New OC Breweries Worth Visiting?

I mean Green Cheek is technically only a year or so old.

If you're in Costa Mesa Gunwhale is decent and Barley Forge is somewhat old fashioned so you won't get any hazy milkshakes there. Also you got Riip up the way on PCH.

 

Agree with the FrostMan on Gunwhales if your doing lunch in Costa Mesa. You can stop in for a quick one in done at Barley Fart since its across the street from GunWhale. Bootleggers 2 is somewhere in that area too. But if you have your heart set on Anaheim go to Unsung and Stereo. Otherwise GC, BL, Bruery and Nobles are a sure bet.

 

should just have lunch at Barley Forge. great brats and sandwiches, and good beer

 

[QUOTE="And @Black_Rider good to know about BF's food, thanks! I'm actually headed down that way for lunch someplace else, but will keep in mind for the future.[/QUOTE]

That area is filled with awesome Japanese (ramen, sushi, etc.) restaurants, some within walking distance from Gunwhale, which I would opt for over Barley Forge's food (that is, if I were to give BF my business at all, which for reasons that are obvious to many, I will not).

 

That area is filled with awesome Japanese (ramen, sushi, etc.) restaurants, some within walking distance from Gunwhale, which I would opt for over Barley Forge's food (that is, if I were to give BF my business at all, which for reasons that are obvious to many, I will not).[/QUOTE]

I'm a big Japanese / ramen fan but not familiar with Costa Mesa. please give me some recs (feel free to pm)

also, how come people don't like the BF? I've only been a few times but enjoyed their beers and food

 

I would say that Barley Forge is worth the visit. Their Brut IPA is pretty stellar and their core coconut rye stout is always a nice treat, especially with this chilly weather. Grandpa Tractor is the best Dortmunder this side of the Atlantic and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Gunwhale was a miss for me. The last time I went (over a year ago) their IPAs were all diacetyl bombs.

 

I have been to Network many years ago, probably the smallest tasting room ever, their beers are inoffensive but forgettable.
Good Beer Company is a nice place to go too, i havent to their area for many months though.
Tustin Brewing is in that general area too but new they are not.

 

I'll send you a PM with some good recs - i am not advocating avoiding BF, but just wanted to point out that some folks do.

 

The new TAPS Brewery & Barrel Room in Tustin is definitely worth a visit.

 

Don't miss the food there, outstanding and reasonably priced.

 

I'm not a fan of Legends, thought the beer was meh and one of them was even a butter bomb. Unsung and Stereo were pretty solid the handful of times I’ve visited both breweries. Stereo more often than Unsung since the tasting room is close to Bruery Terreux and Bottle Logic.

I haven't been to Hoparazzi since it first opened but a few doors down is Asylum Brewing. They're relatively new but the beers have been pretty good, though nothing outright outstanding as of right now.

I am one of those folks who avoid Barley Forge. The times I've gone it seems like there has been something off with the consistency of their pours. No two pours were alike and it was maddening. Maybe they’ve changed since then.

Phantom is...fine? The beer isn't terrible. They're just there?

 

Definitely a vote for Unsung ... solid stuff there

 

Didn't want to start a thread just to post about Barley Forge, but apparently their front of house staff and head brewer collectively quit recently.

That area of Costa Mesa has recently seen two new breweries open with another Bootleggers and Salty Bear.

 

Looks to be like something spicy went down.

 

Well, shit... I always liked their Dormunder.