The Paso Robles Beer Scene

By Matt Browne

Did you say beer scene in Paso Robles?

I sure did and I’m happy to report that we certainly do have a growing beer community on the Central Coast of California. The anchor of that community would be Firestone Walker Brewery which started back in 1996 and is located a few minutes south of downtown Paso Robles by car.

I’m not going to do the typical article in which I give you all the general facts about them because those are easily found on their website (which is awesome, btw). Instead, I will come at you from a local’s point of view.

Simply put they take their beer very seriously but have a lot of fun doing it. It shows in their tasting room and in the brewery which I got to tour. The brewery operates 24 hours a day, six days a week and the tour is a must if you stop in the tasting room (you also get a taste of the unfiltered DBA on the tour).

Other notable things when visiting the brewery is the tasting room itself - it’s has a fun and funky vibe which makes it a great place to just hang out. There’s Firestone Walker merchandise to look through, a couple of televisions to watch a game, an amazing staff of people which we all know makes or breaks a place, AND…

…THE BEER! They have a great selection and it’s always changing. During our visit they were pouring Honey Blonde, California Pale Ale, Hefeweizen, Double Barrel Ale (DBA), the unfiltered DBA, Hemp Ale, Walker’s Reserve (Robust Porter), Nectar IPA, Double Jack IPA, Velvet Merkin (Oatmeal Stout), and Velvet Merlin (Oatmeal Stout) as well.

In addition to all that liquid gold, they have a few different small pizzas or a warm pretzel to buy. A cool thing we learned is that they will be opening a restaurant right across the street from their Paso Robles tasting room, which will be a must visit!

So put the wine down for a moment, get online and check them out and then make your way to their tasting room. You won’t be disappointed!

Things you should know:

1. It’s the only brewery in the U.S. that does initial fermentation in American oak barrels.

2. It’s in the mid-size category for breweries.

3. They’ve won numerous awards over the years, most recently the 2011 GABF (Great American Beer Festival) Brewery of the Year.

4. California state alcohol laws do not allow them to fill growlers that are not from Firestone.

5. You have to wear closed toed shoes to take the brewery tour (my wife Annie couldn’t do the tour because she had flip flops on, lesson learned) and the tour lasts roughly 20 to 25 minutes.

6. The new restaurant across the street from the Paso Robles location is set to open in spring 2012

Bottoms up!

Matt is a 10-year Paso Robles area resident. He  and his wife Annie love exploring the Central Coast looking for food, drinks, and adventure.  You can follow their adventures on their blog at HootnAnnie. 

 

California Restaurant Month in Paso Robles: il Cortile Ristorante

by Tina Swithin

The Paso Robles Insider is excited to be spotlighting the Paso Robles restaurants which are participating in Restaurant Month.  I personally love to try new things and I am completely addicted to the fine cuisine coming from our local restaurants!  

Sometimes, I assume that everyone knows what Restaurant Month is.  If you aren't familiar with this fabulous event, let me be the first to fill you in: each participating restaurant will be offering a special menu -- three courses for $30.  You can take advantage of this amazing special during the entire month of January. 

Today, we are featuring il Cortile Ristorante.  Their website says it all, "Join us to enjoy our seasonal menus created with the freshest ingredients available sourced by our surrounding local and regional landscapes by Executive Chef Santos MacDonal, providing a melody of exceptional homemade pastas, fresh seafood, top quality meats and antipasti.  A top destination for exquisite wines, picturesque landscapes and beautiful weather, Paso Robles provides the perfect pairing for IL Cortile’s rustic Italian fine dining".

il Cortile Ristorante                                                                                                                        608 12th Street, Paso Robles
805-226-0300

Three Course Prix Fixe Menu (Available Monday-Thursday)

Please note: Menu is subject to change- please call il Cortile for updates on the availability of the items below.

• Appetizer – Choose one

Minestone Soup
Insalata Mista
Mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette

• Entrée – Choose one

Spaghetti di mare
Spaghetti with mixed seafood
Tagliata di maiale
Roasted pork loin, sliced in a sweet wine reduction

• Dessert – Choose one

Torta di ricotta
Panna cotta

Additional Items to Note:

• $30 per person (tax, gratuity and beverages additional).
• No substitutions.
• Pair 2 courses with Vina Robles wine for $15.00: Vina Robles White 4 or Vina Robles Red 4.
• $20 corkage/ Two bottles limit please.
• For parties of 8 or more, an 18% gratuity will be added.

