About a week before our Bottle Logic 2pint2sday ride, we received a direct message on Instagram. It was an invitation to change our 2pint2sday to a new local brewery that’s usually closed on Tuesdays. We’re usually champing at the bit to get breweries/pubs/etc. to either open their doors for us on any random Tuesday or to at least extend their regular hours to include Tuesday. We’re on a regular rotation when it comes to visits North Orange County breweries, bars, restaurants or even trendy eateries with a great tap list. Finally, (FINALLY!) one of these breweries contacted us and offered to open on a Tuesday for a 2pint2sday. The offer was humbling and exciting at the same time. We instantly changed plans from 2pint2sday at Bottle Logic Brewery to The Good Beer Company, called up some good folks to ride to Downtown Santa Ana. Not your typical ride either, we were supposed to meet Brandon Fender the owner/brewer of The Good Beer Company along with another small group of 2pint2sday-ers in Old Town Orange and ride the rest of the way to DTSA. Things didn’t quite work out the way we had planned but luckily a few people were able to meet Brandon and ride with him to The Good Beer Company.
By the time the rest of the group arrived, Brendan and Matt were deep into their first pints. All the second group could say to Brandon was, “Sorry, man!” We were deeply disappointed the entire group wasn’t able to ride with him to The Good Beer Company’s first but hopefully not last 2pint2sday. How often do you get offered to ride with the owner/brewer of a brewery that is opening in part for your event? Not very.
Let’s get to the beer. The big hit of the night for everyone was the Breki Stout a 7.5% rich, toasty and roasted drink of GOODness (see what we did there?). An FGBC favorite is anything with RYE in it’s name, so naturally RYE Grande and West End RYE IPA were also excellent choices. Surprisingly a growler of East End IPA – a solid IPA – was the solo take-home of the night. There was chatter amongst the group about the Saison Tres, The Good Beer Co’s 6.0% Dark Farmhouse Ale. Our Saison lover for this speacial 2pint2sday couldn’t stop talking about it. Brandon and his wife graciously let us hang out until about 10:00 PM which was beyond hospitalble seeing as: 1) they aren’t open on Tuesday’s 2) their normal closing time (not including Tuesday) is 9:00pm. Another tip of the 5 panel cap to Good Beer Co!
Before the invite from The Good Beer Company, we already knew they had great beer but after meeting Brandon and his wife it’s great to know that two authentic people are behind the success of this Orange County Brewery. It’s also a great feeling when another cyclist/beer enthusiast/home brewer/good dude decided to reach out to us and offer to do something like host a 2pint2sday – athis brewery. We try to support all Orange County breweries and don’t always get the same love in return. Well, on January 27th in Downtown Santa Ana, The Good Beer Company gave back to it’s fans for one successful night ride. Thanks for that!
Cheers!
FGBC
Fixed Gear Beer Crew Archives 