A Valiant Endeavor – Visiting Valiant Brewing Company

Sometimes spontaneous trips are the most fun, right? About a month ago (darn that broken computer!) I was sitting at home with cabin fever having just gotten over the flu when I got a text from my friends. Turned out they were heading to the opening of a new brewery in Orange and wanted to know if I could come. Did I??? I hadn’t left the house in a week! I was practically there before they finished the text.

This new brewery turned out to be Valiant Brewing Company, an awesome craft brewery hidden in the back of a nondescript business park.

So nondescript that I first passed right by it. But turning around I noticed cars…lots and lots of cars in the lot. I figured it must be the place and sure enough there was a massive crowd sampling the goods.

Not being the most passionate beer drinker I opted for the sampler.

Aaaand here’s where it gets sticky. Since it was awhile back (double darn that computer!) I have no recollection of what I was drinking. I suppose I could have taken notes but if I didn’t do it in high school and I didn’t do it in college I’m sure as hell not going to do it now. So what’s a gal to do?

Go back, of course! So last night I once again found myself at Valiant. The tasting room was filled but not insanely crowded like it had been the first night and I had plenty of time to peruse the menu. When I came upon the Fields Ablaze Saison with hints of lemongrass I knew what I wanted to try.

Doesn’t that glass look so much better filled?

Ok, I know I said I’m not a passionate beer drinker but this drink was AMAZING. I loved it. And I have never felt that way about a beer before. “Meh,” sure. “I liked it,” yep. “Too bitter,” always. But “I loved it?” Never before have I said those words about a beer. Valiant, you made a believer out of me.

Now, please don’t ask me to describe it because I can’t. I just thought it was delicious (do you use that word to describe beer?). And I want it again. Soon.