San Diego is Brewing

Coronado Ferry to Coronado Brewing Company

I've really been enjoying the Coronado Brewing Company "Mermaid's Red Ale" which has been on tap at Whistlestop in South Park. Next to Karl Strauss "Red Trolley" it's my favorite San Diego Red Ale. Mermaid's Red Ale has a fresh, hoppy nose, kinda hinting towards a Pale Ale while retaining the nutty subleties of a Red Ale. It has just enough flavor and kick for those times when I'm in between a lager and an IPA. It's drinkable, pairs well with a variety of foods and is a perfect "before dinner warm up."

Which reminds me of a quick, easy and fun brewery tour that is free 'cept for the transpo and the beer of course. So easy in fact, I rate this tour a "Kramer" on the neurodiversity scale that runs from Lloyd Christmas to Einstein.

We're keepin' this simple, one brewery, Coronado Brewing Company. No, you're not gonna drive over the bridge cuz that's a pain. Just get yourself to the Broadway Pier at 1050 N. Harbor Drive 92101 or the marina behind the Convention Center at 600 Convention Way, 92101. Oh, I almost forgot, you're gonna take a ferry across San Diego Bay (http://www.flagshipsd.com/ferry-and-water-taxi/coronado-ferry). Check this out: 15 min boat ride, frequent departures (check schedule), see the bay, easy walk to brewery, only costs $8.50 round trip and it's loads of fun. 

For the Broadway Pier ferry, I suggest parking at the USS Midway lot at 910 Harbor Drive. It costs $7  bucks, is safe and an easy walk to terminal.  For the Convention Center Way terminal there is 3 hour metered parking nearby or park in the 5-Star Parking lot for $10 per day. For more parking info and directions go to http://www.flagshipsd.com/about-us/map-and-directions.

So, if everything goes well you'll ride the ferry across the bay and land in Coronado. Once there, it's so easy to get to the Coronado Brewing Company I'm almost embarrassed to give directions--but I will. Once off the boat, walk to end of pier, turn right onto walking path, walk to grassy park and turn left, walk through park to corner of First St. and Orange Ave., Cross First St. and walk on right side one block to Coronado Brewing Company located at 170 Orange Ave. 92118.

You're there! Now comes the fun part--beer. I could dazzle you with delightfully descriptive prose about the food and beer but I'm not, you're gonna have to experience it for yourself. Let's just say it's all good and leave it at that.

Taste, eat, enjoy the vibe and retrace your steps when you've had enough. Watch the time, the ferry doesn't run all night. Last departures just after 10 p.m. on weekends, earlier on weeknights.

Sprinter to San Diego Breweries, Stone Brewing, Lost Abbey, Oceanside Ale Works, Backstreet Brewery, San Marcos Brewery

Ride the Sprinter to San Diego Breweries

Interested in visiting some of north San Diego County's breweries? The North County Transit District’s “Sprinter” commuter train may be the answer to your transportation needs.  There are eight breweries located along Sprinter's Highway 78 corridor route (Oceanside to Escondido).   San Diego is Brewing will be focusing on a tour of five of those breweries—each located within a short to moderate walk from a Sprinter station.

The Sprinter is a sleek, quiet train that travels the 22-mile route in approximately 50 minutes.  For more information about the Sprinter, visit their website (link provided at the end of this article).  At their website, you will be able to view maps, schedules and other important information about riding the Sprinter.

If you start at the west end (Oceanside Transit Center) of the route and travel east, the first brewery that is on today’s tour is Oceanside Ale Works.  Get off the Sprinter at the Rancho del Oro Transit Center.  Upon disembarking at the Rancho del Oro Transit Center, it is approximately a seven tenths (0.7) of a mile walk east to the Oceanside Ale Works.

After your visit to Oceanside Ale Works, return to the Rancho del Oro Transit Center.  Board the Sprinter and head east to visit the tour’s next brewery stop - Backstreet Brewery.  Exit the train at the Vista Transit Center.  From the Vista Transit Center, it is a short ¼ mile walk south to the Backstreet Brewery. Backstreet Brewery is part of Lamppost Pizza, where the menu focuses on their signature pizzas, as well as pasta, sandwiches and appetizers.  When you are ready to experience the next brewery, head back to the Vista Transit Center and proceed eastbound.

The third stop on today’s tour will take you to San Marcos Brewery.  To visit the San Marcos Brewery, disembark at the Palomar College Transit Center.  From this station, it is about 1-1/3 miles southwest to the San Marcos Brewery. You will cross under Highway 78 on your way to San Marcos Brewery.  San Marcos Brewery also has extensive lunch, appetizer, happy hour and dinner menus. When you are ready to continue the tour eastward, return to the Palomar College Transit Center and head eastbound to the next station.

The Lost Abbey is the fourth stop on today’s tour.  To get to Lost Abbey, exit the train at the San Marcos Civic Center.  From this station, walk about one mile east and you will arrive at the Lost Abbey.  Return to the San Marcos Civic Center and continue eastbound for one last stop.

The final stop on today’s tour is Stone Brewing Company.  To access Stone Brewing Company, disembark at the Nordahl Road Transit Center and trek south a little over a mile from the station.  It is a bit of an uphill trek, but well worth it – especially if you have never visited this brewery.  Besides the beautiful outdoor landscaping, koi ponds and fire breathing stones, Stone has a very unique and diverse food menu.

Keep in mind that if you intend to ride the Sprinter back west to Oceanside, the last train of the evening leaves the Nordahl Road Transit Center around 7:30 pm, so plan accordingly!  Depending on your activity level (and how much you imbibe throughout this day), it will likely take you 20-30 minutes for the downhill walk back to the train station from Stone Brewing. 

Even though five breweries are spotlighted on today’s tour, it doesn’t mean that you need to visit all five in one day.  Keep in mind that the last train leaves the east end (in Escondido) around 7:30 pm.  It would probably take an early start and rather short stays at each brewery if you were to attempt visiting all five breweries in one day.  At most, my suggestion is to try two or three tastings in one day.  You may then enjoy the other breweries on a different day.  Whatever you decide, the Sprinter is a great way to leave the driving to someone else so that you can really enjoy your time experiencing some of the San Diego area’s finest breweries!

Article by James Omlid, San Diego is Brewing

Additional information:

Sprinter info:  www.gonctd.com/sprinter_intro.htm
Oceanside Ale Works:  www.oceansidealeworks.com
Backstreet Brewery:  www.lamppost-backstreet.com/Backstreet_Brewery.html
San Marcos Brewery & Grill:  www.sanmarcosbrewery.com
The Lost Abbey:  www.lostabbey.com
Stone Brewing Co:  www.stonebrew.com

Ride “The Coaster” to Pizza Port in Solana Beach

This week we are featuring an easy and convenient public transportation option to safely visit one of San Diego favorite craft breweries—Pizza Port!  All aboard “The Coaster” to the beachside city of Solana Beach!

The Coaster is a sleek passenger train that travels between downtown San Diego’s Santa Fe Depot and the coastal city of Oceanside.  Parking is available at all eight train stations along this route.  Eleven trains make the hour-long trip on weekdays and four trains run on Saturday.  For information about The Coaster, check out their website shown below.  Pay special attention to the schedules as the last train departs around the dinner hour on weekdays and approximately an hour earlier on Saturdays.

If you board The Coaster at the downtown San Diego station (Santa Fe Depot), it is a 35-minute scenic train ride to the Solana Beach station.  Once you disembark at the Solana Beach station, Pizza Port Solana Beach is located just to the west, across Coast Highway.  You can’t get more convenient than that!  Pizza Port has a great selection of beers on tap (check out their website below for their beer list!) as well as tasty morsels such as salads, spicy chicken wings, cheese sticks, portzels (giant handmade pretzels made from wholegrain beer crust topped with pizza toppings!) and of course, their signature pizzas.  Mmm, I’m getting hungry (and thirsty) just thinking about it!

