Mission Brewery's Shipwrecked Double IPA

I saw this at Vons tonight and just couldn't pass it up.  That and the Dogfishhead 60 minute IPA.  But this I knew would be something special.  Mission Brewery seems to be blowing up right now.  Not only do they have cool labels but cool names for beer.  Some of my favorite beers have the best names, Raging Bitch, Dead Guy, and pretty much everything from Lagunitas.

Let's get to the beer though.  How smooth and non-bitter can a a double IPA be?  Try this one to find out.  The only other Double IPA better than this was a taste of Hangar 24's Double IPA out of Redlands, CA.   It's got that bitter flavor that us hop heads love but that drinkability that college kids enjoy on a nightly basis.  I will say though after a few sips it hits the pit of your stomach and you can feel its whopping 9.25% ABV. Its a good beer medium amber in color a bit hazy similar to an unfiltered beer but not quite.  If you're in the mood for something special pick this up at your nearest Vons. 

After one of these and a couple Dogfish heads I decided to put the pre-maid Bobili Dough I bought at the store to use.  Sure that I already had pizza sauce at home I didn't bother to buy any at the store.

To my chagrin I didn't and had to make it from scratch.  I must say I surprised myself and my wife for that matter.  It was great.  Sweet, tangy and spicy.  Can't tell you the recipe, I'm going to patent it.

For those avid  beer drinkers enjoy this Double IPA and for those novice beer drinkers don't be scared.  There is only one way to expand your palate.  Enjoy.

What have I been up to?

First off, for those of you that enjoyed reading my blogs sorry for taking a break.  And to those who got tired of me posting my links on facebook, well my momma always said if I don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it, so I will keep my mouth shut, to you all

I must admit we've had some great food over the last year or so.  But it's been very busy here around Ybarra Shores.  We had an amazing wedding in August 2011, went to Jamaica on an fantastic honeymoon and had some great Jerk Chicken (it wasn't a mean chicken just spicy).  Gone to Market restaurant in Del Mar where you never know what flavors are going to come out of that chicken, Eddie V's in Lo Jolla great seafood, and my new favorite though I'm biased, That Boy Good southern BBQ Joint in Oceanside (CHICKEN AND WAFFLES!!!).

I must admit I miss writing about my food adventures, especially looking back on some of my old blogs.  I will do my best to start again and clue some of you in on where to go here in SoCal when you're in town.  My food writing values will be continued: write about great, interesting food and negatives will be kept to a minimum (not worth my time to write about bad stuff).  See you soon.

Union Kitchen and Tap

Well if you didn't know about Union here you go.

A new place has opened up in Encinitas called Union Kitchen and Tap. And it's exactly what the doctor ordered. Their phone number: 760-230-BEER. Uhhhh Awesome? I went there 3 days after it opened to check it out and then again the next day for a tour of the menu. I have to say who ever designed/decorated this place did an amazing job. There are railroad tracks on the walls and a mural of a railroad union from circa 1920's. Tables that are on wheels and comfy barstools.
In the center of the bar there are probably 20 taps featured that will grab your attention. To the left of that is probably another 20 beers. Here's the kicker...ALL LOCAL! I'm not saying the only good beer is local but I am saying we have a lot of kick ass local beer. Hands down they have the biggest and best selection around. They did their research and picked some good beer. I had Black Market Brewing's Rye IPA, easy to drink and scrumptious. I also had Le Freak by Green Flash Brewing also great.

If beer isn't your thing...well...have no fear they also have Handcrafted Cocktails and Skinny Handcrafted cocktails (if your on a diet). I didn’t venture into them but I wouldn’t mind if I was in the mood to sip on a cocktail. The cocktail, beer, and wine list is all handwritten on a chalkboard very nicely I might say.

We went through almost every appetizer they had on their “Social Hour” menu (that’s fancy shmancy for Happy Hour). Started with a Sausage Platter, featuring Elk, yum. We also had a Proscuitto Flat bread. First Flatbread I’ve had that didn’t taste like Pizza. Over Easy Egg, Prociutto, Arugula and cheese. Heres how to eat it, break the yolk, let it run and enjoy. Everything tastes better with egg yolk in case you didn’t already know that. Next we had some steamed clams and mussels. This was very nice, although I wish there was more. The broth was amazing. This is where my memory starts to get foggy and my taste buds started to fade. We then had some Spiced Chips with a Blue Cheese Sauce and House made smoked Ketchup, not so good, hope they change this item or enhance the dips.

One last note, this place just opened, so if the service is lacking or the food isn’t quite perfect, give these guys a break, again they JUST opened. If you don’t think you can understand, wait a month then go.

After a few hours, a “few” beers and a few appetizers we went into the night with full stomachs and satisfied palates. Again Encinitas needed this. This place belongs in downtown SD, but was brought to North County, and for that I thank the owner. Theres nothing else like it around.  I would categorize this as a gastropub, if you don’t know what that is, you should visit Union and find out. Great Beer & Great Food. 

