Beer Forum

Hey all,

I'm going to be in California in March for a wedding and was wondering if any of you Californians had any good suggestions for Brew-Pubs or breweries in the San Diego area? I will actually be in La Jolla... wherever that is...

Looking forward to my trip, so let me know about anything good.

You are a lucky man, as San Diego is arguably one of the best beer cities on the West Coast, if not the country. Here are some of the best places to hit:

Alesmith (brewery)- http://www.alesmith.com/home/index.html

Pizza Port (brewpub)- http://www.pizzaport.com/history.html

Oggi's Pizza (brewpub)- http://www.oggis.com/big2.html

Stone Brewing (brewery)- http://www.stonebrew.com/

Karl Strauss Brewing (brewpub)- http://www.karlstrauss.com/

Ballast Point Brewing (brewpub)- http://www.ballastpoint.com/

Have fun!

Well, that about covers it. Just make sure you have some time set aside for enjoying some great beers!

Coronado Brewing wasn't mentioned but then they serve uninspiring beer. The food is good and the location great.

I haven't been to Strauss in a couple of years but theirs were worse than Coronado's. No flaws but just boring beer.

IMHO the best place to visit is the Stone Brewery. I went there last year in their old location but they have just opened up a 12 million dollar facility in Escondito. That's Northwest of where you will be I think. When I was there last they had free generous samples at the tasting times but I am not sure how that works at the new location. Here is a link with map and phone number.
http://www.stonebrew.com/about_us/maps/index.html

also check out Pizza Port they have a great selection.

Okay this thread covered San Diego well, but I'll be in San Francisco in May for the first time in a few years. I have visited Thirsty Bear, but what other breweries would people recommend these days? I would also appreciate a really good retail beer shop near Union Square area as I'd like to find Lev a Black Czech lager I had one time.

Any help appreciated...

Geistbear wrote:Okay this thread covered San Diego well, but I'll be in San Francisco in May for the first time in a few years. I have visited Thirsty Bear, but what other breweries would people recommend these days? I would also appreciate a really good retail beer shop near Union Square area as I'd like to find Lev a Black Czech lager I had one time.

Any help appreciated...

Beach Chalet
Magnolia
21st Amendment
Speak Easy
Triple Rock (Berkley)
EJ Phair (Concord)
Drakes ( San Leandro)
Gordon Biersch

That should keep you busy
I know nothing about Union Square so I cant help you there.


HH

Thanks, that's a decent start, I called Anchor for the tour, but they are booked solid. I have been trying for 15 years and have yet to actually take that tour, it's my tour Unicorn.