An EJ Phair's Homecoming

EJ Phair's, Concord (source)

   Being a teacher in California's Bay Area for the last 5 years I have had a chance to try out most of the local breweries at one point or another. I remember the first East Bay brewery I ever came across was a little place called EJ Phair's in Concord, CA. They had a booth at the Lafayette Art and Wine Festival back in 2007 where they featured two of their craft beers that I remember being very good.

   Unfortunately a year later, when I began working at a school within walking distance of EJ's on Todos Santos Square in Concord, I learned they were no longer brewing their own beer and only featured "guest" beers.

(source)

   Well, EJ's is back! With a new brewery and restaurant in Pittsburg, CA they now regularly have a selection of seven EJ Phair's own craft beers (Face Puncher IPA, American Wheat, Shorty's Revenge, Double Cross Eye-PA, Plank Walker Pale, Bocktagon, Duck Face Pilsner) on tap at both locations. EJ Phair's also hosts a great selection of guest beers including one of my favorites, Racer 5 from Bear Republic Brewing Company in Healdsburg, CA. Being only a five minute walk away from work, I have come to frequent EJ's on a regular basis for their beers and a menu of food that has the quality of a restaurant beyond your ordinary brew pub.

   On Friday night it was my school's homecoming and what a better way to celebrate than to hit up EJ's after the big game. My fiance and I met up with some friends for a late night nosh and beer. First the food. I have sampled about all they serve and highly recommend the burgers and wraps. The burgers are custom and cooked the way you would like it. I would recommend the San Franciscan, served on a sourdough bun with sauteed mushrooms and bleu cheese.

   As for beers I have my favorites including the cleverly named Double Cross Eye-PA, which is a double IPA that has enough of that hoppy IPA punch without being overwhelming as some of those over the top double and triple IPAs frequently are.

   EJ Phair's is a great after work hangout for good apps, burgers, pub food, and of course beer! Being on Todos Santos plaza it has a great atmosphere with the farmer's market on Thursday nights. Stop by for a pint and I'll see you there.

 CHEERS!!!