Pick one brewery in San Diego

The locals are jaded by the wealth of great beer in San Diego so I don't think many will say Stone, but as an out of towner who has visited a bunch of breweries I am going to say you should go to Stone, especially if you are a fan of their beer.

 

Alpine.

 

Yep, I'd say Stone as well for an experience that goes beyond just beer.

 

Alpine without a doubt. If the drive isnt worth it, then Id go by Societe or Modern Times.

 

If you're content to drink nothing but world-class IPAs, Alpine is your huckleberry. If you want to drink a variety of styles, no one has a better across-the-board offering than AleSmith.

 

I like Stone because it has a nice selection (non-Stone beers included) and non-beer people can enjoy

I love Lost Abbey because the atmosphere is everything I look for in a brewery, and I love the beer (you get Port too)

They're 5 minutes away from each other, hit up both

 

I'm not sure that I would say the drive to Alpine is very picturesque, so I'm not sure how much anyone would enjoy it. Societe is making great stuff, and is pretty centrally located. If you could squeeze in another brewery on the same trip, you'd have more options by going there or Alesmith, as was mentioned before.

 

This is like taking your kids to Disneyland and telling them they can only pick one ride to go on.

 

Stone, but in escondido. Get there at 11 when it opens to make sure you get on a tour (first one is at noon) because the tour is not to be missed. The gardens are relaxing and there is more than just Stone beer on tap to enjoy like everyone else is saying, there are a lot of local breweries featured too.

 

I would go with Stone if you had to pick one (and like their beer). It's a pretty cool place that you can spend a few hours at, walking the garden, eating, brewery tour, etc. You can get quite a few guest beers and that isn't the case with the other breweries mentioned. Last time I was there they had Pliny on tap.

 

The drive to Alpine would still be worth it if you were staying in San Francisco. Make it happen, especially if you are an IPA lover. We recently got a few kegs of a variety of their beers at Apex in Portland the last couple weeks. Puts the bottles to shame, and that is saying a lot. Duet on draft is possibly the best beer I have ever had.

 

Hit up Stone and drive the 40 minutes to Alpine. Worth it. But dont go on Sunday. The Alpine brewery is closed. The pub and brewery is closed on Sunday and Monday. Pub is open on Sunday.

 

That, and the Stone campus is awesome. Its a good time for a beer lover.

 

Alpine is cool but it's a far and boring drive from North County. Go to Urge for great food and get tasters of a bunch of great beer. Then head to Stone for a beer and afternoon in the garden.

I'm always of the opinion less is more. Too many people suggest that out of towners go to a bunch of different places or drive long distances. There is so much beer wise in North County I would stay close to home and not spend so much of your day driving.

 

In my opinion there is no need to drive all the way to Alpine for excellent IPA's (or other styles). Go to Societe and call it a day.

 

I feel like its a bad call not to mention Ballast Point as well. Beautiful place, and the beer is awesome as Im sure you all know.

 

Good luck on finding Alpine bottles, it's been really tough for the last year or so. Holiday Wine Cellar might have some but I wouldn't count on it.

 

If I were you I would work on an in person trade for the Alpine bottles. I'm sure you can find some North County BA willing to set you up.