Tina Swithin is the PR Coordinator and Blog Manager for TravelPaso.com where she writes Pairings in Paso and other blog-a-licious Paso Robles articles.  Follow the Paso Robles Insider to get the inside scoop on all the haps in Paso Robles Wine Country.

California Restaurant Month in Paso Robles: Thomas Hill Organics

by Tina Swithin 

At the Paso Robles Insider, we are excited to be spotlighting the fabulous Paso Robles' restaurants which are participating in Restaurant Month. 

In a recent article by Paul Hodgins of the OC Register titled, "Central Coast Wine Industry Spurs Gourmet Food Movement", Thomas Hill Organics was featured for their efforts and reputation in supporting this movement.  As journalist Paul Hodgins eloquently stated, "wherever wine flourishes, great cuisine follows".  I must agree.  Paso Robles is the place to be for great wine and food.    

Restaurant Month provides locals and visitors the opportunity to try new restaurants and experiment with new dishes.  You are provided a special menu and you receive will receive three courses for only $30.   What a deal that is! 

I spoke to Debbie Thomas, owner of Thomas Hill Organics who summed it up, "Restaurant month gives our customers a chance to enjoy a very affordable but enjoyable evening out.  We have chosen to showcase our Beef Shortrib Daube.  Daube is a dish made with beef, red wine and vegetables all slowly braised for several hours in our wood burning oven.  Very tender, very flavorful and it has been quite a hit this past week!"

Head down to Thomas Hill Organics Market Bistro & Wine Bar tonight and enjoy one of Paso Robles finest restaurants. 

Thomas Hill Organics Market Bistro & Wine Bar
1305 Park Street, Paso Robles
805-226-5888

Additional Items to Note:

• $30 per person (tax, gratuity and beverages additional).
• No substitutions.
• $15 corkage fee.
• 18% gratuity added to parties of 6 or more.
• Menu changes mid-month- please click here for new menu.

Tina Swithin is the PR Coordinator and Blog Manager for TravelPaso.com where she writes Pairings in Paso and other blog-a-licious Paso Robles articles.  Follow the Paso Robles Insider to get the inside scoop on all the haps in Paso Robles Wine Country.

California Restaurant Month in Paso Robles: Enoteca Restaurant & Lounge

by Tina Swithin

As I previously mentioned, it's Restaurant Month in California!  You probably already knew this based on the amazing aromas coming from local restaurants and the happy people walking around Paso Robles.  Indulge to your heart's desire on the best local cuisine in Paso without breaking the bank.  It's a win-win situation for everyone.   

Each week, we will be spotlighting  a Paso Robles restaurant participating in Restaurant Month.  In case you are asking, "What is Restaurant Month?" here are the details: Each participating restaurant will be offering a special menu -- three courses for $30.  Yes, you read that right: three courses for only $30 at Paso's top restaurants! 

Our second featured Paso Robles restaurant is Enoteca Restaurant & Lounge which is located in the luxurious La Bellasera Hotel & Suites. 

Toast of Paso: Great wine…great food…great music

 by Patty Thayer

“Music is the wine which inspires one to new generative processes.” – Ludwig van Beethoven

Chamber Music Concerts, featuring small groups of classical musicians, has been likened to “an intimate conversation between friends.” And it’s true.

A couple of hundred years ago, when Mozart and Beethoven were composing and performing, chamber music was primarily performed by amateur musicians in private homes (and palaces!) for their own pleasure.

 Even today, when most chamber music performances have moved to the concert hall, and entire festivals are dedicated to the art form, there are still many musicians who simply gather together to play for their own enjoyment. Fortunately for us, members of the San Luis Obispo Symphony are inviting a somewhat larger audience to share their “musical conversation” here in Paso Robles.

California Restaurant Month in Paso Robles: Artisan

 by Tina Swithin

It is my favorite time of year: January.  This is one entire month of gourmet indulgence -- a chance to try those fabulous restaurants which have been on your to-do list and an opportunity to visit your absolute favorites.  Each week, we will spotlight restaurants in Paso Robles who are participating in Restaurant Month. 

What is Restaurant Month you might be asking?  Each participating restaurant will be offering a special menu -- three courses for just $30!

Pairings in Paso: Venteux Vineyards and Spicy Chipotle Syrah Jam

by Tina Swithin

I refuse to brag about the fact that it was 68 degrees today in Paso Robles (it's January!).  Maybe I am bragging just a bit but honestly, can you blame me?  What is one to do when faced with spectacular weather in the dead of winter?  I know what I do: wine tasting, of course!  I took a jaunt down the road to Templeton because I've been wanting to try out a few wineries that are new to me.    

