Recommendations for Sand Diego Breweries on ThanksGiving Weekend

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by Mofoa, Nov 24, 2015.

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  1. Mofoa

    Mofoa Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2014 California

    Headed to San Diego on 11/25 (Wednesday) staying at two different hotels to spread the love. One which is 1 mile from GreenFlash. And another which is in Mission Bay-across from Seaworld.

    Am I being too narrow minded to think Greenflash, Modern Times, Alesmith, Ballast Point?

    If I can only do 3 breweries--which should they be?

    Thanks all in advance!
     
    #1 Mofoa, Nov 24, 2015
  2. Dansac

    Dansac Pundit (912) Dec 6, 2014 California
    Trader

    If I had to narrow it down to three, excluding Alpine, I would have to say:

    Societe, Lost Abbey, Stone.

    AleSmith is fantastic, but you get only their regular stuff, and they have no guest taps. Stone has all their regular fleet, whatever seasonals they have going, and an excellent tap list with lots of local greatness. Plus the restaurant is amazing. Societe is definitely recommended to get a more new-wave kind of brewery: their hoppy beers have insanely fragrant profiles, and they just represent a more modern trend. Modern Times is a good option too, though I think Societe makes better beer.

    I personally am not a big fan of Ballast Point or Green Flash.
     
    #2 Dansac, Nov 24, 2015
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  3. SDReaper

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

    Ummm....coffee nut brown is the special grumbler fill at alesmith on wed. I can't say I would write them off as easily as you just did.
     
    #3 SDReaper, Nov 25, 2015
  4. HeavySpeedway

    HeavySpeedway Initiate (0) Jul 8, 2013 California

    Huh?
     
    #4 HeavySpeedway, Nov 25, 2015
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  5. SDReaper

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

    Yeah, pretty sure he hasn't been to alesmith in the past 5 months or so.
     
    #5 SDReaper, Nov 25, 2015
  6. HeavySpeedway

    HeavySpeedway Initiate (0) Jul 8, 2013 California

    For the last two years in the old place, Alesmith had a "right side of the board". Sure, sometimes it would have cask or nitro versions of their "regular stuff", but there were always a number of things that weren't bottled or distributed. There certainly were never any fewer unregular things than you'd see at Modern Times, for example.
     
    #6 HeavySpeedway, Nov 25, 2015
  7. Mofoa

    Mofoa Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2014 California

    Well, I do like Lost Abbey and Stone...have not had any Societe before...maybe that is worth looking into as well.

    Too many good beers to choose from is a nice problem to have ; )
     
    #7 Mofoa, Nov 25, 2015
  8. mayorQuimby

    mayorQuimby Zealot (633) Jun 5, 2009 Tennessee
    Trader

    Ballast point miramar is a fantastic experience; does not disappoint. Last time I went they had an incredible taplist including several variations on sculpin and victory at sea. They were also pouring a black and tan habanero sculpin/indra kunindra that was money.

    Modern Times in North Park with delivery tacos is bomb as well.
     
    #8 mayorQuimby, Nov 25, 2015
  9. DigginBeer

    DigginBeer Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2015

    Any of these (or others) happen to be open Thanksgiving day?
     
    #9 DigginBeer, Nov 25, 2015
  10. dcgunman

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

    Not from SD area. But been on many road trips to SD and Alpine. I would put Societe up there for sure. If you can swing it, Alpine. Modern Times.
     
    #10 dcgunman, Nov 25, 2015
  11. Dansac

    Dansac Pundit (912) Dec 6, 2014 California
    Trader

    Yep, I haven't been there in a few years. Sorry for that.

    Then yes, AleSmith is a great choice.
     
    #11 Dansac, Nov 25, 2015
  12. OctoberPest

    OctoberPest Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2015 Connecticut

    Just came back from a 10 day trip to San Diego and visited around 12 different breweries.

    Personally, i was surprised how much I loved Ballast Point. Everything I tasted was amazing and pineapple Sculpin was mind blowing. Ale Smith and Modern Times were also great. Alpine was fantastic but is quite a drive.

    Green Flash is fun, but not a must visit in my opinion. Societe was not impressive in my view.
     
    #12 OctoberPest, Nov 26, 2015
  13. Mofoa

    Mofoa Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2014 California

    Was able to hit Stone World Bistro and Gardens last night.

    My plan is to visit Lost Abbey Friday, then Ballast Point on Saturday. If I can visit another brewery, it will bonus.

    On a side note, took a walk near the beach...walked into a liquor store and found some Bell's Two Hearted Ale!!

    I have been waiting to try this...having a bottle right now..and it's everything I was hoping it would be.

    Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!
     
    #13 Mofoa, Nov 27, 2015
  14. FrogOut69

    FrogOut69 Initiate (0) Sep 24, 2013 California
    Trader

    I feel like... there may be a few threads about this? Have you tried searching?
     
    #14 FrogOut69, Nov 27, 2015
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