Alpine still worth a visit?

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by robear, Jan 6, 2017.

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  1. robear

    robear Initiate (0) May 24, 2014 Wisconsin

    Lived in SD for a long time, used to visit Alpine a few times a month to eat some tacos and pick up bottles.

    Is it still worth a visit to the original brewery/new pub to have some food and beer? We're headed out to SD for a week in Feb and I'm trying to decide whether or not to make the drive to Alpine.
     
  2. dcgunman

    dcgunman Pooh-Bah (2,682) Jul 1, 2009 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    A 30-40 minute road trip? Hell ya.
     
  3. SDReaper

    SDReaper Pooh-Bah (2,174) Aug 15, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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/
     
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  4. robear

    robear Initiate (0) May 24, 2014 Wisconsin

    Thanks- wanted to get a bit more specific. As someone who frequented the original pub, I've already experienced great Alpine beer & food. This time, I'm wondering if the afternoon would be better spent exploring breweries and restaurants that have popped up in SD proper in the two years since we left.

    So my more specific question would be: Which is a better option- a trip to Vista/O'side to visit Toolbox/Bagby's/various Pizza Ports/other new breweries, or a trip out to Alpine for food and maybe an Alpine-brewed beer or two?
     
  5. Majikow

    Majikow Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2015 California
    Trader

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

    robear Initiate (0) May 24, 2014 Wisconsin

    I get that. We have to make a few tough beer-related decisions on this trip. :wink:

    Our usual haunts are Live Wire, Hamilton's, Toronado, and Monkey Paw. Looking forward to trying both South Park & North Park Brewing, Fall, and a few others in SD proper.
     
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  7. Xul

    Xul Pooh-Bah (2,139) May 18, 2008 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
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  8. SDReaper

    SDReaper Pooh-Bah (2,174) Aug 15, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
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  9. robear

    robear Initiate (0) May 24, 2014 Wisconsin

    Remember that hole in the wall where all those awesome meats came from? And the muffin tin taster trays. OG Alpine.
     
  10. Xul

    Xul Pooh-Bah (2,139) May 18, 2008 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

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

    robear Initiate (0) May 24, 2014 Wisconsin

    I would expect it to be the same level of disappointment that I feel when I see year old bottles of Hoppy Birthday on the shelf in Wisconsin liquor stores.
     
  12. BeerBaron666

    BeerBaron666 Pundit (772) May 13, 2009 California
    Trader

    I member!
     
  13. Twomsr619

    Twomsr619 Initiate (0) Feb 10, 2014 California

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

    robear Initiate (0) May 24, 2014 Wisconsin

    I'm sure this exists somewhere but give me your top 5 SD County breweries right now...
     
  15. SDReaper

    SDReaper Pooh-Bah (2,174) Aug 15, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
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  16. wilymobastardo

    wilymobastardo Savant (1,012) Jan 12, 2015 California
    Trader

    AleSmith
    Modern Times
    Societe
    Pizza Port
    Rip Current

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

    SDReaper Pooh-Bah (2,174) Aug 15, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Don't tease me.
     
  18. PG2G

    PG2G Initiate (0) Dec 26, 2011 California

    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.
     
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  19. sdhopaddict

    sdhopaddict Devotee (373) Oct 9, 2016 California

    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.
     
  20. tyrsis

    tyrsis Savant (1,074) Mar 13, 2009 California
    Trader

    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.
     
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