Beer Trip: Where Should Beer Blotter Go in So Cal?
San Diego's Hamiltons Tavern will not be missed - but where else do we go?
Fresh off a trip to Washington DC, a month back from Tampa, FL and just two months back from our epic adventure to Belgium – Beer Blotter hits the road once again.
To celebrate the birthday of one of our writers, we are headed down the coast to Southern California to visit Orange County and San Diego County.
Now, we have enjoyed beer for quite some time. But, we have yet to experience beer the So Cal way! So we are very excited about this new trip down south, inevitably to sample some of the world’s greatest hoppy ales!
We are looking for some pointers on “not to miss” venues for our trip. Of course, we are expected to try and jam a lot into our 3 day trip. For starters:
Port Brewing/Lost Abbey Brewery – San Marcos, CA
Alesmith Brewing – San Diego, CA
Ballast Point Brewing – San Diego, CA
Hamilton’s Tavern – San Diego, CA (excited for their wings!)
Oggi’s/Left Coast – Huntington Beach, CA (i’m a sucker for Hop Juice)
Here are a few of the issues presented, please try and solve, if you can:
- I cannot find the time to make it out to Alpine Beer Company. While this stabs me in the heart, because they make the best IPAs on earth, Im wondering if anyone has a clue on where to go to get their beer on tap? I am thinking Hamilton’s is a good start?
- I will be staying on Orange County – but I am not finding too much other than brewpubs (Oggis, Karl Strauss, etc.) Does anyone know of any bar that should be visited in the Costa Mesa, Newport, Huntington area?
- We have a limited time, so I need to bunch places together. If you know of a nice cluster, let us know. This was the idea behind Ballast Point and Alesmith – who are right across from each other.
- Anyone have a nice bottle shop in Orange County to share?
That’s it. Of course, we really appreciate all the help! Please leave your comments below, or e-mail us at beerblotter@gmail.com!
in costa mesa, i’d try to make some time to visit the goat hill tavern. dive bar with a big, good draft selection. it is also right around the corner from hi time cellars, one of the best bottle shops in the area.
Matt –
You know what? When i was about 16 years old we went there to play foosball. Some serious foosball goes on there. I will be staying very close and will certainly drop bye late night. Hi Time Cellars is definitely on the list. Thanks so much!
Doug @ BB.com