YEE: Flight For Your Life at Alcatraz Brewing Company

5 Stars for Alcatraz and 5 Stars for the planning of this event
Alcatraz CLOSED??? Yeah, this review is coming a bit late. This event had most of the things I love in Unilocal events. It was two part — 1) we got to sample some of their food and beer offerings 2) we got to go on a small tour and see how and where they make their beer. The event was also set up so it was easy to meet new Unilocal friends! Fun fun!
Food was tasty and it was great getting to sample so many different beers. Everyone that worked here was absolutely professional and friendly. The place is also huge and perfect for parties like they one they just hosted for us.

What a great intimate event! No +1’s and setting people at small tables def added to the event and I got to know my other fellow Unilocal elites without having to juggle too many conversations at once.
Beer was delish, and I liked that they let us sample all of their brewery beers as well as a few samplers.
I also liked that they gave a brewery tour as well.
Thanks Ryan C for putting it on!

Such a great event! First and foremost, thank you, Ryan, for throwing yet another amazing elite event. As always, it was filled with food, fun, and booze; what would a Unilocal Elite event be without the trifecta of awesome? Secondly, Alcatraz was a gracious, if not awesome, host for the event and they were prompt and great with their service. To top it all off, we also got to go on a brewery tour and had a chance to pick the brain of the brew master. All around a great time.
A bonus from the event was that I got to get over a my old opinion about the beer at Alcatraz. Many, many moons ago I had tried some of the beer here and let’s just say I wasn’t exactly impressed. However, this event brought me back to Alcatraz to give them another try and I have to say that I was pretty impressed and the beer quality has come a long way from my first experience. I definitely am no longer averse to coming here for a pint and look forward to taking advantage of their all day happy hour Fridays.

Great event Ryan C!
Loved the beer flight and all the apps to munch on.
Sad that this was my last OC Unilocal event but ’twas great and got some Elite Unilocal socks to top it off!

«Would you like your flight of beers now or later?»
Of course we opted for now! Check in was smooth as silk and Ryan placed me in a table of new faces. This is why we Unilocal.Meeting new people, eating, and drinking. It’s how we roll.
Before we got our appetizers my group decided to take the tour. We saw how their beer is made and stored. We got to ask all the questions we wanted about the process all while double fisting our beers.
Back at the table we got the cream cheese wontons, followed by beef skewers, and then a massive amount of nachos.
Ryan’s events seem to have an endless amount of food and we got more swag! Another pair of sunglasses for me. I broke one of my other pairs. =(
Thank you Ryan and Alcatraz for making this happen. $ 3 beer at happy hours? I’m on it.

Sometimes I think Ryan C. is in my head. How did he know I would love an event with beer?! In fact, this might be the best event this year. Yea, I said it.
I had been to Alcatraz a couple of times for work and I never had complaints about the food or the beer (see previous review). The staff was really nice and I loved how they embraced our little Unilocal community. It even seemed like they had a good time and whenever I party my goal is to make sure everyone has a good time.
I’m so happy I ended up at a cool table, too. I ended up with some fellow beer aficionados and some brew newbies. This worked out great and made for good conversation. In fact, our table stayed well past the event and we even stayed after Ryan left. It was like that feeling when you were in school and the teacher would step out to the restroom and you have that 3 minute window when all hell could break loose. Except there was no hell to break loose. Just beer and laughs.
Thanks to the staff here, this will be in my regular lineup of after work happy hour spots. Especially if the brewmaster is there and I can get a quick tour for my coworkers. I’ll feel like a boss, but really, I’m just Unilocal Elite (same thing).
PS: Shiv we missed you!