It's been a year...

Well ladies and gentlemen, it's been about a year since I started this blooging thing.  I've gone through spurts of all kinds: blogging every 2 days to none at all other months.  I have gone from loving to blog so much I couldn't eat a meal with out taking a picture to not even thinking of it.  And lastly I have gone from only thinking about eating to only thinking about working out.  I have gone through two waves of Diet/Work Out blogs and I have blogged about at least 4 states (CA, TX, NY, FL) in depth.  It's crazy when I think about the last year of my life.

I must say I am very happy with where I am.  I'm about to break into the 230's for the first time in half a decade.  My friends in Dallas never saw me the weight I am now.  I am at 40% of my goal and feeling great.  5 more pounds and i'll hit 50% of the goal.  It's taken some sweat and some determination and hard work, but i've lost 20 pounds, and that my friends, is a true milestone for me.  It's feasible I could hit my goal.  Not that I didn't think I would, but when you start, it just seems so far away.  I mean let's be honest, 50 lbs is no small goal.  That's almost 20% of my body weight from when I started!  So, the next 30 pounds...i'm gonna kick your ass!!!

On another note, I finally came up with my new blog name.  It encompasses me perfectly; pre-foodie Anthony and the New foodie Anthony.  It's been tough to blog though.  Not only have I been trying to lose weight and eat healtheir but Sol and I have been trying to save money for the wedding.  Do you know how hard it is to seek out amazing food with no money on a diet?  It's impossible.

I have a few blogs saved up, its just a matter of sitting down to write them.  Hope you all are well.

Day ummm....26?

Good news everybody!  It hasn't even been a full month and I'm down 15 pounds!  4 pounds since my last weigh in day and  I'm hoping to lose another 1.5 pounds by Saturday (Weigh in Day).    I'm excited to get down to the 230's.  OInce I do that I'll be on my 4th decade.  Started in the 260's, then down to the 250's, now the 240's.  Next isthe 230's???  Wholly crapola batman!

It's ridiculous to think that I could possibly be getting impatient because progress is obvious, but i must confess I am a little impatient.  Just to see the final results.  I just want to see it all now!

I'm finally starting to notice in my clothes.  I'm noticing a bit in the mirror.  It feels good, I feel good about this.  I wish I would have done this a long time ago....but no regrets, I'll appreciate it that much more this time and hopefully I can stay at my new weight once I get there.  I have to, and I need to.  I can't wait until I write my next blog from the 230's.  I'll turn the clock back to 2005 when I do that!  Here's to '05!!

Day 23: -10.5 lbs

I haven't written in a while, which I will say is a good thing.  I was writing every day at first because it helped me stay motivated.  Working out has become a routine for me.  A routine that I feel bad about if I break it.  For instance, yesterday I was deathly ill and thought I could keel over at any moment, I didn't for those of you that care, and I still felt bad about not working out.  Today I recovered and didn't go again, which I didn't feel as bad about because I still felt a bit like a train wreck.  But before that I was working out 6 days a week.  Yesterday was weigh in day and I hit the 10.5 pound mark which means I'm averaging about 3.5 pounds a week!  By this Saturday I should hit the 240's which will be a milestone I haven't seen in 4 years.  I can't tell you how good that feels.  I'm excited that I am actually doing this. 

On another note I also got a personal trainer once a week.  I don't think it's really necessary but it will help keep me motivated, and though I got a good price you can't put dollar signs on health. 

I haven't noticed a huge difference in my wieght loss, even though every time I look in the mirror I think I do, I'm pretty sure it's just mental.  But soon enough I will be at -15 pounds, then -20 and on and on.  Then i'll notice for sure.  And this time I will enjoy it. In high school I lost a bunch of weight from middle school but I was so mentally messed up in the head from being the fat kid for the 5 years previous I thought I was fat when I practically had a six pack.  So like I said, this time I will enjoy the skinny life

 The good news is I am already at 20% of my goal of 50 pounds.  At this rate in 3 months I will be at my goal weight and then I can set a new goal.  What do you think? Can I make it in 3 months?

As I said yesterday I was part of the walking dead and was super sick.  I won't get into the details.  But technically even though  I'm not counting it, I lost 4 pounds.  Not the easy way and not the fun way.  But I figure I might as well ride the wave!!!!  Do you think I can keep it up?

Food Bloggers Diet: Day 16 - Weigh In Day

Good news, I am now 8 pounds down.  2 more from last week.  I am actually really grateful just for that alone.  I know it doesn't seem like much but, i'm not sure if I told you but I cheated really bad last Saturday and gained 4 pounds back in 1 day!  So, I've been working that off all week.  I've been pretty frustrated feeling like a plateaued after only 1 week.  I've been getting up in the morning, not getting the sleep I get, which makes me cranky.  I've been depriving myself of the food I like and want, which makes me cranky.  My only saving grace is that I lost a couple of pounds this week and I'm back where I was last week.  So next week I can make a huge impact if I have a good week and get down to the 240's....Good Luck me.