Looking for info for a traveling man.. Heading out to a wedding this weekend in California (I believe San Clemente is where the wedding is). I'm flying into LA, and basically have the whole day on Thursday with my wife to find something to do. Wanted to see if anybody could recommend any good breweries in that area, or even a place that just serves good craft beer for us to go to. I noticed that The Bruery in Placentia isn't too far away, so we may go do that - but wanted to check and see if anybody out there had any, "must go to" locations. Have never been to CA before, I just get to hear the stories about how godly their beer is. Thanks for the help.
Well, San Diego is the beer destination for Southern California. But if you're only in LA and only for a day, you'll probably be better off (if you can spare the driving time) hitting Orange County breweries. Still, if you're going to stick relatively close to LAX, hit up the Torrance area. Strand Brewing Monkish brewing Smog City Brewing Absolution Brewing Red Car (far from essential, but it is a brewpub, so... food) The Dudes' Brewing Company (I don't think their tap room is ready yet, but check) and still not far from there: El Segundo Brewing King Harbor Brewing Abigaile (restaurant with brewery) Non-brewery beer destinations in that area: Select Beer (liquor store and tasting room) Naja's Place (pier-side dive with massive number of taps - an institution around those parts)
Awesome, we will be in San Clemente most of the weekend. I've heard of Pizza Port, are they the ones that make the great IPA I've heard about (is it called Mongo?) Also - I'm a big stout/IPA guy, and have to admit that I have not heard of almost any of the breweries mentioned above - do any of these breweries stand out as the best over any other ones in terms of great beer? I'm looking for quality not quantity this weekend. Thanks guys I appreciate the quick feedback I've received already!
Smog City for IPAs and stouts. Monkish for Belgian style stuff. I would personally skip Red Car, Absolution, and Dudes (I thought they didn't have a tasting room). If you want a brewpub, go to Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach. GABF award winning best midsize brewpub. Fantastic IPAs and stouts. Maybe a 30 minute drive from Torrance.
If you're going to be in San Clemente, might as well head down to Escondido if you have the time to do so, and hit up Stone. Port (which makes Mongo) and Lost Abbey are also close by in San Marcos, and as others mentioned, definitely head to Pizza Port.
I notice that Stone has multiple locations. How is the one in Escondido - can I get growlers/special release beers there as well? Would love to visit Stone if I get the chance, just want to make sure it's worth the drive.
No, Port makes the low-quality beer Mongo. Pizza Port makes excellent IPAs though, you should visit. The San Clemente location also has some of the best stouts on draft as well.
Perfect, I will def. be visiting Pizza Port. Now driving from LA to San Clemente I am trying to determine if I'm going to stop in Torrance at Smog City, in Placentia at The Bruery, or keep going south to Escondido for Stone. Thank you all for the help.
If you've never been, Stone's very much worth the drive to Escondido. That's the main location, and they do growler fills (check their website for what's there).
If you're flying into LAX, and you're an IPA guy, then stop in at El Segundo Brewing, it's about 2 minutes from the airport, check their hours to see if they'll be open though. I'd also recommend Beachwood BBQ and brewing in Long Beach.
Four Points LAX also has a surprisingly solid beer selection if that's a spot the OP wants to swing by on the way in or out of town.
If you're big into IPA and thinking The Bruery you definitely need to go to Noble Ale Works. Great IPAs also Bottle Logic is another great place.
True that. . . .but you'll be paying $$'s for a pour. With tip I paid $11 for a 12oz pour of Sculpin. I'd hit Four Points only if your getting in late and staying their overnight. What time of the day will you be getting into LAX? El Segundo opens at 5pm Mon-Thur. Otherwise go down Sepulveda Blvd south to Whole Foods about 2 miles and stock up on bottles. Smog City is open 4pm Wed-Fri. Skip Monkish (right next to Smog). skip Strand and the others listed above (maybe the Dudes will be good when they open). Head down the 405 traffic jam to Long Beach for Beachwood BBQ & Brewing and relax and check out their awesome house beers and guest beers while enjoying their food. Happy hour food/price is good. If your heading to San Clemente the day you arrive then you may or will hit the f'd up 405 traffic. Especially around the 605/22 Fwy's in Seal Beach area. If so you can visit Beachwood Seal Beach for a bit before heading south. Note: At 11pm(most every night) till 5am the following day the 405 is closed from 605 to 22 for construction. So if you don't know the area for detours then your screwed. Plan accordingly. I would check out the LA/OC beer scene if you only have one day. And Beachwood LB, Noble Ale, the Bruery and Bottle Logic can be done in one day. Hit up Smog City and El Segundo on the way from LAX to San Clemente or on the way back to LAX time permitting. Theres also Bootleggers near the Bruery, Bottle Logic, etc. but lately they've been a miss or a mess. I would recommend Beach City Brewery before Bootleggers. Yes, I'm plugging my city HB's brewery. What the hell….. If you do go down to San Diego hit up Stone Escondido, Lost Abbey/Port, Rip Current (for sure!) and maybe the Belching Beaver. All in the same area. If you have time then Societe. But thats a long day.
I know this has been posted, but for simplicity purposes does anyone reading this know the domestic travel rules with Alcohol - I'm flying via Southwest. I believe I can put any amount of beer in my checked bag if I want - correct? Just want to make sure I don't overdue it when purchasing any bottles to take home. Again, thank you all for the advice - I have a feeling it's going to be a good day on Thurs, and I get in around 11 AM PST, so I have a full day of hunting ahead of me. I just will have to be mindful of my wife and her patience (or lack thereof)
Just make sure it's packed well. And you have to adhere to the airline's weight restrictions but you can put as much as you want in your checked bag.
Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach is really the best option overall. That is their main brewing facility/restaurant. If you go to their small location in Seal Beach they will have a very nice guest taplist but not many of their own beers. I would make going their Long Beach location the biggest point of emphasis on your Thursday beer hop. Maybe after that just keep heading south and hit some of the central Orange County breweries like the Bruery or Noble Aleworks in the late afternoon (think both places open around 5'ish). When you get down to San Clemente go to Pizza Port for sure. And if you're going all the way down to the Stone, you may as well travel the extra hour down to Alpine. Just kidding, but someone would have seriously said that.
FYI-Was at BW SB yesterday and if your looking for their bottle list, it is not ready yet. They are updating the list with new prices and probably won't be ready for another few weeks.