Beer, appetizers, and a new pair of socks! The perfect end to a long work day.
I work pretty close by to the Block but have never been to this restaurant. It’s cutely decorated in the «Alcatraz» theme and all the servers and hosts were very friendly. It’s a cool place to gather with friends or fellow Unilocalers for sure. Especially since learning they have all day happy hour on Fridays which is unheard of!
The beer flight came out quickly. they didn’t waste any time! :) It would’ve been nice if the food started coming out a little sooner because I was drinking on an empty stomach, but that’s never stopped me before ;) The searchlight golden ale was the smoothest and most pleasant to drink. Their wheat beer didn’t have much flavor and all the rest had strong interesting flavors. The Tiger’s Blood 10% alcohol beer was actually my next fave. despite its high alcohol content it didn’t taste bad.
Their appetizers were typical happy hour type fare. The best dish was the marguerita pizza. It came out hot, fresh and cheesy! Spinach dip and beef skewers were pretty tasty too. Their nacho plate was huge and kinda greasy… it would’ve been better with chicken. Their cream cheese wontons were ehhhh but this isn’t a Chinese restaurant.
It was nice that this wasn’t a huge event and I got to make some new Unilocal friends in person. It was a good time swapping stories and beer knowledge with Pete S., Rosemarie A., and David A. Hopefully I’ll run into them again at other events!
Loved being able to get a taste and sip of all the best Alcatraz has to offer. The behind the scenes look at how they brew their beer on site was a nice touch too! Thoroughly enjoyed this event!

Everything was perfect. No plus 1, but a chance to meet like minded reviewers who love food. What else is there to ask for. OMG, the Unilocal socks are so fun! Always nice to be the lucky attendee at an event and acquiring new swag. This fuels the inspiration to write more reviews :0)
The sample flights: I should have tasted lightest to darkest (in alcohol content). The rebel that I am, I did just the opposite. Oh the tiger blood was delicious and only limted to 2pints per person if ordering. I also learned that there is such a thing as unfiltered beer and it tastes on point. Don’t like the haze fool you. Just because it is not clear, does not mean that it is not good.
The food: I was very shock that the food was really good. I’ve always come for beer here and never ate the food. To my surprise, I am very pleased. steak skewers, cheesy spinach dip, fried wontons, gigantic nacho dish, and pizza. Perect compliment to any beer that Alcatraz had to offer
Ryan C, you are the man!

— — — –Beer Whore. Yes, that is I! — — — –
Ever since Katie B had her Unilocal on Tap,
I’ve been thirstying (btw, is this a word?) to go a Unilocal Beer event.
I had the whole month of April, unfortunately, I never made it.
So when Ryan had this event, on the YEE page, I was about about to sing
Team America’s song, «America Fuck Yeah!»
Oh and I got to meet up with my old partying it up party buddy, Teresa S! I thought I was going to catch up with her but Ryan actually had split us up in different groups.
It was such a great idea, I too always try my best if I have the time to meet up with someone I’ve befriended online and see them in person at an event.
So I got to meet Rosemarie, David, and Christal on our table.
We got to sample 6 beers. They were in a really strange order but I went from the bottom up.
Searchlight Golden Ale-​Crisp, easy drinking beer. Could drink anytime of the day. It was my favorite.
Weiss Guy Wheat-​I couldn’t taste anything, guess the unfiltered was really a mix bag of things!
Belgian IPA-​IPAs, I love, Belgian beer I love. I hate to admit it but Belgian IPA, I do not Love. Just too much of a bitterness in all the wrong areas for me
Big House Red-Wasn’t bad, tasted like a red ale.
Fat Abbot Dubbel-​This was my 2^nd favorite, yes there is a slight hint of chocolate in here, but it is very faint for me. It’s no Wookey Jack IPA or chocolate stout, but think of a lighter version of it.
Tiger Blood Trippel-​They limit this beer to 2 pint a person due to the 10.2% alcohol content. Its kind of crazy but it wasn’t a heavy beer but it does pack a punch 5 minutes later. Or could it be that I was on my last beer and I finished everything already?
We got some complimentary appetizers but my favorite was the Steak Skewers and the Margherita pizza. Thanks to their executive chef, Michael Miller. The skewers were nice and tender and flavorful on the bed of light and refreshing slow. The Margherita Pizza was done simple and fresh with the fresh basil and tomatoes. Love it!
We ended the night with the tour of the brewery by Dave and his partner. They don’t use Cascade hops since they’re not big IPA heads but they do have 4 – 5 different ones. They also use White Lab for their yeast, so you know there’s good quality ingredients in their beer.
Thanks again Ryan & Alcatraz and everyone I talked to, I had a great time. Ryan told me he is going to have an OC untapped version that’s in the works in the summer. I can’t wait !

