Jeff B.
Yelp
(Drank/Dined 12/07/23 TH @ 2:00pm): This was certainly a valid ale house along with a kitchen!
Validation Ale was how I ended a busy day with a local realtor as we looked at and toured potential investment multifamily rental properties across Santa Barbara. I always searched my locale for any local breweries to give them a try. In this particular case, I found myself in Santa Barbara's "Funk Zone", and by default they were the only opened brewery. Would their ale prove to be validation of worthy brews and a wonderful day spent in Santa Barbara!?
PURCHASE
Mo Frosty Cold IPA Beer 6.8% ABV 5floz Taster ($2.50): Golden amber color, floral hoppy aroma, low body, slight hoppy flavor, crisp finish, and slight bitter hoppy aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=aTum2mcky6vcN0GcYHQARQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Citra Butt Down Hazy NEIPA Beer 6.8% ABV 5floz Taster ($2.50): Hazy amber color, citrusy hoppy aroma, low body, slight citrus hoppy flavor, mouthfeel finish, and slight citrusy hoppy aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=WtR_6uRPOjur5jztu6Py1Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Italian Pilsner Beer 4.8% 5floz Taster ($2.50): Golden amber color, earthy malty aroma, low body, malty sweet flavor, crisp finish, and slight malt sweet aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=lQwP9QJpwaq1FLRwS1MPDg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Twist N' Stout American Stout Beer 4.7% ABV 5floz Taster ($2.50): Dark chocolate color, bourbon coffee roasty aroma, medium body, chocolate roasty flavor, creamy mouthcoating finish, and bitter chocolate roasty aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=IbsO5DfjI3FnuCeogN-dUQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Lemonade Stand Fruited Sour Beer 4.8% ABV 13floz Draft ($13.00): Hazy mango orange color, lemonade tropical aroma, low body, lemonade tart flavor, crisp finish, and lemonade tart aftertaste. This was my favorite! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=nmhKAh03REvb8GVijcSknQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Totchos ($12.00): A bowl of golden crispy shredded spuds covered in beer queso, bacon crumbles, and diced jalapeño, tomato, red onion, and green onion, this was a lovely combination of tater tots and nachos that paired well with the beer. I only wished there was more beer queso coverage. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=N9yVp1v7cy545kg13ct4Aw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Goose Parti Gyle English Brown Ale Beer 6.0% ABV 16floz Can Multi-4pk ($20.00): Brown red color, brown sugar malty metallic aroma, low body, bready malty flavor, easy finish, and slight bready malty aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=0QzlKXL_kXIWd3tsbxqlzw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Maverick Parti Gyle Belgian Quad Ale Beer 11.5% ABV 16floz Can Multi-4pk ($20.00): Caramel red color, strong barrel bready malty aroma, medium body, bready malty flavor, mouthfeel finish, and long bready malty aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=xlsNeKYXm_gx4SZcIfB7qg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Sticker (COMP): I loved stickers and enjoyed placing them at other breweries to spread the love! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=BzhEJ7KP9Rv2iKmPZY8Ifg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
SERVICE
A physically attractive young woman warmly greeted me from behind the bar. She was attentive, charming, provided good chatter, and all of my orders arrived quickly. Damn... what more could you ask for!? It Was a fabulous time!
PARKING (Varied; $3.00 this instance)
No private lot, I parked at the nearby Hotel Californian Towne Park public parking structure and paid the rate (1st 60 minutes FREEf, then $3.00/hour). Otherwise, there was very limited street parking along the main drag of Yanonali St. and other surrounding roads.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
An open spacious layout with an onsite brewing facility, a ton of places to sit, charging stations, a long bar with barstools, and minimal decorations except for Christmas stuff. Plenty of natural lighting came in through the large openings, while various electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were many flat screen TVs throughout while Indie Rock music (e.g. Cage The Elephant, The Kooks, Blur) played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=6xoaEhvTLY_S2CjLfIaSBA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I had a blast at Validation Ale and would definitely return to try their other beers (14 on tap as of this date). Their food was lovely and appreciated, it was a relaxing place, the service was killer, and the beer prices were comparable (beer flights also available). The food menu varied enough and not just bar snacks. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $58.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS