Greer's OC

Beer and coffee now go together like peanut butter and jelly thanks to award-winning brewmaster Victor Novak at TAPS’ Fish House & Brewery’s and Jeff Duggan, founder of Costa Mesa based-Portola Coffee Lab.

The two beverage experts just collaborated on a new coffee beer, TAPS’ Neo-Colonial Stout: an English-style Oatmeal Stout made with Portola Coffee Labs’ Tanzania Peaberry coffee. It’s medium bodied, with hints of cocoa and citrus, and has a smooth finish.

Fourteen kegs of the jet-black brew will be available through Sept. 1 at both TAPS in Brea and Corona. TAPS suggests pairing the Neo-Colonial Stout with its Chocolate Decadence flourless chocolate cake layered with dark chocolate mousse and topped with chocolate ganache, then finished with crème anglaise and fresh berries. 

Need more beers to get excited about? TAPS was just honored with more awards for its outstanding ales and lagers. TAPS popular Cream Ale received a Gold award at the California State Fair; and at the San Diego International Beer Festival, Brewmaster Victor Novak won Silver for Irish Red and Bronze for Barleywine.

TAPS Fish House & Brewery is at 101 East Imperial Highway in downtown Brea and at the Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos at 2745 Lakeshore Drive in Corona.

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Twenty-five bucks will buy you peace for 30 minutes! De-stress during lunch or relax after a hard day at work with a 30-minute express neck or shoulder massage or renewal facial for just $25 every Wednesday and Thursday at Madison’s Day Spa in Laguna Beach.

Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

1833 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. 949.715.0444.