Had the best time AND I got some cool Unilocal socks! I knew there would be beer samples… but we also had some amazing appetizers (spinach dip, steak skewers, wontons, pizza, and nachos)! They were all delish! Seriously – all of them were good! And the beer, amazing! My fav was the «Tiger Blood.» Loved that we got a tour and the staff was so friendly!!! Our table (we were randomly seated) was great – everyone friendly and talkative! I made some new Unilocal friends!!! Thank you Ryan for a great event! Can’t say enough about. I’ll definitely be back for happy hour next time I’m in the area – we checked out the happy hour menu and super impressed… um, can you say $ 3 pints!!!

We got to taste six beers with a number of different appetizers, got to meet some cool Unilocalers, and got a tour of the brewery. This was one well-​planned YEE. Thanks, Ryan!
Only one app contained meat, so the herbivores were as happy as the rest of us. We learned that Alcatraz has happy hour all day Friday and Sunday! What?
I was pleasantly surprised by their brews. They had a Belgian dubbel, a Belgian tripel, and a Belgian IPA, all brewed with a Belgian yeast strain.
Now, for what occasion would Unilocal Elite socks be appropriate?

What a great first Elite event! I went in not knowing what to expect, and a little nervous about not being able to bring a +1. As soon as I arrived my worries disappeared. Ryan C and all of the Unilocalers that I met (Louie B, Michele W, Brandon C) were really friendly. I was stoked on the elite socks, Unilocal stick, and other goodies to take home. I love my freebies!
All of the Alcatraz employees were professional and friendly from the moment I arrived until the moment I left. I especially liked Dave and Easton the brewmasters. Their tour of the brewery was both funny and informative. The waiters and waitresses were speedy in bringing out the beers and food and also cleaning the tables. I thought it was really cool how they offered us extra food and drinks. I wasn’t expecting that! My favorite beer was the Tiger Blood Trippel, probably because it is over 10%. My favorite food item was the Spinach Artichoke Dip. The Margherita Pizza was a close second, and I don’t even like tomatoes.
Overall I loved this small intimate event. It was well thought-​out and just a genuinely good time. I can’t wait until my next event.

What a blast! I hadn’t been to an event since last November so this was such a treat! I have to admit I was a little weary of being split up from my Unilocal BFF Pete S. but it was a great idea. I don’t know many of my fellow Elites offline so kudos to Ryan C. so pulling me out of my comfort zone!
I’ve only ever been here once on a blind date. So I had no idea about the ALL DAY happy hour Friday-​Sunday! $ 3 pints and $ 5 well drinks? Guess where I’m going to suggest my friends and I meet from now on! I really like the Island of Alcatraz motif… very cool!
The Brewmaster’s Sampler Six was perfect! I’m more of a wine fan so this was a great way to allow me to try new things without committing to anything! I’d have to say my fave was the Searchlight Golden Ale followed by the Big House Red! I had no clue that Alcatraz was a working brewery and was hand crafted! The tour was very cool! Gives you a new perspective on what you’re drinking!
The food was way more abundant that I had expected! Whoo hoo! I pretty much rolled out of there! There wasn’t a dish I didn’t enjoy. The tri-​colored nachos may have been my favorite if I had to choose. Too bad half my table left before they arrived! Thank you Ryan C. for joining us and helping us out!
In my 3 years as an Elite I’ve only been to a total of 5 events. That said, I don’t have much swag so I was stoked to see my favorite « Unilocaltick» there… I’m addicted to it! And the socks and sun glasses are just adorable! Thanks for making this a great event Ryan C.!! I can’t wait to make the“volleyball thing” we talked about a reality! ;)

Beer Tasting? Free Food? I was stoked to learn that I had been picked to go to the YEE: Flight For Your Life at Alcatraz Brewing Company or as I prefer to think of it as Escape to Alcatraz.
I arrived a few minutes into the party and when Ryan C. saw my toes stickin out of my flip flops he immediately handed me a box of Unilocal socks.

