecration - 750ml
American Wild Ale - 10%
California, U.S
New batch marked 002x1.

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