Ashley Lyn Sourapas
Staff Writer
Last Saturday the patio of Chase’s Wine Bar and Beer was filled with bubbling conversation and ice-cold beer being served by waitresses dressed in German beer-maid costumes.
Chase’s Wine Bar and Beer hosted a beer-tasting event featuring the local Dale Bros. Brewery, which is based in Upland.
“Tonight’s goal is to figure out what the customers’ favorite beer is out of the three and the majority will be the next beer on tap at Chase’s,” Andy Dale said.
The two brothers, Curt and Andy Dale, operate Dale Bros Brewery. Curt Dale is the brew master and founder while Andy Dale operates the sales and marketing side of the business.
“I’ve been a fan of the Dale Bros. beer for a while now and was excited to come to the tasting,” guest Cameron Slagle said.
Chase’s already features Dale Bros. Pomona Queen on tap in their bar, which was a gold medal winner at the Los Angeles County Fair in 2007 and 2008.
By gauging customer reactions, they hope to find the next fan favorite to serve alongside the Pomona Queen.
Dale Bros. featured three beers to taste. The first two were year-round beers called Runway IPA and California Black Beer. The third was a winter seasonal beer called Winter Haze.
California Black Beer, first place winner at the California State Fair 2009, seemed to get the best reaction among the customers.
The beer is a traditional dark lager with a lighter body, and resembles a tasty dessert. Black Beer has a less traditional beer taste and is sweet and rich at the same time.
“Black Beer has two different dark malts. Coffee and chocolate is what gives the beer its finish,” Andy Dale said.
Winter Haze, gold medal winner at the Los Angeles County Fair in 2006, is a twist on the American-style amber lager. It has bourbon and vanilla flavors and is a full-bodied beer.
“The Winter Haze doesn’t even taste like beer it tastes like bourbon,” Dave Castanon, a regular at Chase’s said.
“I did not enjoy the Winter Haze beer; however, I could defiantly taste the hops in it,” Slagle said.
Dale Bros. beer is sold on tap and is available in bottles in select grocery stores and liquor markets.
They also have kegs available in a wide variety of beers, which is geared toward large parties.
“Dale Bros. is the best local brewery in the San Gabriel Valley,” Castanon said.
“Linda, owner of Chase’s, is doing a fantastic job joining together the La Verne locals and keeping her customers very happy,” neighboring business owner Abel Gandara, of Get a Hair Cut, said.
For more information on Dale Bros. Brewery visit dalebrosbrewery.com.
Ashley Sourapas can be reached at ashley.sourapas@laverne.edu.
