Stone Farms and Brewery Tours

 

  We went to San Diego for our family summer vacation and while we were there my Hubby and I were able to leave the kids with their Hubby's dad for a day while we went North a bit to go visit the Stone Brewery and Stone Farms.  This was super exciting for me since I have never been to a brewery before.  

Walking into the store at the brewery was very neat.  There was merchandise and a tasting bar.  The decor was amazing.  I loved the lazy feel of the store and the people.  The ambiance of the brewery was very neat.

We walked through the store and into another small area that lead to the gardens and the restaurant.  In that area there was a huge boulder that was super neat.   On the walls were plaques of newspaper articles written about the brewery.  Very interesting to read.  The path to the garden where we waited for the farm tour to leave was gorgeous.  

Our tour guide, Ken Wright, showed up and was wearing shorts and a shirt and........flip flops.  I thought that was awesome.  He was very funny too.  He was informative on both tours and added humor.  Keeping our interest and teaching us something new was his priority.  You could also tell that he loved his job.  But who wouldn't love a job where you could wear casual clothes, flip flops, and drink delicious, fresh beer?

Once on the bus for the farm tour the tour guide gave an abundance of interesting information about the farm and how Stone brewery acquired it.  After getting off at the bus at the farm the view around me was breathtaking.  The farm was backed to the mountains and they had an huge variety of plants and animals.  The produce grown on the farm is actually used at the farms restaurant.  

The first stop on the farm though was a small little shack type building where were got a special brew, Dandelion IPA.  It was absolutely delicious.  It was the first IPA I had ever had and although it had a bite to it, it was also smooth.  The IPA was served in a Stone brewery pint class that was our to keep.  

Moving on, our tour guide walked us through the farm and explained all the plants and animals.  I was amazed at the size of the plants that we saw.  There was one flower that was the size of a dinner plate!  Seriously.  It was bigger than my hand and beautiful.  I also saw summer squash that was bigger than any I had ever seen before.  They were absolutely massive.  The farm also had a picnic area where you could bring lunch and sit and eat surrounded by the beauty.  I almost....wished we had brought the kids with us because they would have loved the farm tour but we decided that they wouldn't enjoy the brewery tour.  Besides, Mommy and Daddy needed some kid-free time.  But we will have to definitely go back again and bring the kids next time.

After the farm tour we went back to the brewery for the brewery tour.  The tour started in front of a table that had a few glasses.  In the glasses was water, barley, toasted barley, hops, and a beer.  Our tour guide explained a great deal about the water filtration used as well as the function of the barley and hops.  And what kind of flavor notes each adds to the beer.  He also told us the process of making beer and how much they make each day.  

We walked through the entire brewery room which was exceptionally large.  They had huge tanks used for brewing each beer and they were huge.  We also saw large racks of oak whiskey barrels that they use to age some of their beers in.  The tour was very fun and full of information.

After the tour we got our glasses and got to taste the beers.  I have to admit though that I was already a little buzzed off the Dandelion IPA  from the farm since I had not eaten anything before going on the tours.  Silly me, especially since I am a light weight.  We were allowed unlimited samples but I only got through 2 samples before I had to call it quits.  I wanted to try them all but I was super hungry.  I know for next time to eat before I go.  

Before we left to go back to our hotel though I had to leave with some kind of souvenir.  I chose 3 different mustards.  Stone Pale Ale Stone Ground Mustard with Chipotle Peppers, Stone Cali-Belgique IPA Cali-Dijon Mustard, and Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Whole Grain Mustard awesomeness.  They were inexpensive and I couldn't wait to try them.

Back at the hotel I was making steaks for dinner and rubbed each steak with a different mustard before cooking it and then served them with the mustards as a dipping sauce.  It was so super delicious.  I was in love.....and it was with the mustard.  They all had their own flavors and each had a better flavor than any mustard I had ever bought in the grocery store.  

If you are ever in California and near enough to the Stone Brewery and Stone Farm to visit I would highly recommend it.  Children are welcome....but obviously not allowed to drink.  My Hubby and I had a wonderful time together and I look forward to visiting again next time we go to San Diego since it is not far.  Next time though I think we will bring the whole family and make it a family outing.

Brewery Tour prices:

• $3 For adults 21 and over with valid I.D.
  Includes souvenir tasting glass and four 4oz sample of amazing Stone brews, including one Special Release beer.
• $1 For youths (no charge for infants and toddlers) or adults not wishing to drink.
  Does not include glass
• $1 from each ticket will be donated to a local charity.

Jenn, Mom Of Two Munchkins was provided with a free sample of this product to review, and was under no obligation to review it.  Nor was Jenn, Mom Of Two Munchkins under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.