Monday 5th of August 2013 09:24:44 PM

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Black Market

The name conjures up images of dark characters lurking in the shadows, on the watch for any stranger who might put the kaibosh to their infamous plan; hiding secret plans or contra-band in the folds of their trousers, rapidly taking pictures with their infra-red pen cameras only to be snatched up at the final moment of their mission and trundled off to an unknown prison in some unknown country.

Good images...but when this Temecula brewery is building a reputation for mediocre beer.

I wanted it to be delicious, I really did. This was the last of five breweries wife Persimmon and I visited on a beautiful southern California Sunday; three hours of sampling every brew Temecula brewers had to offer. We had been impressed and disappointed and wanted the final moments to be memorable. They were but for all the wrong reasons.

Up 'til now, each brewery we visited provided us with excellent customer service. Give us a half pour sample glass? Two ounces? No problem. Charge us half price? You bet. Bring it to your table? OF course. Peanuts? Pretzels? Popcorn? Absolutely. What did you think? No worries...we really appreciate your comments.

But here? "We'd like a half pour please because we'll share." "Alright...but I have to charge you full price." "But you're only pouring 2 ounces." "Yes...sorry." "But you'll be wasting beer because don't intend to drink all of each of your 11 beers." (Silence. Stare.) "Fine." "Where are you sitting? I'll pour them....you can take them to your table." "Do you have any little snacks to clean our palette?" "No I....oh. Wait. Here's some peanut crumbs...the last of the bunch." "You have a popcorn machine over there. Could you make some?" (Silence. Stare.) And the beer? From a watery stout to a tasteless stout to an Anniversary Ale that smelled and tasted of perfume...these were a major disappointment.

A week earlier, I had bought and tried a bottle of a Dark American Strong Ale they brew called QuadraPhenia....and it was outstanding. A bit on the sweet side but not overwhelming with hints of molasses and a full, toasty feel. But here, at the brewery - at the tap room - sold out.

Black Market is invading the San Diego market with their bottled product but they have a long way to go to compete with the likes of Stone and Port Brewing....even the smaller craft breweries (Arcana, Mother Earth, Iron Fist) have them beaten.

Slink back into the shadows - work on your customer service skills and be ever so thankful that you're not arrested for foisted some of these beers on your customers.