A short while back I stopped at Total Wine and happened upon Backstreet Brewing’s new bottle release marketing promotion. Backstreet Brewing has just started bottling four (4) different beers (Rita Red Ale, Rydin’ Dirty Rye IPA, Emergency Room IPA, and Tomahawk Double IPA) within the last two months and these beers are being carried at Total Wine stores throughout southern California.
Backstreet Brewery was created by Lamppost Pizza as a neighborhood brewpub that is currently co-located with Lamppost Pizza restaurants in Irvine, La Quinta, and Vista. I had never been to Lamppost Pizza or Backstreet Brewing, so at the suggestion of my lovely and thoughtful wife we visited the Irvine location on Thursday, 3 April 2014 for lunch.
The brewpub and restaurant offer indoor and outdoor seating. Food and beer prices are very reasonable. It was obvious there are lots of locals that are regulars at the Irvine location – generating a “Cheers” like vibe in the bar. The brewing equipment is located directly behind the bar. This layout can result in strong aromas during certain brewing phases in the bar area. I love the aromas created by brewing but doubt that all patrons would feel the same.
The staff and Head Brewer (Eric Baum) are very friendly. Eric spent time answering a number of questions from my wife.
The bar offers Backstreet beers as well as beers from larger craft breweries such as Lagunitas. There were six (6) Backstreet beers on tap during my visit – Hep Kat American Pale Ale, Rita Red Ale, Rydin’ Dirty Rye IPA, Emergency Room IPA, Tomahawk Double IPA, and Sip ‘n Shout Imperial Stout. My tasting notes follow.
Hep Kat American Pale Ale (5.8% ABV/50 IBUs): This beer poured a clear golden color with thin white foam. Hep Kat APA had an aroma of biscuit and apricots. The beer was light-bodied with mild carbonation. Hep Kat APA tasted of biscuit and mild hay and finished with a nice lingering hops bitterness. The beer flavors were not as bright or fresh as I expected, but the overall flavor set was integrated and thirst quenching.
Rita Red Ale (6.2% ABV/25 IBUs): This beer poured a clear red-amber color with thin tan foam. Rita Red had a malt biscuit aroma and was light to medium-bodied with mild carbonation. The beer tasted of malt biscuit and apricots or similar fruit. This beer is good and will appeal to malt lovers. Rita looked to court me with her tasty charms, but my wandering eyes moved to the next glass.
Rydin’ Dirty Rye IPA (6.8% ABV/75 IBUs): This IPA with rye poured a clear copper color with a tan foam that left a nice lace. Rydin’ Dirty smelled of malt biscuit, mild grapefruit, and rye grain. The beer was medium-bodied with delightful mild, prickly carbonation. Rydin’ Dirty tasted of rye grain, malt biscuit, very mild grapefruit citrus, and mild grapefruit pith. The beer had a nice lingering bitter finish that was excellently integrated. This is a good beer that got my motor running and had me looking for adventure.
Emergency Room IPA (7.5% ABV/75 IBUs): This beer poured a clear dark gold color with white foam that left lace rings down the glass. ER IPA had a malt biscuit aroma and was medium-bodied with mild and prickly carbonation. ER IPA tasted of malt biscuit, pepper, and apricot and citrus. The flavors finish with a nicely integrated and lingering hops bitterness. This is a good IPA but not heart stopping.
Tomahawk DIPA (9.2% ABV/105 IBUs): This beer poured a hazy gold color with off-white foam that left a nice lace web. Tomahawk had a bold grapefruit aroma. The beer was full-bodied with a nice prickly carbonation. Tomahawk tasted of malt biscuit, fresh ground peppery spice. grapefruit citrus, and mild grapefruit pith. An assertive hops bitterness was integrated well and lingers in the finish. This is an excellent DIPA.
Sip ‘n Shout Imperial Stout (8.7% ABV/65 IBUs): This Imperial Stout poured a deep black color with light brown foam that left a beautiful sheet of lace. Sip ‘n Shout smelled of dark roasted malt, coffee, and dark chocolate. This beer was medium-bodied, smooth, creamy, and mild in carbonation. Sip ‘n Shout tasted of coffee, dark cacao chocolate, some mild chocolate, and mild peppery spice. The flavors were complemented by well-integrated hops bitterness. This finish consists of dark chocolate and hops bitterness. Sip ‘n Shout was my personal favorite of the day. This is an excellent beer.
Lamppost Pizza and Backstreet Brewery provide a very nice local option for pizza and beer. If you are in the area, I recommend a visit. If not, you may want to visit Total Wine and buy some bottles for your own evaluation.
