On the drive to Los Angeles to see the premiere of Beer Wars, I also took the opportunity to visit some friends along the way. My second stop on the way down was in Goleta, near Santa Barbara, to see Eric Rose’s Hollister Brewing, which opened less than a year ago. Rose used to be the brewmaster at Santa Barbara Brewing for many years, but left to open his new place with his father.

Outside Hollister Brewing.

I sat at the bar and had a nice, long conversation with Eric about this and that, while sampling a number of his fine beers. I tried the H.I.P.A. (made with hemp seeds), Pigman Pale Ale, Table 42 Red, a new IPA whose name I forget, the Fairview Farmhouse Ale and the Barleywhine.

They had quite a number of beers on tap.

Also, one of the specials, a carrot and ginger soup, was rich and tasty.

You can read my review of the duck fat fries at my new blog, Frites.

Father and son brewpub owners, Marshall and Eric Rose.