All Things Beer Related-Orange County (2022)

are the brew ha ha festivals any good? thinking of going to the one in september at irvine lake

 

The taproom at O'Shea and BrewHouse SJC both have pretty consistently good taplists (https://www.osheabrewing.com/tap-room ; https://www.brewhousesjc.com/beer-list).
Los Molinos is a newer one that a buddy mentioned to me so that's on my list to visit. Delahunt too, I think they have a space now but I don't think it has food (I haven't been, but have enjoyed a couple of their beers).

 

Dog Pawrk Brewing in San Juan was not bad a'tall when I went there last December. Had a non-hazy IPA that was good, nice job of blending the hops (the hop names I don't recall) and a rather smooth stout. As a bonus, it's next door to Los Golondrinas, which has served mighty fine Mexican take-out for around 30 years or so in South County (try the chicken mole burrito and/or the carne asada taco). No problem eating your grub at Dog Pawrk.

Think Golondrinas closes a bit early, tho.

 

South County isn’t my cup of tea (or pint of West Coast IPA, ya feel me? ) I randomly stumbled into Station Craft in Dana Point and it wasn’t all that bad - still has that bro/pretentious South OC vibe though. Other than that, O’Shea’s tap room is nice and the employees are cool. Everything else is ho-hum.

 

I live near Dana point. Maybe since I live down here I didn’t know there is a bro/pretentious vibe. The rotating train sign is super rad at station craft. And I do enjoy their ipas and appreciate the surf films they play.

 

I used to go every year but it seems like the breweries pour more of their standard beers year after year. I remember Firestone would tap a special beer every hour as well as bottle logic. I last went a few years ago and haven’t been back.

it’s definitely fun but don’t expect too much in regards to “special” beers. With all the new breweries in South Cal it might be different and a good way to try new breweries out.

 

I would say it’s close enough by the coach house Heritage BBQ is amazing! It’s in San Juan by the mission. Just depends on what time you get there and what day. They can sell out of their meat. They are attached to Capo brewing which is also connected to bearded tang, so you can get both beers and sit on their patio.

 

My bad on that one. It’s a bit bro to me, but not super gnar gnar. I guess I feel like I’ve been served by dudes who probably know more about the latest swell than that of beer. Also, I redact my statement of it being “pretentious.” I actually suppose it’s just really nice

 

I’ve been smoking meat for awhile and agree that my bbq is usually as good or better than most restaurants. But I rarely bbq brisket because I don’t need 13 lbs of beef very often I think heritage is really good but it is expensive. I’ve learned to share sides with friends and just get meat in 1/4 or 1/2 lb amounts. Usually runs me like $20.

 

Looks like I have lunch plans for tomorrow as well...

 

I have but only once. The Torrance location is only 20 minutes from me versus 40 minutes. But, now I'll have an extra reason to head down there, I suppose

 

surfing and beer is basically my life outside my family. So, I probably don’t pick up that bro vibe and actually would rather talk about the next swell than beer.

 

Everywhere Everywhere Everywhere!!!

 

100% agree... if I'm ordering sides at a bbq joint nowadays its definitely to split them with others. Sometimes I don't order any at all and just order couple different meats, and I swear the person taking the order looks at me weird like there's an expectation for me to order sides as well.