I'd love your recommendations to expand my experience

Grab a Rochefort 10. Seems to fit into your tasting preference.

Also, think about expanding your styles.. Sample some Saisons like Boulevard Tank 7, Ommegang Hennepin or Pretty Things Jack D'Or. I have found all of those in San Diego, and they are fairly similar, in my mind, to Tripels.

 

North Coast PranQster is a great beer that would fit into to your current beer list. A lot of the other North Coast beers are very good as well.

 

Wish I had more access to some of the Stone stuff! I'm of the same ilk in preferences. Love Stone RIS!
If you can find a bottle out there, try Clown Shoes Very Angry Beast or any of the stouts by Founders from Michigan.

 

Many new craft enthusiasts like the malt-forward beers like you do, but as time goes on and your experience widens you will also begin to enjoy hoppy beers. It always happens.

For now, the malt-forward styles that I can think of off the top of my head would be Brown Ales, Scotch Ales, the Bock family, and English-style Barleywines (English-style uses less hops). From left to right in my list, the malt becomes more intense. There are other styles, but those will keep you busy.

 

Stone w00tstout is terrific, as is the Imperial Russian Stout (Espresso version, 2013 odd year release). There's also a bunch of stuff from The Bruery you might like as well. Anderson Valley Bourbon Barrel Stout is a recent fave of mine.

 

Aside from the Stouts, we seem to have some common tastes.. Here are some of my favorites that you can find pretty easily in SD:
Allagash Tripel
La Fin Du Monde
St. Bernardus Abt 12
Weihenstephaner Vitus
Boulevard The Sixth Glass
Ommegang Rare Vos

Also, I never liked hoppy beers either until I started drinking some of the all time greats.. There are so many different types of IPAs, and it's just a matter of discovering some you enjoy. Start slow with a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.. If you're feeling more adventurous, try a Drake's Aroma Coma.

Where do you usually shop?

 

I definitely agree with the North Coast Pranqster, and I'd recommend North Coast's Brother Thelonius as well. It seems to be readily available at any Vons, and it's kind of crazy how many awesome beer stores there are in SD. Have you been to Sorrento Wine & Spirits? Here are some other beers you might like:

Alesmith Old Ale
Port Brewing Old Viscosity (Older Viscosity is amazing too if you're willing to pay)
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
Dogfish Head Midas Touch
Rogue Dead Guy & Double Dead Guy
Lost Abbey Judgement Day (Any Lost Abbey beer really)
Tripel Karmeliet
Trader Joe's Vintage Ales & Belgian Style Golden Ale
Duvel
Chimay Blue
Gulden Draak

Also if you're interested in venturing into hoppy beers but still wanna stick with the belgian style then Stone's Cali-Belgique IPA and Green Flash's Le Freak are really great options.

 

Agreed.. Le Freak is bomb.

 

Yeti, yeti, yeti

That's Great Divide Yeti Imp Stout. Many variations

My philosophy is: If I haven't had it, that what I will get.

Enjoy the jorney.

 

I am pretty close to windmill and knb also. knb is kind of un organized but i think it makes it like a treasure hunt, fun sometimes. I just grabbed a 4pack of beire de chocolat by Almanac and really enjoyed it. You may like that one, also I second alesmiths old ale, it's right up your alley and on cask right now.

 

Old Rasputin
And Storm King if you can get it.

 

NC Old Rasputin and Pranqster and Green Flash Double Stout

 

Try all the Firestone beers yet?

Especially the Bourbon barrel aged beers.

 

Westmalle Tripel

As others mentioned Old Rasputin is always a great go-to American made Imperial Stout. A timeless Beer of Fame worthy beer.

Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate stout I really loved. Not as hoppy as some of our American offerings but the rich chocolate flavor is spot on and very well balanced.

For standard Imperial Stouts, nothing beats the Founders Breakfast Stout. Get it if you can.