Heading to LA and San Fran what beers to try

[Sammy86]

I have seen a few threads with breweries being posted to visit while in Cali but I'm looking for beers to try.

The wife, BIL, BIL's new girlfriend and myself will be in LA for five days and San Fran for two days to visit family...and when i say visit family I mean both her side and mine so we have already figured we will be out to dinner 5 times outta seven days.

I know i want try Pliny the Elder (my cousin promised a restaraunt that has it) but any other recommendations would be awesome. I really enjoy Heffe's, Porter's (vanilla variety), Red Ales and of course a good IPA.

Let me know and i'll report back after my trip over christmas!

Thanks in advance!

 

[broncosmoker]

Heres a few:

Lagunita's: Imperial Stout, Caapucino Stout, Hairy Eyeball

Russian River: pretty much anything, the sour is really good for a sour if you can find it.

Sierra Nevada: Celebration, Estate, Northern Hemisphere Harvest, Bigfoot Ale, Hoptinum, Narwhal Russian Imperial Stout

Stone: Double Bastard Ale, Southern Charred, Smoked Porter w/ Vanilla bean, 50/50 Imerial Stout might be out depending when you will be there.

Firestone Walker: DBA, Double DBA....Pretty much anything they offer is fantastic.Parabola if you can find it is great.

I know there are many different beers out there, but this could be a start, especially if you don't have them available there on the wrong coast.

 

[troy2000]

Heres a few:

Lagunita's: Imperial Stout, Caapucino Stout, Hairy Eyeball

Russian River: pretty much anything, the sour is really good for a sour if you can find it.

Sierra Nevada: Celebration, Estate, Northern Hemisphere Harvest, Bigfoot Ale, Hoptinum, Narwhal Russian Imperial Stout

Stone: Double Bastard Ale, Southern Charred, Smoked Porter w/ Vanilla bean, 50/50 Imerial Stout might be out depending when you will be there.

Firestone Walker: DBA, Double DBA....Pretty much anything they offer is fantastic.Parabola if you can find it is great.

I know there are many different beers out there, but this could be a start, especially if you don't have them available there on the wrong coast.

Firestone DBA is excellent for boilermakers, when paired with Jim Beam Devil's Cut bourbon. Although hopefully you won't try to confirm that while out on the town, unless one of the relatives you're visiting is willing to be the designated driver....

 

[RoundKid]

Anything from Bear Republic, Heretic, Moonlight, or Knee Deep in the Bay.

In So-Cal; Ballast Point, Lost Abbey, Green Flash and the Bruery.

 

[IL1kebeer]

Definitely hit up the Bruery when you are in SoCal. And Russian River is a must up north.

All of the other breweries that were mentioned above are fine places as well.

 

[boxofjibboo]

AleSmith, based out of San Diego:
Speedway stout
Horny Devil
Yulesmith Ale (winter edition)
IPA

 

[Gixxer]

See if you can find North Coast Old Rasputin, either the plain jane one or the Limited Edition Barrel aged. Huge chocolate flavor without being too roasty or bitter. Definitely look for anything Firestone Walker limited edition too.

 

[martiniw2olives]

Visit Stone in Escondido, lovely place

 

[norsk]

If you'll be driving down the Central Coast hit Firestone in Paso Robles or Buellton for the Double Jack, Wookey Jack, Double DBA... or just about anything else. While in Buellton try Figueroa Mountain which is really making a name for itself (cool Brew Master) and cut through Solvang to try Solvang Brewery and the HBS around the corner (Valley Brewers)... If in Solvang, try the Arnes ableskivers at Solvang Restaurant... While in the City... cross over to Oakland and spend some time at The Trappist brew pub, fantastic selection...

 

[val214]

What part of LA are you going to be in?

 

[Sammy86]

What part of LA are you going to be in?

We're staying outside of LA with SWMBO's family about 30-45 minutes North...my cousin actually lives in LA And we'll be spending a day with them as far as exactly where I'm not sure.

Thanks to all who have responded so far...looks like i have quiet a few to try!

 

[TheSmithsEra]

Fathers Office in culver city is a trendy gastro pub. That place and the Blue Palms in Hollywood have pliny on tap. I like Blue Palms better because of the atmosphere

 

[B2Barleywine]

If you like Reds (and hops) try Greenflash Hop Head Red

 

[HornetSparky]

Love all beers of the Green Flash heritage. They are building a brewery in Va Beach!

 

[Sammy86]

BEER UPDATE:

Haven't had any Cali beers but my uncle got some New Belgium variety pack so I had my first Fat Tire and 1554 and they were phenomenal!

Day 2 drinking starts in a few hours when BIL arrives! Update later!

 

[ktblunden]

So what city did you end up in?

 

[Sammy86]

We are staying in Mission Viejo which is in fact south of LA not north like my original post...we're going to LA Friday to see my side of the family and there is Pliny waiting for me at his house so I'm excited about that...another couples days then San Francisco

 

[Remmy]

I was out in San Fran and I went to 21st amendment (4-5 years ago). Definitely a spot you want to hit.

 

[ktblunden]

If it's possible to stop at The Bruery (Orange, CA) on your way to LA it would be well worth your time.

 

[beersk]

We are staying in Mission Viejo which is in fact south of LA not north like my original post...we're going to LA Friday to see my side of the family and there is Pliny waiting for me at his house so I'm excited about that...another couples days then San Francisco

Oh man, Pliny is so good. I'm heading out to San Francisco at the end of January. I'm looking forward to going to Russian River and Sierra Nevada. Pilgrimage!
I've been to Los Angeles a couple times and didn't like it either time. Bill Hicks wasn't kidding about it out there...

 

[Sammy86]

BEER UPDATE:

Had some good Beer today...started with some Maui Brewing Co. Bikini Blonde Lager followed by some Kona Brewing Co Longboard Island Lager then with Lunch had some very fresh Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on tap and we finished the night with some Green Flash Brewery Saison Diego...PLINY TOMORROW!

 

[Sammy86]

Ladies, Gentleman, Yooper I present my day two of PLINY THE ELDER! AWESOME, well balanced beer! Thank you Russian River, I <3 you

 

[Espresso]

I'd see what I could find served from the cask or very fresh on tap.