Brewery visit in Orange County/Long Beach this weekend...

Hottest of takes.

 

edgy

 

A little of both. In all honesty, their beer is just fine. I’m just not a huge fan of their business model regarding beer releases so I like to rag on them every now and then. I appreciated them more when they were just cranking out Belgian stuff.

 

Hope you're planning on dropping by Beachwood as well.

 

Heading to Newport Beach the end of next week and appreciate all the recommendations here. I get enough NE Haze at home so looking forward to some west coast goodness. I will try to hit Beachwood, Riip and Green Cheek but wondering if any of their better IPA's are canned and distributed anywhere? And can anyone recommend any bottle shops where I might be able to find some? I won't be too far from Whole Foods (Fashion Island) but do not know of much else in that area. Thanks in advance.

 

Beachwood gets pretty regular distro of Amalgamator and Citraholic to bottle shops. Riip has crowlers, and I am fairly sure that Green Cheek is on-site.

Don't sleep on Brouwerij West though (also sees distro to shops) as they make good...everything. Same with Smog City, if you see Wow Pop! grab it.

 

Windsor Homebrew is not too far. They post regularly on their Instagram with new stuff they receive. There are also a few breweries in that area that you can check out while over there. Gunwhale is pretty good for the light/farmhouse offerings. Salty Bear is brand new. Cool spot with beers that are pretty true to style.

 

Newport Beach isn't really known for being beer drinkers, which can be a boom or bust depending on what you're looking for. I personally work in Fashion Island, best beer spot is a Yardhouse

Windsor Homebrew Supply is by the camp/south coast plaza by 405/55, good selection but have noticed a few older IPAs there so just check dates.
Hi Times in Costa Mesa has deep selection but can be a bit pricy at times.
If you go on way to Riip, Mr. Kegs usually has some of the better choices in HB.

Whole foods excluding modern times and a few others has had their selection really go downhill.

 

As some here already mentioned, Beachwood has cans available throughout OC & LA. But I would pick them up at the source. A lot of places will have old outdated cans sitting on the selves. Hopular Cluster cans should be available at Beachwood HB & maybe 28 Haze Later? RiiP is crowlers only. Green Cheek has been releasing cans almost weekly. Tasting room only. Check their IG page. Windsor Homebrew store has an excellent selection of cans and bottles to go. If your up nearby the Bruery and Green Cheek area stop in and see Mike at Mr K's. Another excellent source for cans and bottles. While your in the HB area check out Mr Kegs for more cans/bottles. They are halfway between Beachwood HB & RiiP. And right behind my house.

 

The Butchery (butcher shop) in Crystal Cove (which is in Newport Coast between Newport and Laguna) has a great selection. Lots of Beachwood, Revision, and Brouwerij West. They also usually have the latest Bottle Logic barrel aged releases.

 

I was literally in Newport Beach next to fashion island two weeks ago. Here would be my recs:

Bottle shop: Mr K’s, great selection (always has been over the years), social media updated constantly with new things. It’s in same parking lot as the Bruery or if you go to Green Cheek (or Bottle Logic or Noble) it’s quite close so you can hit two spots on same trip. Whole Foods at Fashion Island has a average selection. Careful of old bottles and there’s nothing rare. That said you will find Beachwood Amalgamator, Citraholic and El Segundo IPAs (bombers and six packs) there that should suffice if looking for west coast IPAs.

That Whole Foods has a craft beer bar in it too with about 20 taps. Solid, local stuff. Nice to do a flight there and I typically do whenever I stop in.

Breweries: Riip is absolutely worth the drive. Check their Instagram for what’s on tap and what is available in crowlers. When I went they had a great triple west coast IPA and numerous west coast and hazy IPAs. They also have added some quality adjunct stouts to their line up. When I went every beer except a BA Stout was available to go in a crowler and very reasonably priced. I visited Riip last year for first time and it was pretty good but not amazing. This time it was amazing, either I caught them at a great time on their tap list or they’ve upped their game.

Green Cheek was also excellent. Mostly hazy IPAs but they had a west coast and pale ale on as well. Quality beers, great Pilsner. Watch out though as can get very crowded. Most beers available to go in crowlers.

Beachwood in Huntington is a good spot too. Plenty of west coast IPAs in their line up. Find their cans at most bottle shops or get at the source. Unfortunately my timing sucked as it was just before their anniversary party so the taps were pretty barren, just the core line stuff mostly.

I went to the Bruery as well but it was my least favorite stop and for what you’re looking for I wouldn’t recommend.

 

I second Riip brewing, Ian is slaying it with everything he does, world class west coast, hazies, etc etc, plus the location is worth every penny.

Cheers,

 

Anyone know of any Breweries in the OC area that brew Gluten Free Beers? I plan on hitting some Breweries mentioned above on my trip next month myself but my son has Celiac and I'd love to be able to take him with me if something might be available for him to drink (Cider on tap is good too). Also any suggestions on GF beers being distributed in the area whether local or not are appreciated.

 

Tree Branch Cider House
6953 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
https://goo.gl/maps/B13bEg2DJ6tmxs249

Menu is updated frequently. Check untappd. Half taps are ciders and the other half with craft. No food. Check for food truck.