Summer Craig is starting off strong this year by bringing back five fantastic beers from California's Bay Area (and beyond) for us to fawn over and attempt to recreate those vacation vibes. We learn the backstories of these breweries and their unique approaches and cover other beer-ish topics like the follies of berry beers, aggressive bread, trad saisons, and the royal need for hop names. Also, Craig has discovered a new traveling superpower and parlor trick; Ryan has picked a winner in an East Coast vs. West Coast IPA battle; and we flip through the Sam Goody poster stand for a while. It's better than Semi-OK.

Beers Reviewed

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing [Santa Cruz] - Hello Pretty (Organic blonde ale w/ strawberries)

Wondrous Brewing Company [Emeryville] - Rote Augen (Franconian-style Rotbier)

HenHouse Brewing Company [Santa Rosa] - Saison (Saison w/ black pepper and coriander)

Fox Tale Fermentation Project [San Jose] - No Más (Gose w/ Persian lime, pink pepper leaf, and lacto-fermented honey)

Ghost Town Brewing [Oakland] - Hammer Smashed EXP 586 (IPA)