Topa Topa Brewing Dos Topas Lager Beer Review

If you have seen my review of El Sully from 21st Amendment, Dos Topas Lager from Topa Topa Brewing is a similar “Mexican style” lager but much better. Topa Topa Brewing is a Southern California craft brewer with headquarters in Ventura and taprooms in Ventura, Ojai, Camarillo and Santa Barbara. I have been to the taproom in Santa Barbara, which is located right around the corner from the Figueroa Mountain taproom in the Funk Zone.

Dos Topas Lager has a low 4.5 ABV and 12 IBU but a "Very Good" 86 rating on Beer Advocate. In comparison, El Sully was rated 79 or “Okay.” Dos Topas describes the beer much like 21st Amendment described El Sully, with an emphasis on summer and the beach:

“The summer sun dips low. You brush the salt from your skin after a long day of ocean swims and sandy beach towel naps. Now, your reward: you sink into your hammock with a Dos Topas in hand and let the cool, crisp taste wash over you. So tomorrow, when those warm sunshiny rays crest the mountain peaks, you'll be ready for round dos.”

Dos Topas lists tasting notes as Cracker, Maize & Crisp.

Despite the similarity to El Sully, I much preferred Dos Topas Lager, which was both very drinkable and more robust in taste.

Visit Topa Topa Brewing

21st Amendment El Sully Beer Review

El Sully is a “Mexican-style” lager from 21st Amendment Brewery, which is a highly regarded craft brewery with a brew pub in San Francisco and a taproom in nearby San Leandro, CA. It has a relatively low 4.8 and 19 IBU. 21st Amendment describes El Sully as “A crisp Mexican-style lager with light notes of spice from Northern Brewer hops.”

I tried El Sully because I generally like Mexican lagers and consider 21st Amendment to be a good brewery. But the beer was disappointing. It was fine as a drinkable lager but nothing special. I’ll drink what I bought but would not buy it again.

21st Amendment promotes the beer as “Who is El Sully? Grab a can of this Mexican-style lager, head to the nearest beach, even if it’s imagined, and perhaps he’ll come to you.”

Sounds like you’re paying craft beer prices for a Corona.

El Sully Ingredients

Malts‍
Pilsner Malt, Flaked Maize, Vienna Malt, Flaked Barley, Acidulated Malt

Hops
Magnum, US Golding

Wellbeing Hellraiser Dark Amber Non-Alcoholic Beer Review

Wellbeing Hellraiser Dark Amber proves that you can’t judge a book by its cover. I was looking at the non-alcoholic beer section at Total Wine and More and this beer caught my eye because of the “Dark Amber” name. If you have seen my Figueroa Mountain Danish Red Lager review, then you know I like red ales and lagers.

I had never heard of this brewery or this beer so I quickly looked it up and found some decent reviews. Despite the fact that it came in a plain aluminum can with a wrap around label that in some cases wasn’t even affixed straight and had creases, I picked up a 4-pack.

I was not disappointed. This may be my new favorite non-alcoholic beer. It has a more robust taste than most I have tried and a surprisingly low 33 calories. It is also listed at 0.3 ABV, the one time I have seen an actual ABV on a non-alcoholic beer rather than “less than 0.5%.”

Wellbeing is based in St. Louis and describes Hellraiser as “This hop-forward amber has the perfect balance of floral aroma and spicy hops to delight the palate of craft beer enthusiasts everywhere.”

Wellbeing Hellraiser is a great choice when you consider the taste, low calories and minimal alcohol.