My feet must have really offended him because Ryan stuck me in a giant corner booth by my self. I know the bad boy in the corner thing from a few visits there in my youth. Nevertheless I thought I had scored as it was laid out with 5 flight maps for beer! And a bunch of Unilocal Swag.
Mama always said that if I didn’t change my ways I’d end up in the big house. She was right I already had a few brief stints here at Alcatraz
But I didn’t know what I was in for this time.
I was prepared to stay in solitary with my 5 flights. But alas my happy thoughts of having to do life without parole at the beer big house alone were wiped away when Ryan escorted a couple of my Unilocal buds Sandya N and Joe L to my corner of the of the Big House. Soon other inmates I did not know Jennifer C, Laura B, and Temerah C, joined me in my cell and what a cool bunch of bunkies they turned out to be. We were all soon carrying on like we had been up the river together for the last 5 years.
I even saw my friend Steph H behind bars staging some kind of prisoner peace rally. Man up its the big house!

Must have been the mannequin I had molested the night before
because the guards were extra hard on us. Making us eat not one but 5 courses of appetizers like the Alcartaz Nachos
Margherita Pizza
Cream Cheese Wontons
Pitas with spinach and artichoke dip
And Steak Skewers I got to eat extra
because half of our crew was vegetariaizers!
Of course we were made to drink BEER! What ever happened to bread and water?
From the bottom up with ABV:
Searchlight Golden Ale 4.6%
Weiss Guy Wheat 4.6%
Imperial Belgian IPA 9.6%
Big House Red 6%
Fat Abbot Dubbel 7.8%
Tiger Blood Trippel 10.2% Hell yea baby!
Then we got some relief and got to go walk the yard and were given a intimate tour of the brewing facilities by the warden /​brew master Dave
He showed us the prison /​beer alarm system
and the guard house
Jennifer C even tried escaping but was caught!
Hands up he said!
I think we spent the most time in the pokey and were even joined by other inmates JZ and Suki B while enjoying some more Tigers Blood. I heard about this brew from another inmate
We learned a bit, ate a bit, and drank a bit. Great event put on by Alcatraz & Ryan C!

Did someone say beer tasting? Hell yeah, I’m there!
I’ve never been to the Alcatraz and generally tend to stay away from the Block, the Outlets or whatever they’re now called however this was quite an eye opening event.
Ryan paired us up randomly so that we would be forced out of our comfort zones to meet new people. No big deal. What I’ve come to find is that the Unilocal community is very friendly and it’s super easy to make friends and enjoy the night no matter what. Our table — Marcus, Maria, Lan, and Alina — was freakin’ awesome and I’m sure others feel the same about their tables but we ordered up extra steak skewers, wontons, and a side of steak for our nachos all while getting a bit rowdy after a few drinks. We were having so much fun that we missed our turn to take the brewery tour but they were kind enough to accommodate us later and I loved the fridge area. The smell in there was awesome. I could get high off of hops and beer. Mmmm.
Overall, this was a fun event. They have great happy hour prices and I’ll definitely be back for some Tiger Blood. Love that beer!

I was almost late, as I inadvertently ended up at the other nearby establishment bearing the name of a CA penal institution, Theo Lacy Jail (ok, that was just a cheap plug for my review of them:
).
If Alcatraz Brewing Company truly were a prison, I’d be in no hurry to escape. Plus, I’d probably have a difficult time swimming after all that drinking.
Anyways, this was an amazing YEE! The more intimate set-​up and assigned tables allowed for more conversation with fellow Unilocalers, which is much better than being in a large, chaotic environment. The brewery tour was broken down into groups of 10, so everyone was able to get a good feel for it, and our guide was quite the character too.
As for the beer flight, the staff placed them in front of us lining them up with their spots on the menu, so that was very helpful. The Weiss Guy Wheat looked kind of funky, but was actually one of the better ones, tasting sort of like a Hefeweizen. The trick to this beer: don’t look at it while you drink it, and you’ll love it. My favorite though was the Tiger Blood Trippel, and many at our table felt that way. While I’m generally indifferent towards IPAs, I enjoyed the Imperial Belgian here as well.
There was a good variety of food: spinach & artichoke dip w/​flatbread, cream cheese wontons, steak skewers, pizza, and nachos. The nachos were HUGE and the salsa was surprisingly pretty hot. I probably enjoyed the wontons the most, the orange glaze was the difference maker.
Thanks to Ryan C. for putting on the event, and of course, it was great to meet and talk to those at our table (Louie, Morgan, and Michele). This was my first YEE and it definitely exceeded my expectations, so it gets the rare 5 star honor!