What's to see in CA

[Thirsty Mallard]

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.

[BeerPal]

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!

[Lars]

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

[Danno]

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.

[JAWSFREE]

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.

[Geistbier]

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...

[Homegrown Hops]

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

[Geistbier]

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.