My parents visited last month, and for my b-day dinner we went to Stone Brewery's Gardens in Escondido. We started with a flight of Stone beer, all the regular stuff most San Diegans know and love. My dad was not a fan.



But my mom liked the Levitation ale.



Heather was quite happy sipping her Belgian beer with an unpronouncable name.



Heather can't resist a pretzel on a menu, but I was feeling adventurous and started with the Beer Cheese Soup, made with Stone IPA. Next time I make brats at home, I'll try using it as my braising liquid.











For dessert, we all shared a brownie explosion.



We timed our exit so that we could slip in to the next group going on the brewery tour.



Phil MacNitt, guitar player for the E-Team, was our tour guide. He started the tour by saying how happy he is to be working at a job where it's expected that he drink beer. I just can't seem to get away from musicians, even in Escondido.





My mom, being the precise microbiologist that she is, was very interested in how they handle the yeast and conrtol the various brewing processes. Most everyone else just wanted to get through so they could get the free beer at the end. Free beer is always the sweetest, even if it is incredibly bitter.