Beer Review Journal

09/02/2025

Evening views from our hotel at Sporthaven Beach in Brookings, Oregon…

09/01/2025

My beautiful bride and I on a much much needed getaway.

We decided to rent a beachside hotel room for a few days over the . We found a great location at Brookings, Oregon right next to Sporthaven Beach!

It has been relaxing and healing.

Santé!
Gordon A. Ponce
CEO – Beer Review Journal
Certified Beer Server
Certified in Belgian Beer Styles
Cicerone® Certification Program

08/03/2025

A Strategic Move for a Longtime Retail Fixture

Liquor Barn’s relocation to a larger footprint within the revitalized shopping center at the end of Hilltop Drive could mark a promising new chapter for the retailer—and for loyal patrons like Beer Review Journal, who have been frequenting the establishment since 2006. The expanded space brings hope for a return to the vast and diverse beer selection that once defined the store, particularly imports from Belgium, the UK, and Germany, as well as American breweries with a reverence for traditional Belgian styles.

The surrounding plaza, once anchored by a bygone Kmart and long associated with neglect, has seen considerable improvement over the past five years. The area no longer bears the hallmarks of disrepair, thanks to a series of incremental upgrades that have breathed new life into the development.

That said, the success of this move will likely hinge on practical execution—specifically, the store’s ability to maintain security, minimizing theft, and keeping transients at bay. Aesthetically, the exterior could benefit from a modern refresh; its current façade evokes a dated palette reminiscent of late-20th-century retail design.

Whether this new location for Redding’s Liquor Barn becomes a destination or merely a continuation remains to be seen. For now, the potential is there—and longtime customers are watching with cautious optimism.

Cheers!
Gordon A. Ponce
CEO – Beer Review Journal
Certified Beer Server
Certified in Belgian Beer Styles
Cicerone Certification Program

🍾✨ Big news for all our Redding shoppers – Liquor Barn is on the move!

They’re packing up from their current spot on Bechelli Lane and heading to a brand-new location on Hilltop Drive. 🛻📦

The new store is expected to open sometime between late August and September, bringing the same great selection you love to a fresh new space!

Stay tuned for updates on the exact opening date – we’ll keep you posted as soon as it’s announced. 🙌

2611 Hilltop Dr, Redding, CA 96002

08/01/2025

Celebrate : A Global Toast to Craftsmanship

International Beer Day was born in 2007 in the sun-drenched coastal town of Santa Cruz, California—founded by Jesse Avshalomov with a simple yet powerful vision: to unite the world under the banner of beer, celebrating the brewers who craft it, the bartenders who serve it, and the friends we share it with. Held every first Friday in August, this global toast to the world’s favorite fermented beverage has since spread to over 80 countries.

At Beer Review Journal, we honor this tradition not just with a raised glass, but with reverence for the stories, craftsmanship, and cultures behind each brew. Whether you’re sipping a Trappist Tripel, a German Lager, a Czech Pils, an English Bitter, or a West Coast IPA, International Beer Day reminds us that every pint is a passport—and we’re here to help you explore, one tasting note at a time.

Happy !

Santé!
Gordon A. Ponce
CEO – Beer Review Journal
Certified Beer Server
Certified in Belgian Beer Styles
Cicerone Certification Program

07/08/2025

BEER REVIEW: BOULEVARD BREWING COMPANY – TANK 7 AMERICAN SAISON ALE – KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

Just experienced Boulevard Brewing's Tank 7 American Saison for the umpteenth time, and wow—this beer never fails to impress! 🍻 There's something magical about how Boulevard took the classic Belgian farmhouse tradition and made it speak with an American voice. That first sip hits you with brilliant citrus brightness, then unfolds into layers of white pepper spice and herbal complexity that just dance on your tongue. At 8.5%, it's got some strength behind it, but drinks so clean and refreshing you'd never guess. Perfect for dinner tonight with grilled salmon, or honestly, just sipping while watching the sunset. If you haven't tried Tank 7 yet, you're missing out on one of the finest American interpretations of a Belgian classic. Trust me on this one!

Santé!
Gordon A. Ponce
CEO – Beer Review Journal
Certified Beer Server
Certified in Belgian Beer Styles
Cicerone® Certification Program

07/04/2025

🇺🇸 Cheers to Freedom! 🇺🇸

As we celebrate of liberty and the pursuit of happiness, let's raise a glass to the spirit that unites us all! At Beer Review Journal, we honor this Independence Day with gratitude, pride, and a toast to the values that define our nation.

