San Diego’s beer scene has simply exploded over the past five years. That growth has meant expansion of all kinds. It has meant more breweries, but it also means that little guys have gotten medium-sized and the medium-sized have gotten big. San Diego now boasts about a dozen breweries that are producing in the tens […]
Three Cheers for the Little Guys – 8 Small Breweries to Check Out
If you’ve heard about San Diego craft beer, you’ve probably heard about Stone, Green Flash Ballast Point, and AleSmith. These are San Diego’s biggest and most widely distributed breweries (and they all produce fantastic beer!). Because they’re so good and so big, you can likely find their beers in shops all across the country. When visiting, […]
8 San Diego Brews Spreading the Holiday Beer Cheer
There’s no shortage of beer innovation in San Diego – it goes on all year long – but the holiday season always provides an extra-special inspiration for many brewers. All over the county, brewery tasting rooms are tapping small-batch and specialty brews that were created especially to bring extra holiday cheer to craft beer fans.
Walk This Way: 8 Great Downtown San Diego Tap Lists
Yes, San Diego is home to more than 100 awesome breweries, and each has its own tasting room (some have two or three!). But, San Diego is a big county and, though many breweries are somewhat “grouped” in geographical areas, the majority of them are a 20-40 minute drive from downtown. So, how do you […]
Ales and Ambience: San Diego's 10+ Best Tasting Rooms
Have you ever noticed that things taste better when you”re in the right surroundings? The beer and wine experience, especially, improves when you”re sharing with friends and doing it in a great space. That”s why San Diego”s best tasting rooms and brewery spaces are worth noting (and seeking out). Of course, great tasting rooms come in […]
Three Cheers for the Little Guys – San Diego’s Nano Breweries
If you’ve heard about San Diego craft beer, you’ve probably heard about Stone Brewing, Green Flash, Ballast Point, and AleSmith. These are San Diego’s biggest and most widely distributed breweries (and they all produce fantastic beer!). Because they’re so good and so big, you can likely find their beers in shops all across the country. […]
The Flavor Debate: Pushing the Boundaries of Craft Beer
What is beer supposed to taste like? Hardcore craft beer fans are often divided on this question. On one side, you have the people who say “beer should taste like beer,” meaning that adding “crazy” flavors and ingredients takes away from the “true” craft beer experience. These folks also argue that there are plenty of […]
“Props” for Hops: San Diego’s Sensational Session IPA Craze
San Diego is world famous for the quality of its craft beer, and also the creativity and innovation of its brewers. Of all the styles of beer the county produces, it is probably most famous for the creation and development of the “West Coast” or “San Diego Style” IPA, which is – above all other things – a super-fresh, super-hoppy, full-bodied beer that makes most other American IPAs seem like Pilsners or Kolschs. This “no excuses” style of IPA has become one of the hallmarks of San Diego brewing, but it has also presented one downside: The bigger beers tend to also be higher in alcohol and, thus, limiting in the amount that can be responsibly consumed.
San Diego Brews and Views You Can’t Refuse
In my humble opinion, the two greatest things about living in San Diego are the beaches and the beer. So, what could be better than combining the two? Here’s a list of breweries and brewpubs that offer the best combinations of brews with views. I’ve organized them from north to south – basically along the coast – from Oceanside all the way down to Coronado Island.
Beer-Centric Bites: 5 Great Craft Beer Restaurants in San Diego
Let’s face it, touring San Diego’s many craft beer offerings is hard work. All that standing at bar counters, lifting your arms up and down as you sip…it’s not difficult to work up an appetite. Fortunately, San Diego is not only home to more than 70 great craft breweries, it’s also home to dozens of great beer-centric restaurants, bistros, and pubs.