Drake's Brewing Company

They're OK. I like their Hopocalypse.

 

Drake's makes some decent brews. Had Aroma Coma for the first time a couple weeks back and was pretty blown away, though. An awesome IPA. Had it a couple more times since and have two more bombers in the fridge downstairs. Cheers!

 

I play, love drakes. Aroma coma is tasty tasty. Zinfully drakonic is mouth watering delish

 

Drake's Pale is the best Pale Ale I've had...so far.

 

They made one of my altime favorite sours. Their black label hopacolypse is my favorite triple ipa, I'd say they are better than alright

Their barrel aged beers they rotate at their tap room are usually fantastic too and never get a whole lot of claim on here.

 

Photo from tonight's drakes night. Casks of aroma coma with prieta hops, and arms prieta with coma hops. Bangarang Peter.

 

1500 is an excellent Pale Ale, and their seasonal offerings are usually quite enjoyable. The barrel program at Drake's is often hit or miss, however, depending on what characterstic you enjoy from the wood...

 

Yearly releases are okay. Seasonals are alot better. Hopocalypse and Degongonizer and Aroma Coma/Prieta are really good.

 

You definitely have to try 1500 Pale Ale. I think it's the best pale ale out there. I also really enjoy Alpha Session, Aroma Coma and Hopocalypse.

 

Their wine barrel stuff is all on point but I haven't been too impressed with their spirit aged stuff.

 

They're pretty unpredictable in quality. I like their IPAs but their barrel-aged stuff can be hilariously bad.

 

1500 is incredibly underrated

 

Definitely go to one of their First Friday parties at the barrelhouse or just go anytime, they always have new barrel aged stuff/experimental blends on tap and the wine barrel aged stuff is usually pretty damn good. Quaid's Dream was one of the best sour stouts I've had.

 

Aroma Coma is top notch but hell if I'm paying $7.99 for a bomber. 1500 pale is great but I think the regular IPA is not as good as it once was. My every day IPA's are Lagunitas and Anderson Valley.

 

It's one of your highest-rated beers, yet you still won't pay for it? With that mentality, you won't be buying much in the way of craft beer in the coming years.

 

yes! so much this. I went there last year and they had this and Total Recall and 1500 dry hopped with Zythos. I was in heaven

 

Guess you won't be buying too many bombers of anything these days then....

Bottom line is Drake's rocks, as does Lagunitas. 1500 is amazing and you can often find it for around 8 bucks a sixer. Alpha Session is the absolute best sessionable pale on the market, but I don't get the 4-pk packaging or the initial bomber packaging. Seems a no-brainer that it would come as a six-pack given it's purpose.

 

Went to the Barrel House for the first time the other day n would highly recommend checkn'm out. I was neglagent about trying the Zinfully Drakonic (even though I love Zin's n Stouts, usually not together) but the lady behind the bar was generous enough to pour a sample. That was the most balanced and delicious sour stout I had ever had. I really liked the One Hit Warrant as well! I give much respect to their barrel program n if I lived closer would be a healthy regular there. So next time you're flying to the bay area fly into Oakland instead of SFO n check these guys out. Not much to do in the neighborhood, but a cool crowd n friendly staff will bring me back for another visit.
Oh n they kill it with their IPA's. Denog, Hopocolypse, The Coma, and as many others said the classic PA 1500. So good, reminds me of FFF Pride n Joy a bunch.

 

Kinetic in Lancaster, CA has a former Drakes brewery Alex now... Pumping out very good stuff in the Antelope Valley!