New OC Breweries Worth Visiting?

Why post that? Looks like they corrected the wrong at the first available moment.

 

Pleasantly surprised with Salty Bear in Costa Mesa. The space they have is larger than expected. Great bar inside and a patio outside. Beer, at least imo, was decent too. I've been twice so far and will go again. As a bonus, you can walk to Gunwhale or Bootlegger's to do a brewery hop.

 

It's public information. And it happened just last month. Would you rather not know about information like this when attempting to decide where to go eat?

They corrected the wrong because the government shut them down and made them do it. What information concerning food facilities do you find relevant?

 

No, I just think this is how bad publicity gets started. Trying to give the brewery the benefit of the doubt, since they seem to have done what was necessary. Anyway, carry on.

 

Yes, you get bad publicity by having a cockroach infestation and having the government come in and shut you down and write you up and make all the information public and available, that is correct.

What are you suggesting? That people who don't know of this major violation shouldn't be made aware of it?

 

If they'd done "what was necessary" from the beginning, they would have never had a cockroach infestation.

Most people on here seem to be saying good things about the food (better than what's said about their beer, anyway). I'd rather know than not know about something like this, and I did not previously know.

 

What's everyone opinion on backstreet brewing? Never been and only now finding out about it.

 

I believe Backstreet is the main beer served at Lampost Pizza. I want to say they brew at one of Lampost locations or its very nearby. It's too early in the morning for my memory to think right now.
I was going to hit them up last year but instead we change our mind at the last minute and went over to Left Coast new Irvine location. We should of gone to Backstreet instead. I never did have high hopes for both Left & Backstreet but the curiosity to visit. I will make it over to Backstreet one day. If not for their beers, but for the pizza.

 

I'm visiting family in a few weeks down in Dana Point. Planning on hitting up Docent - any thoughts are appreciated. Also, are there any decent beer bars/bottle shops in that area? I've been to High Times in Newport multiple times, but I may be more limited to closer spots. Thanks.

 

they brew beer at Lampost Pizza? isn't Lampost like one step away from Shakey's Pizza?

 

Might as well hit the San Clemente breweries since you’ll be super close ... both Pizza Port & Artifex are solid ... the other two SC breweries are MEH

 

The BrewHouse in SJC is a decent beer bar.

 

Going to be in San Clemente in mid August. Love the BrewHouse recommendation. That’s my favorite kind of establishment: taps and bottle shop to drink and browse. Only downside is I can’t find an updated tap list for them. Untappd not updated since April 30 and their website / social media doesn’t seem to have one either.

I’m planning to hit Artifex for sure. Most things I’ve tried from them have been solid to good. Pizza Port is a maybe, for whatever reason their IPAs are not great to my palate and I’ve had plenty of their stuff over the years.

I’m thinking of making the trek one day down to MT Far West Lounge and stock up there. About a 35-40 min drive tho, oh well. Anything else worth hitting in the San clemente area I’m missing? Mostly an IPA, lager guy. Like all styles though except not hugely into sours.

 

@MonkeyBread if you drive to MT Encinitas, a stop at Bagby in Oceanside on Coast Hwy would be worthwhile. Excellent true to style beers across the spectrum as well as some tasty grub. Crowlers there too but no cans/bottles.

 

I've always enjoyed Lost Winds.

 

Agreed. Will probably be my go to place in Costa Mesa going forward. I like their early hours on week days too (12 pm Tuesday-Friday).

 

Barley Forge is closing up shop

 

I figured something was up as my local Mother’s Market stopped getting in their supply of Grandpa Tractor (which is a great Dortmunder to me). The few times I went to the brewery it was packed during football season. With Gunwhale expanding to Orange (a brewery I have never seen packed) I have no idea what Barley Forge did wrong. Oh well. Hopefully someone competent takes over their space.

 

OC showed so much promise just 3-4yrs ago. The only notable opening since, in my book, has been Green Cheek which was also the demise of another OC-staple, Noble; so even that was a wash. I'm still going to the same 2-3 places I've been going to for years now except Green Cheek replaced Noble. The others are BL and sometimes the Bruery or Terreux.

If I'm missing out on other, under-the-radar breweries, folks, please let me know. I'm all ears, er, eyes.

 

Has anyone been to O'Shea brewing in Laguna Niguel? Yesterday I was driving north 5 and saw a sign for it on the west side of the 5, never heard of it.