Symphony of the Vines - Bach at Old Mission San Miguel

By Sasha Irving, Studios on the Park

The Symphony of the Vines is a professional chamber orchestra based in beautiful, vineyard-rich northern San Luis Obispo County.  The mission of Symphony of the Vines is to engage and enrich the audience with music and artistry of the highest caliber.  Their passion for performance draws the listener into the music creating a powerful and profound concert experience.Founding the Symphony of the Vines in 2010 was the fulfillment of Dr. Gregory Magie’s lifelong dream to be the music director of an orchestra. Dr. Magie made his conducting debut with the Redlands Symphony in 1995, and was later appointed Associate Conductor. He has conducted the Rochester Philharmonic, Port Angeles Symphony, Pasadena Lyric Opera, and orchestras at Houghton College, San Francisco State University and Pomona College. He has conducted opera productions with the Pasadena Lyric Opera, UCLA, Houghton College and San Francisco State University.

The Top Paso Robles Wines

by Coy Barnes

Top Paso Robles Wines of 2012

Each year, the Paso Robles Wine Club has the challenge of picking 45 of the best wines of Paso Robles to release in three installments throughout the year.

Because of our long-standing relationships and intimate knowledge of the region, most of Paso's nearly 300 wineries have been highlighted at one time or another in the Paso Robles Wine Club and our “Best of” series has become the local’s and client’s favorite resource for choosing Paso Robles wines throughout the year.

The method to our "Best of" madness:
We spend an enormous amount of time picking and choosing wines that best represent our region.  We spend the entire year choosing our wines and select a representation of the diversity of the list 3 times per year. The exact process goes like this: Wineries submit wines for review;  we hand pick wineries to visit and we make extensive notes when tasting and barrel sampling; then we get recommendations from other wine industry professionals and our tour customers.

Each selection is evaluated based on:  1) quality – it must be a great wine; 2) diversity – Paso Robles is made of many micro-climates, soil types, and vineyard management styles; 3) winery size – from the smallest commercial production of 50 cases (many of these do not have tasting rooms) to the largest of 1 million plus; 4) varietal – 50 to choose from plus blends; 5) price point – it can’t break the bank; and 6) uniqueness. We also take into account if a wine is light vs. big and bold and fruity vs. tannic. 

Since Paso Robles has more than 50 different wine grapes planted that contribute to single varietal bottlings along with blends of as little as two varietals to as many as 11 varietals (which we call mega blends), the vetting process goes on all year long. We usually drink 200-300 wines for each shipment decision (and yes, people usually want our job!).

2011 Winners:
The following wineries were included last year’s list and shipments:

B&E Vineyards Berardo Brady Vineyards Bridlewood Carina Cellars Chateau Lettau Clavo Cellars Clesi Wines Cross Lynn Daou Del Real Dover Canyon Dunning Vineyards Falcone J. Lohr Meridian Vineyards Mitchella Outcast Wines

Parrish Family Vineyard Paso Port Penman Springs Vineyard Proulx Wine Rockin R Winery Sculpterra Shale Oak Sharps Hill Stanger Vineyards St. Hilaire Tablas Creek Venteux Vineyards Veris, Ben Hogan Villa Creek Volatus Westberg Wild Horse Zenaida Cellars

Now, the question is… which wineries wines will be the top picks for 2012?   Stay tuned to find out!

Coy Barnes is the owner of the Paso Robles Wine Club, a wine club that sends an assortment of Paso Robles wines; and The Wine Wrangler, Paso Robles’ longest running wine tour service. Both businesses are located at the Paso Robles Train Station.

Niner Wine Estates Cooking Classes and the New Year

by Tina Swithin

Typically, I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions.  There is something about the whole thing that makes me a bit uneasy.  You see, I don’t like making promises if I’m not 100% sure that I can fulfill them.  Therefore, I would prefer to call them "Tina’s New Year’s Aspirations".  I aspire to continue in my newly found passion for cooking and I aspire to learn more about deglazing, emulsifying and all of those other great foodie terms.  Did you know that “nap” doesn’t have to do with that quick, lifesaving period of time where you shut the world out for 20 minutes?  Nap actually means “to completely coat food with a light, thin, even layer of sauce”.  I’ve got a lot to learn!   

With that said, I was excited to learn that Niner Wine Estates has a series of cooking classes that are right up my alley.  There are a total of three upcoming events scheduled which really piqued my curiosity: