Barley Forge Beer: Where To Buy And Enjoy

The Barley Forge Brewing Company, based in Costa Mesa, California, is known for its unique and tasty beers inspired by the cultural melting pot of Southern California. While the original brewery is no longer in business, its beers can still be found at various locations. The company created a range of beers, including The Patsy, a coconut rye stout, Grandpa Tractor, a Dortmunder-style export lager, and The Black Dahlia, a Belgian dark strong ale. These beers were available at the Barley Forge tasting room and kitchen, which remained open during the sale of the business to Green Cheek Beer Co. in 2019. While Green Cheek acquired the Barley Forge name, brand, recipe, and equipment, it is unclear if they continue to produce and sell Barley Forge beers alongside their own offerings.

Barley Forge Brewing Co. in Costa Mesa, CA

The brewery was founded in 1996 and became Costa Mesa's first locally-based brewery, located at 2957 Randolph Ave in the Sobeca District. They also had a tasting room and kitchen, which hosted events like Tuesday Night Trivia and Thursday Night Jazz. The tasting room and kitchen were open to customers during the transition period when the brewery was sold to Green Cheek Beer Co. in 2019.

Barley Forge Brewing Co. faced financial challenges, with increasing rent and bankruptcy, which led to the sale of the business. Despite the change in ownership, the new owners, Green Cheek co-owners Brian Rauso and Evan Price, expressed their appreciation for the Barley Forge brand and the previous owners. They planned to expand their own brewery, Green Cheek, into the Costa Mesa location, which is equipped with a 10,000-square-foot space, a brewery, and a kitchen.

While the Barley Forge brand and equipment are now owned by Green Cheek, it is unclear if or when they will produce Barley Forge beer. In the meantime, beer enthusiasts can hope that the new owners will bring back the beloved Barley Forge beers, or they can look for similar offerings from Green Cheek Beer Co. at the Costa Mesa location.

The Patsy – Coconut Rye Stout

The Patsy was a dark brown, almost black, American stout with a thin head and a smooth, creamy, and slightly sweet taste. It had an ABV of 6.6% and was brewed with Northern Brewer hops and infused with natural coconut flavour. The result was a beer with strong notes of coconut, chocolate, and rye spice, with hints of espresso and dark chocolate. Some reviewers noted that the beer had a nutty, oily texture and a semi-sweet finish.

The Patsy could be purchased from various retailers, including Total Wine & More, Tavour, Craft Beer Hop Stop, and Blackbeard's Crafts. It was also available at the Barley Forge Brewing Co. Tasting Room in Costa Mesa, which hosted various events, including trivia nights and jazz performances.

Although The Patsy is no longer in production, it left a lasting impression on those who had the pleasure of tasting it. It offered a unique blend of flavours and aromas that delighted beer enthusiasts and earned it a score of 93 ("Outstanding") from reviewers.

The Black Dahlia – Belgian Dark Strong Ale

The Black Dahlia is a complex beer with a surprisingly delicate palate. It has a strong alcohol taste, with dark fruity, spicy, and peppery notes and very little bitterness. The mouthfeel is slightly thicker than average and highly carbonated. The beer has a great Trappist character that is well-balanced and easy to drink.

The Black Dahlia has an ABV of 8.5%, which is higher than a typical Belgian Dark Ale, and an IBU of 27. It is best served in a goblet or chalice, allowing it to warm up to the drinker to reveal its secrets.

While it appears that The Black Dahlia is no longer being produced by the brewery, it was previously available at the Barley Forge Brewing Co. in Costa Mesa, California, as well as various other locations in the United States.

The Rye Who Loved Me – Roggenbier

Roggenbier, or rye beer, is a beer style that originated in Bavaria, Germany. It is made with malted rye, which gives it a distinctive, spicy, and grainy taste. The modern version of Roggenbier typically contains around 50-60% rye malt, with the remainder of the malt bill consisting of pale malt, wheat malt, or Munich malt. The beer is usually an ale or lager and has a distinctive straw color, classifying it as a Weissbier or "white beer".

The history of Roggenbier dates back to the Middle Ages when noblemen prohibited the use of rye in brewing, as it was reserved for bread-making. However, in the late 1980s, a few Bavarian brewers brought back rye beer, and it has been reawakened and returned to the glasses of beer lovers.

"The Rye Who Loved Me" by Barley Forge Brewing Company is a Roggenbier with 7.0% ABV. Unfortunately, there is currently no information on where to buy this particular beer, but the company is based in Costa Mesa, California.

Roggenbier is a unique and delicious style of beer that is perfect for craft beer enthusiasts looking for something new to explore. With its spicy and grainy flavors, it makes for an ideal light drink during the winter or summer evenings.

Costa Mesa's first locally based brewery

Barley Forge Brewing Co. was located at 2957 Randolph Avenue, Unit B, Costa Mesa, California, 92626. The tasting room and kitchen were open daily, and the brewery welcomed people to come and enjoy their unique and tasty beers inspired by the cultural melting pot of Southern California.

Unfortunately, Barley Forge Brewing Co. closed its doors on October 31, 2019, but its legacy as Costa Mesa's first local brewery lives on, and it continues to be remembered as a beloved part of the city's craft beer scene.

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