Couple Nights in Lake Forest CA

You should drive to the Bruery tasting room. Depending on time of day, about 35 minutes.

 

You have lots of good options nearby.

For bottle pickups try Dimension Liquor on Lake Forest/Dimension, Total Wine on El Toro/Carlota, should have no trouble finding modern times and other options.

Bruery/Noble/Bottle Logic are about 25-40 min drive, but all solid breweries. About 15 minutes from your hotel by surface street you can head to Rancho Santa Margarita where you'll want to check out Amazing Grapes for a solid taplist and bottle selection, there's Cismontane brewery next door too, and then grab a sandwich and a beer from Board n Brew in RSM nearby.

If you want to check out the beach area head south about 20 minutes to San Clemente and Pizza Port Brewing on El Camino Real for solid food/brews in a beachfront setting. Uber is a good option if you don't want to drive.

 

Slater's 50/50. Decent tap list and great food.

 

Gone. History. Shut down on Tuesday.

 

Oh Bru Grill and Market on El Toro/Rockfield has decent happy hour/taps.

 

Bummer, I've never been to that location, but I have been to a couple others and love their food.

 

It was in the worst location. Pain in the ass to get to. Went there Sunday night. Coming off the 5 and missed the turn past the gas station and took another 10 minutes after making a couple of U turns. Waitress confirmed that it was the location that closed it up.

 

Really? Dang - that was quick! Wonder if they are putting in a "Library"

 

Before Slaters 50 50 it was Hooters and something else before Hooters. They all lived a short life because of the location. Maybe they should buy a GF/ABC tasting room/store there?

 

Yeah, you really should consider driving a bit … Bruery, Noble and Bottle Logic are all solid choices within a 30 minute drive. Plus the three of them are all located very close to each other – maybe a 10 minute drive between breweries.

Like others have said, 10 min drive into Rancho Santa Margarita will get you to Amazing Grapes and Boards And Brew … both of these places have awesome tap lists – Boards and Brew has excellent food & a more casual vibe than Amazing Grapes (where you can also buy bottles to-go). Then in the same parking lot as Amazing Grapes, there’s Cismontane Brewery (nothing earth shattering, but it’s close). Also since you mentioned In N Out – there is one close to Amazing Grapes … there is no In N Out “close” to your hotel.

For sure hit Total Wine – they sell singles of all their selections – so build your own 6-pack.

There’s a pretty cool grub place walking distance from your hotel called The Hat … insane pastrami sandwiches – insanely high portions -> http://www.thehat.com/

 

Before Hooters it was The Library ... same type of place as Captain Creams - which was located a mile away ... LMAO, yep, Lake Forest used to have not one, but TWO strip clubs

 

And a whole sh!teload of Med Majihuana clinics.

 

There's some good ones already mentioned, but I would also add the Brew House down in San Juan Capistrano. It should only be a 15 min drive for you, and they've got a great selection of taps, that usually include a good handful of local breweries you wouldn't get at home. It's a very casual place and has food trucks I believe every day, in addition to some cheese & charcuterie plates (which I can't vouch for since I've only got beers). The two guys that run it are very friendly & helpful. Their tap list is "real time" on their Facebook page so you can see what they have.

 

While people are suggesting North County spots you could also head down to South County, specifically San Clemente, and visit a number of spots like Pizza Port and Left Coast while also grabbing a burger from the superb Riders Club Cafe.

 

Artifex

 

If you're uncomfortable driving due to the drinking, use Uber or Lyft. R/T to The Bruery is probably only $40-$50 or so.

If you want crazy tacos (which are also pretty legit), check out Taco Asylum in Costa Mesa. It's 15 min away, but they're pretty damn tasty.

 

TAPS Fish House & Brewery opened a new location down the street in the Irvine Market Place. They've got 15+ of their own beers on tap.

Tustin Brewing isn't too far either & they are doing some great stuff.

 

Barley Forge might be a good place to go as well....