I know this topic gets tossed out quite often but I'd like to get regional specific and current info. I'll be flying out to SoCal next monday on a spur of the moment, personal relaxation trip. Coming into LAX, planning on going to The Bruery on the way to Carlsbad, where I'll be staying. I also plan to hit up Pizza Port the next day. Although I'm not rich so I can't stock up too much, I'd like to bring back some good beer with me and try the best while I'm there. Any suggestions on bottle shops, must try seasonal keg only local beers, or general advice on Cali goodness would be appreciated.
Pizza Port has a bottle shop next door to the restaurant, which is pretty good. A bout 2 blocks away is Texas Wine and Spirits, which has a better selection, IMO, but the prices are pretty high.
PCH Bar & Grill in Oceanside, The Compass & Board & Brew in Carlsbad. They are some of the few places that update their tap list on Tap Hunter and usually have a good selection. Pizza Port Carlsbad has a Tap camera through their website, but it directs you to the Bressi Ranch location since they added that one and still have yet to fix the link for some reason. http://www.pizzaport.com/carlsbadtapcam.jpg
The Stone Brewing Company store is in the Oceanside Pier area on Tremons. They have about ten taps of Stone and a couple bottle fridges. It's just a small beer garden with pretty comfy wood patio furniture and a relaxed atmosphere.
Thank you all for your responses. I will check out as many as I can, gonna pack light so I can bring some tasty brews back.
I didn't see a rare/unusual beer on tap alert thread, so just popping in to say I was pleasantly surprised to come across Lunch by Maine Beer Company at Barrel Republic in Oceanside. I hope that means we'll see more Maine in SoCal.
What day & time r you arriving at lax? If your going to stop by the Bruery and looking for bottles, Mr K's right next to the Bruery. I would say a better selection (and $) over Texas in Carlsbad. Noble's is about 5-10 minute drive from the Bruery. They may still have I Love It in bottles. In Oceanside, Bagby Beer Co is a must visit. They have a large selection of their beers plus guest beers. And a great place to relax and chill. Stone Company store is close to Bagby. Local TapHouse is near Bagby. If you are craving for good mexican Colimas is right around from Stone. It doesn't look great from the outside but the food is large, good and cheap. It's not TexMex style. If your staying in Carlsbad you could walk, take the local bus or Uber to all of these places and places mentioned above.
