I'm a CT resident, haven't really had west coast IPA's except for those distributed to northeast. Wondering, what should I look for when I visit next month - and where should I be looking?
That's actually the first spot I looked up because I saw back in Feb they had Pliny the Younger - so that spot must be good. You think I should just do bartender recommendations when out there or look for specific beers?
I would suggest to grab the locals brewed there (each pizza port can and does brew different beers) and then maybe ask for recommendations about the guest taps. Apologies I can't be more specific since guest taps can come and go especially between today and when you visit. Them getting a keg of younger also means that they obviously have a RussianRiver account which means that various offerings could appear on the board(s) like Pliny and Bling Pig. We tend to not see kegs of their sours down here that often. Otherwise check out the visiting san diego thread since there is a section about Vista and the 78 freeway breweries which will be near where you are. http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/visiting-san-diego-winter-2016.372021/
Carlsbad pizza port is a must. Just drink any of the IPAs and you will be happy. They all make an awesome house made root beer and the pizza is great too! Bagby in Oceanside is good. If you have transport then just jump on the hop highway (78) and hit any number of places. Mother Earth, Lost Abby, Stone and a ton of other spots are right in that area.
Carlsbad PP is far superior than the Bressi location, pizza = better, usually more house brewed IPA's. If they have Poormans on that is a top tier DIPA for me.
Yea, what @JoshBeerNow said. If your really feeling energetic (if your there Sat or Sun) you could hop on the MetroLink train (Oceanside Station-walking distance from Stone Company store and Bagby Beer Co) and get off at the Anaheim Station and walk (15 minute) or Uber it to Noble in Anaheim. It's only $10 all day on Sat or Sun. Yes one price ($10) for r/t all day. You could hit up Noble first and then head back to Oceanside and then hit up Stone and Bagby and finish up back at PP Carlsbad. And not have to worry about driving. Such a great deal.
Places to eat with good tap lists: Pizza Port (Downtown Carlsbad), 83 Degrees (not a fan but normally wide selection), PCH Sports Bar & Grill (Oceanside), Bagby (Oceanside), Urge Gastropub (Oceanside), Churchill's (San Marcos), Encinitas Ale House and Karl Strauss (only their beer). It looked today Barrel Republic is probably a few more months out until they open in Carlsbad. There's also Notorious Burger if you are closer to La Costa. Places to buy bottles: Texas (Carlsbad), Pizza Port Bottle Shop (Carlsbad - check hours), BevMo (Oceanside), Sprouts (Carlsbad) and Whole Foods (Encinitas). Breweries within 15 minutes (that I'd recommend): Bagby, Pizza Port, Rip Current, and Lost Abbey.
Yes, I do too. Would be awesome to hope on an am train to SD Old Town and hit up a few places in SD. Amtrak prices are a bit steep.
If you've got a designated driver and satnav, then the 78/Vista trip is definitely worth doing - 8 breweries in a mile radius! Rip Current and Toolbox were the best of those, imo.
Tw&s is the most expensive bottle shop in the north County. Find a seat at pizzaport and stay there for your trip. Been loving the bressi ranch location lately, just too crowded at pizzaport in Carlsbad(summertime).
Seems like Pizza Port is the place to be. I legit just googled pliny the younger and saw they had it this "winter" so I thought, that HAS to be the spot. And sure nuff, seems like it is. I hope they like out of towners ha
Bring quarters if you end up at Bressi Ranch (Carlsbad too but the younger generation usually has full control over the machines). Never too old for a pint, slice, and some video games. =P
Yeah, Texas is really expensive and if the price isn't marked on the bottle the older guy with grey hair will make up some ridiculous price. However, for someone who's out of town and doesn't need to be driving all over the place it's a good spot for the large selection. Majority of their IPA bombers are going to be marked up $1-3 more than other places. They also get in Pliny on Friday's every 2-4 weeks.
I've definitely noticed the high prices at Texas but I've only been there half a dozen times on my way back to Orange County. I don't mind paying a little extra if it's something that I don't see at my usual spots. I figured an out of town guy could benefit from the selection even if the price is a little high. Apologies for failing to add the disclaimer.
