Is San Diego Brewing on Steroids?

[nhwrecker]

I just found out I have to go to San Diego for 3-4 days next week, most likely including staying over the weekend for a Monday meeting. I was psyched, and did a search on San Diego Breweries, and according to a few websites, there are 36 microbrews in the area. WTF? How am I supposed to visit all 36 breweries in one weekend?????That's impossible. Typical over the top Californy.

But seriously, which SD Breweries are a must see - and a must tour? And which are a must eat at, and which are a drink, but stay away from the food?

Thanks for any input. And please answer soon, before there's over 40 choices.....

 

[rstewy2]

It depends on whether you like hoppy, super hoppy, or knock you out of your chair hoppy.

 

[rstewy2]

But seriously, Karl Strauss, Stone, and Greenflash are great choices. Also if you have the chance to try anything from Marty at rock bottom in La Jolla take it. Never had anything less than amazing from him. I've heard Pizza Port is good too but have yet to go there.

 

[weirdboy]

Alpine, Ballast Point, Lost Abbey, Stone


Or just visit one or two and then go to Toronado or Hamilton's.

 

[nhwrecker]

Keep the ideas coming! I knew Stone was out there, but wasn't sure where Greenflash was in CA. Their west coast IPA is awesome.

 

[nhwrecker]

Alpine, Ballast Point, Lost Abbey, Stone


Or just visit one or two and then go to Toronado or Hamilton's.

Wow, just looked up Toronado on line:

Here's their current tap list As of Friday the 2nd:

Alaskan Brewing- Smoked Porter (AK)
AleSmith- Lil’ Devil, IPA, Speedway Stout (SD)
Allagash- White, Curieux (ME)
Alpine- Odin’s Raven, Alpine Ale, O’Brien’s IPA (SD)
Avery- Ellie’s Brown, New World Porter (CO)
Ayinger- Celebrator Doppelbock (GER)
Ballast Point- Sculpin IPA (SD)
Bear Republic- Racer 5 IPA (CA)
Bockor- Cuvee des Jacobins (BEL)
Bosteels- Kwak (BEL)
Coronado Brewing- Idiot IPA (SD)
Craftsman- El Prieto (CA)
D’Achouffe- La Chouffe (BEL)
De Koninck- De Koninck (BEL)
De Landtsheer- Malheur 10 & 12 (BEL)
Dogfish Head- Red & White (DEL)
Br. Dupont- Avril (BEL)
Firestone Walker- Velvet Merlin (CA)
Green Flash- West Coast IPA (SD)
Hollister Brewing- Admiral Browning (CA)
Julian Hard Cider- Apple Cider (WA)
Lagunitas- WTF?, Pils (CA)
Maui Brewing- Coconut Porter (HI)
North Coast Brewing- Old Rasputin Imperial Stout (CA)
New Belgium- Dig (CO)
Pizza Port Solana Beach- The Booya Steez (SD)
Port/ Lost Abbey- Mongo IPA, Red Barn, Serpent’s Stout (SD)
Rodenbach- Grand Cru (BEL)
Russian River Brewing- Pliny the Elder, Blind Pig IPA, Damnation (CA)
St. Bernardus- Witbier (BEL)
Sierra Nevada- Bigfoot Ale (CA)
Spaten- Franziskaner Weisse (GER)
Stone- Ruination IPA, DDH Ruination IPA (SD)
Von Honsebrouck- St. Louis Gueuze (BEL)
On Hand Pump- Stone Ruination & Pizza Port Night Rider


SD is going to be awesome. Hope I have a little time to get my work done..A friend brought me a bottle of Sculpin IPA once - that's a great brew too. I may have to bring an extra suitcase to carry some stuff home!

 

[nhwrecker]

36 breweries, 161 Craft Beer Bars? Wow

 

[TheMan]

I may have to bring an extra suitcase to carry some stuff home!

That's what I did last time I went. It was $25 to check a bag, which is far cheaper than shipping bottles across the states.

 

[Old-Ned]

I've been reading about and DYING to try something (anything) by Hess Brewing. To eat...I don't know about beer selection...is Nick's On The Pier. I've heard only good things. I love Stone, and I hear their bistro is good (in Escondido).

 

[cjever19]

36? More like 56, here's a list, a few are still in the planning stages...


5 Points Brewing Company
AleSmith Brewing Company
Alpine Beer Company
Automatic Brewing Company/Blind Lady Alehouse
Aztec Brewing Company
Back Street Brewery
Ballast Point Brewing Company - Linda Vista
Ballast Point Brewing Company - Scripps Ranch
The Beer Company
Breakwater Brewing Company
The Brewhouse at Eastlake/Bay Bridge Brewing Company
Coronado Brewing Company
El Cajon Brewing Company
Fezziwig's Brewing
Gordon Biersch Brewery - Mission Valley
Green Flash Brewing
Hess Brewing Company - Miramar
Hess Brewing Company - North Park (planned)
Iron Fist Brewing Company
Julian Brewing Company
Karl Strauss Brewing Company - Carlsbad
Karl Strauss Brewing Company - Downtown
Karl Strauss Brewing Company - La Jolla
Karl Strauss Brewing Company - Rose Canyon
Latitude 33
La Jolla Brew House
Lightning Brewing Company
Lost Abbey/Port Brewing
Manzanita Brewing Company
Mission Brewery
Mother Earth Brewing Company
Monkey Paw Pub & Brewery
New English Brewing Company
Oceanside Ale Works
Oggies - Carmel Mountain
Oggies - Mission Valley
On The Tracks Brewery
Pacific Beach Ale House
Pizza Port - Carlsbad
Pizza Port - Ocean Beach
Pizza Port - Solana Beach
Prohibition Brewing Company
Rock Bottom - Gaslamp
Rock Bottom - La Jolla
Rough Draft Brewing Company
San Diego Brewing Company
San Marcos Brewing Company
Societe Brewing Company (building)
Stone Brewing Company - Escondido
Stone Brewing Company - Liberty Station (planned)
Stumblefoot Brewing Company
Tiger! Tiger! Pub and Brewery (bar open, brewery planned)
Wet 'N Reckless Brewing Company