The craft beer scene is big on the West Coast so make sure to stop by at least one brewery in the Golden State. As there are several, I am sure you can find one that fits your taste, but one of my favorites is Port Brewing Company so try to check it out if you are in the area!
Why Port Brewing?
Well first of all...because of the beer. As a true German I am a fan of their Amigo Lager and their Port Pilsener (yeah, Lager ftw!). The latter contains Spalt hops, which grows south of my college town Nuremberg. But their IPAs are really good too! If you happen to be there around June, try their Hop-15 which won several awards - or their Anniversary Ale.
Unlike other successful breweries (we're looking at you, Green Flash, right. at. you.) they still have a great down-to-earth atmosphere in their San Marcos location. It's a great place to chill and hang out and have a beer (or several).
Lost in the name game?
Even though the brewery is called Port Brewing Company, they also produce beer under the name Lost Abbey. The website compares it with Taco Bell and KFC - which I didn't know were owned by the same company, but at least I am earning some #americacreds for that - and I guess it makes sense to release their Belgian-style beers under a more European name.
Also, Port Brewing used to be a spin-off of Pizza Port several years ago but they are very different companies now. At some point the kid grew up and wanted to go its own way. Oh and also, the Port Brewing guys aren't Stone Brewing, they just took over their old brewhouse.
Phew. A confused German girl with just very limited West Coast beer experience took a while to figure that out.
As a true Bavarian and to wrap this post up, I have a very Bavarian toast for you guys, which means as much as "One, two, drink!" (yeah, it's very sophisticated):
“Oans, zwoa, g’suffa!”
Kate recommends: A visit at Port Brewing goes well with a copy of A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage. As throughout human history, drinks have done way more than just quench thirst, the author identifies six of them that had a surprisingly pervasive influence on the course of human history. No need to ask that one of them is beer. You may never look at your drink the same way again.