Alpine still worth a visit?

A 30-40 minute road trip? Hell ya.

 

This is from the Visiting San Diego guide

"Visiting Alpine: I already mentioned Alpine under "The Must Hits" but since "Is a drive to Alpine worth it?" is one of the common questions in the forum, it deserves a more detailed answer. Alpine is ~30 minutes from most parts of the county, and unlike North County which is 30 - 45 minutes from Downtown, there is nothing else to visit out there beer-wise. If you go to Alpine, you're spending an hour in the car (round-trip) for Alpine and Alpine alone. If you have the time, it is definitely worth it - the beer is good, the pub is a good spot to grab a relaxing lunch, and the special beers that have been coming out of the Alpine brewery like Hop Boxed, HFS, and High Kicks are excellent. All of the Nelson, Duet, Pure Hoppiness, and Hoppy Birthday you see around town will be from Green Flash - even if you order them at the Alpine pub - so the real appeal is the small batch stuff. If you're only in town for a day or two, missing out isn't the end of the world, but it's a unique experience compared to most other San Diego breweries."

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/visiting-san-diego-winter-2016.372021/

 

I'd go visit Miramar area and/or Toolbox instead, but that's not a knock on Alpine.

 

I need to revise the Visiting San Diego thread, but the short answer is that it's not really worth it unless there's something specific on tap that you're looking for. The last couple times I've gone to the new pub, it felt like it was a half step above a Chili's. It's still fine, but it's nowhere near what it used to be.

 

Wings and friends make the pub good. It is also a nice feeling when you convince yourself that you are eating a baby dragon based on the wing size.

 

Yeah, if you go to the new pub expecting that, you'll be very disappointed.

 

I member!

 

+1^^^ those wings make the trip worth it alone..... not to mention beer...

 

Alesmith
Societe
Alpine
New English
and lets just go full circle back to Alesmith but grab a burrito along the way

But in all seriousness Rip Current.

 

AleSmith
Modern Times
Societe
Pizza Port
Rip Current

Alpine could crack the top 5 when Keene Idea is on tap though.

 

Don't tease me.

 

It's probably because I love sours but Toolbox is consistently my favorite stop on SD trips. I think it'd be a shame to miss them. They are putting out some of the best sours and saisons in So Cal.

 

There is something almost quaint now about the alpine style of beer. I love them but they haven't really changed much besides using newer styles of hops. The base beer is otherwise the same. Doing a flight there the beers are very much the same after a while. I would recommend going to burning beard instead for amazing lineup of ipas and great setting.

And yes if you are craving alpine ipa go to green flash and enjoy whatever they have on tap.

As for the breweries to hit it depends on the style you want.

 

It's funny - as sad as I am about the fact that I'll never have real Nelson again... I'm just as sad that the food has gone downhill as well. Getting some brisket and fried pickles before I filled growlers was like performing some sacred San Diegan Ritual.

That's gone, and it's a bummer.