While in Solana Beach, you may want to visit the art and home deco shops at the Cedros Avenue Design District.  This two and one half block district contains more than 85 shops and is located across the street from the Coaster station.  To reach the Cedros District from the Coaster station, walk south and cross Lomas Santa Fe Drive.  And of course, there’s always the beach!  The beach can be accessed by walking west along Lomas Santa Fe Drive, which becomes Plaza Street after crossing Coast Highway.

What a great way to enjoy the southern California coastline--a scenic train ride, a stroll down Cedros Avenue Design District, a walk on the beach topped off with world-class craft beer and California-style cooking at Pizza Port in Solana Beach! 

James Omlid, San Diego is Brewing

The Coaster: http://gonctd.com/coaster_intro.htm
Pizza Port, Solana Beach: http://www.pizzaport.com/solana.htm
Cedros Avenue Design District:  http://www.cedrosdesigndistrict.net/

San Diego Trolley and San Diego Breweries

Using The San Diego Trolley to Visit Local Breweries: Part One

The first part of this series will show travelers staying in downtown, Old Town, Mission Valley, the Gaslamp District or in hotels near the Convention Center how to use the San Diego Trolley to visit several local breweries.

From your location downtown/Gaslamp/Convention Center take any Orange Line or Blue Line train to the Old Town Transit Center. At the Old Town Transit Center, transfer to the Green Line and ride north and east to Mission Valley. For Mission Valley visitors we suggest beginning at the Morena/Linda Vista Green Line station that is a short drive from many Mission Valley hotels.

This unique trip will take you within short walks of four fabulous San Diego breweries.  As you disembark from the Old  Town Transit Center, the first brewery you will approach is Ballast Point Brewing Linda Vista.  This “first” Ballast Point Brewing location is also known as the Home Brew Mart.  After a short three-minute ride on the Green Line, you’ll want to get off at the first station – Morena/Linda Vista.  Ballast Point Brewing Linda Vista is located approximately 1/3 mile north of the station (see map)—a very easy and safe walk. To learn more about Ballast Point Brewing check out their website at: www.ballastpoint.com or call them at: (619) 295-2337 (BEER).  Their tasting counter is open from 11-7, Monday-Saturday.

After enjoying some tasting at Ballast Point, you may now return to the Morena/Linda Vista station and continue east on the Green Line.  The next brewery, or in this case “brew pub”, is Gordon Biersch.  This brewery/restaurant group operates roughly forty restaurants in sixteen states and Washington D.C.  They also bottle beer for Trader Joe’s at their San Jose facility.  To get to this Gordon Biersch brewery take the Green Line to either the Hazard Center (second stop after the Morena/Linda Vista station) or Mission Valley Center trolley station (3rd stop).  You’ll arrive at these stops within five or seven minutes respectively.  Gordon Biersch is located approximately ½ mile south (see map) of either station.  For more information about Gordon Biersch, visit their website: http://www.gordonbiersch.com/restaurants/index.php?pg=location&sub=loc&location_id=17 . You may also contact them via telephone at: (619) 688-1120.  Gordon Biersch is open until 1 am on Sun-Thurs and until 2 am on Fri and Sat.

If you are ready to continue east on your trip, return to the trolley station of your choice (Hazard Center or Mission Valley Center).  The next stop you may wish to make will be for Oggi’s Pizza and Brewing Company Mission Valley.  You’ll only need to ride the Green Trolley a short distance to reach the Fenton Parkway station stop – your disembarking location for the ¼ mile jaunt (see map) northwest to Oggi’s.  Contact info for Oggi’s - website: http://www.oggis.com/Locations/SanDiego.htm; phone: (619) 640-1072.

Returning to the Fenton Parkway trolley station, you are now able to access the fourth and final stop on this trolley trip, The Firehouse Brewing Co., which is located 1/3 mile north of the Mission San Diego trolley station (see map).  This station is the 2nd station after Fenton Parkway and is reached in just three minutes.  If you choose to visit all four of these breweries/brewpubs in one day, you may wish to make this your second stop of the day as they close early (7 pm, daily).  Then stop for a visit/dinner at Oggi’s and/or Gordon Biersch on the return trip.  Further information about the Firehouse Brewing Co. can be gathered at their website: www.firehousebrew.com, or by calling (805) 605-1416.