Here's to quality, experience, and the joy of beer done right. Remember, IT’S NOT HOW MUCH YOU DRINK, IT’S HOW WELL YOU DRINK®.

Wishing you a safe and joyous 4th of July! 🎇

Cheers!
Gordon A. Ponce
CEO – Beer Review Journal
Certified Beer Server
Certified in Belgian Beer Styles
Cicerone Certification Program

06/06/2025

**A Heartfelt Message About D-Day**

Today, we pause to remember D-Day—June 6, 1944—the day when courage stormed the shores of Normandy and forever changed the course of history.

On that morning, thousands of Allied soldiers stepped into the unknown, facing a wall of fear, fire, and sacrifice not for conquest, but for freedom. Young men, many barely out of school, braved impossible odds for people they would never meet, in places they had never been, to defend a world they believed in.

Their bravery wasn’t just in charging the beaches under a hail of N**i gunfire—it was in their willingness to fight for a future where liberty could thrive, and tyranny could be extinguished. They carried with them the hopes of generations, and their actions echo in every corner of our world today.

To the heroes of D-Day—those who returned, and those who never came home—we offer our eternal gratitude. We remember your names, your sacrifices, and your immense courage. You didn’t just change history. You saved it.

We will never forget.

05/28/2025

Raise your glass to the timeless art of Belgian brewing! 🌟

From the cobblestone canals of Bruges to your own tulip glass, BeerReviewJournal.com invites you to Discover Belgian Beer Tradition—one expertly reviewed sip at a time.

Dive into in-depth tasting notes, food pairings, and stories behind every frothy pour, and elevate your appreciation of Belgian beer. Ready to taste the legacy? Visit BeerReviewJournal.com today and drink well—because It’s not how much you drink, It’s how well you drink.®

Santé!
Gordon A. Ponce
CEO – Beer Review Journal
Certified Beer Server
Certified in Belgian Beer Styles
Cicerone Certification Program

05/16/2025

Brace yourself—Sierra Nevada’s HOPTIMUM Triple IPA is back and it’s louder, danker, and bolder than ever.

This beast blasts your senses with in-your-face aromas of sticky cannabis and earthy patchouli oil, like a heady dive into a West Coast record store in hop form.

Those wild, resinous notes don’t just tease—they carry through to the first sip, unleashing a tidal wave of hop intensity that crashes into a monstrously bitter, gloriously unrelenting finish. It’s the ultimate flex for hopheads, a love letter to lupulin, and a must-try for anyone who thinks they’ve tasted it all.

This isn’t just an IPA—it’s HOPTIMUM.

Cheers!
Gordon A. Ponce
CEO – Beer Review Journal
Certified Beer Server
Cicerone Certification Program

05/14/2025

THE BELGIAN BEER COMEBACK: Tradition Meets Today's Tastes

Legacy meets innovation in Belgium’s brewing revival.

This isn’t just a beer trend—it’s a cultural movement rooted in centuries of craftsmanship.

Explore how Belgian breweries and their beers are captivating a new generation of drinkers.

📖 Read the full story:
https://beerreviewjournal.com/2025/05/14/the-belgian-beer-comeback-tradition-meets-todays-tastes/

Santé!
Gordon A. Ponce
CEO – Beer Review Journal
Certified Beer Server
Certified in Belgian Beer Styles
Cicerone Certification Program

05/11/2025

A Mother's Love

A whisper soft, a steady hand,
A heart that guides, a love that stands.
Through all the years, through joy and tears,
You held me close, you calmed my fears.

Your laughter lights the darkest skies,
Your gentle touch, the sweetest prize.
In every hug, in every word,
You taught me truths that still resound, unheard.

Your wisdom shines, a constant flame,
In every step, I hear your name.
You’re the song that fills my soul,
The anchor, steady, making me whole.

Through sleepless nights and endless days,
Your love, a light that never fades.
On this day, I bow in grace,
To honor you, my heart’s embrace.

For all you’ve done, for all you’ll do,
No words can match the love I knew.
But still, I say with all my might,
Happy Mother’s Day, and endless light.