The Swill: Red Trolley Ale
The Still: Karl Strauss Brewing Company
San Diego, California
http://www.karlstrauss.com
The Drill: American Red Ale, 12oz bottle, 5.8% ABV
The Spill: True to form for a red, this beer uses caramel malts to accomplish a sweetness not found in ales which are dominated by hops. While it pales in comparison to Sam Adams' Irish Red, it's a decent brew that can be found around Southern California with some regularity.
Says Bill: My buddy Frank likes this beer. I recall eating with him at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Hollywood, and seeing him go back to the bar for seconds while we waited to be seated. He went to college in San Diego, so maybe that's where he had his first bottle. Or maybe he was just getting more adventurous in my company. By himself, behind closed doors, he's a Corona drinker. When I'm around, I shame him into drinking something with a little more quality. That's usually the way it works when I'm with people. Most folks are grateful. The others I don't hang out with anymore. Just kidding. But not really.
Refill?: If it's good enough for Frank, it's good enough for me. Except that's flawed logic, because Corona sucks: 2.5 taps out of 5.