As you will see, the trolley is a great way to visit several excellent San Diego Breweries that feature some of San Diego’s select brews.  It’s only a 30 minute ride from downtown (Santa Fe Depot) to the Mission San Diego trolley station.  You will also have the opportunity to enjoy several short strolls totaling approximately three miles. These walks will offer you the opportunity to get to know San Diego from a different perspective. It will contribute to ridding yourself of some of those extra calories acquired after indulging in some superb food and drink treats!

To return to your point of origin Trolley station you’ll want to take the Green Line trolley to Old Town then switch to the Blue Line for the return.  Keep in mind that the last ride from Old Town is at 12:15 am so you’ll want to arrive at the Old Town station in time for that last trolley. For more information about the trolley, visit their website: http://www.sdmts.com/trolley/Trolley.asp or call: (619) 595-4949.

James Omlid and Lee Corbett, San Diego is Brewing

San Diego Brew News

"San Diego Drink About"--This Wednesday, January 20th

After a successful launch last month, the San Diego Drink About will now continue each month. Two buses from Brewery Tours of San Diego will cruise a loop through Normal Heights, North Park, South Park and beyond, stopping repeatedly at eight different craft-beer bars and restaurants. The purpose of the Drink About is to enjoy great craft-beer without the concern of driving.

Everyone is invited to hop on and hop off wherever and whenever they choose starting at about 7pm. And the best thing about Drink About: it’s absolutely free of charge.  

Included stops will be Blind Lady Alehouse, Small Bar, Livewire, Toronado, Sea Rocket, The Station, Hamilton's, & Ritual Tavern. Residents of Normal Heights may choose to start at Blind Lady and then board the bus as it heads west and south through Normal Heights and North Park. Residents of South Park may prefer starting at Hamilton’s and boarding the bus as it heads north.

Check out Drinkabout on Facebook for details and bus schedules!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DRINKABOUT/230138975798?v=app_2373072738

Ballast Point
The Beer Advocate “American Porter” Category is now topped by none other than
Ballast Point’s Victory at Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter. See the results for yourself at http://beeradvocate.com/top_beers?style=159 . Congratulations to Ballast Point!

Blind Lady Ale House
Blind Lady Ale House’s 1-year Anniversary is the last week of January. They are celebrating with amazing beers, delicious food, glassware events, a brewer's dinner and more. They are planning a week long party January 25-30 so mark your calendar.

O’Brien’s Pub
January marks the 16th Anniversary of O'Brien's Pub. On Friday the 15th, O’Brien’s will host a 15 beer Alpine Beer Company Extravaganza.  They will feature 15 different beers from Alpine to include Pure Hoppiness, Nelson, Duet, Exponential Hoppiness, O'Brien's IPA, Captain Stout, Good, Great and the new Imperial Porter. The Good will be on cask along with either the Imperial Porter or Duet (both be on tap as well) for a total of 15 different beers on the 15th and 16 total Alpine handles for their 16th Anniversary!  All of the beers will be on tap by 5 pm, most much earlier.  

AleSmith
AleSmith announces Decadence 2009 --Dunkel Weizenbock. In 2005, AleSmith first brewed Decadence® Anniversary Ale to celebrate their first decade in business. AleSmith releases Decadence every year, each edition showcasing a different style of beer. This year’s Dunkel Weizenbock debuted in December at Toronado San Diego. AleSmith plans to release Decadence 2009 for bottled distribution this month. The Alesmith brewery will have a limited amount of Decadence available on draft for tasting and growler fills.

AleSmith describes Decadence® 2009 as “a dark German-style Weizenbock weighing in at 9% abv.  A complex blend of dark fruit flavors is deliciously balanced by a yeast-derived spiciness, making this traditional Bavarian style a perfect fit with the other high-octane, fine crafted brews of Decadence years past.”