All Things Beer Related-Orange County (2022)

If you go to Highland Park you can also hit up Homage a block away. And Moo’s Craft BBQ is about a mile away right across the freeway (they always have a great taplist too).

 

Moo's also happened to recently be named a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant. Not too far from Moo's is The Heights Deli and Bottle Shop, they usually have some solid offerings.

In addition to HPB and Homage, you open yourself up to Chinatown for food.

Pearl River Deli has some tasty Hainan chicken and bbq pork, fantastic sandwiches at Wax Paper, affordable dim sum from Won Kok, Katsu Sando for...katsu sandos and the GOAT French dip at Philippe.

 

Fuck-ing GOAT Philippe.

 

In the South OC area, I prefer Docent ... always consistently solid brew, tons of space, good vibe and I love their Korean Reuben!

Gamecraft is my second fave, but that's a bit north of Docent and the Coach House ... fantastic lagers and very underrated!

 

Gamecraft's lineup was damn impressive at the Brewers Mash just before Halloween - I would have given them a gold or silver medal (if the OC Brewers were passing out such things - I was too busy sampling the wares to take note) and several OC breweries were making an effort to impress.

 

the smashburger at green cheek is awesome. a must try if you end up at GC/Gunwhale

if you're not feeling a burger, try folks pizza across the street. some of the best pizza i've had in OC and their cesar salad is a must try as well

 

Still no rumblings on the modern times Anaheim replacement? Seems like some brewery would snatch it up. Surprised there isn’t any rumors..

 

It wouldn't surprise me if that takes some time to get claimed. I imagine it's a pretty expensive space especially with the pool and the craftsman structure. And I do hope that whoever takes it on has a really strong financial footing and doesn't load up on debt to do it.

 

I gotta believe that appetite for expansion or start up in the brewing industry is pretty low right now. I'm not sure how it is in orange county but everyone I've talked to in the service industry says things are not back to pre 2020 normal.

 

Yep, it's a double whammy. Craft beer is on the downside of its growth curve after a decade plus of boom times, AND capital is more expensive than it has been in a long time. This means little to no appetite from investors.

Who knows, maybe Leisuretown gets converted to an upscale hostel.

 

Flying in SNA in a few months, does anybody have any recommendations for great family friendly restaurants I could bring a kid into? Having a great craft beer selection is a plus of course.

I already plan on going to Bottle Logic and Monkish, any other recommendations appreciated!

 

Stated this before, but I doubt any brewery would

Not a restaurant, but they have a very tasty menu and super family friendly … and of course some of the best beers in OC … hit Green Cheek in Costa Mesa, 5 min away from SNA.

Riip Pizzerria in Huntington Beach is another family friendly brewery / restaurant combo,

 

BL and monkish are great choices. green cheek is a must too and they have some great food. i would also recommend radiant as well

in terms of restaurants with a great beer selection, i really like finney's in orange. great food+taplist with quite a few IPAs from local breweries. heroes in downton fullerton is another personal favorite with great food and a massive taplist. don't think i've seen a bigger beer selection around here. it's definitely more of a lunchtime spot if you're bringing the kid since it gets pretty crowded at night with the bar hopping crowd

enjoy your visit!

 

Finneys is in the Orange Circle which is a great place to walk around with the family too.

 

And if you make it down to Laguna Beach, check out La Sirena across the street from the Montage - always a very solid tap list and decent (family friendly) food. And you can walk across the street to the beach.