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miamibeerscene · 8 years ago

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Beercation Destination: San Diego

February 23, 2017

In San Diego, if you were to visit 10 breweries a day for a solid month, you still wouldn’t have seen them all, as surely five new would have opened up in that short time. Simply driving around the vast county, you’re just as likely to smell beer being brewed as you are to inhale the intoxicating scents of the Pacific Ocean.

A trip to this West Coast beer city and the sprawling county surrounding it can be hard to plan because there are so many options. As someone who visits multiple times a year, here are some tips to create the perfect San Diego beercation.

(MORE: Uinta Brewing Company Launches Beer Honoring the National Parks)

Start Planning Around a Marquis Event

Since San Diego’s weather is freakishly nice year round, it’s easy to plan a trip during the offseason. With SD Beer Week happening in early November, one could easily skip this entire post and show up with bag in hand, have a crazy fun week, and somehow mysteriously end up in Tijuana jail a few days later, complete with a new hop nugget tattoo on your lower back. The week is brimming with elaborate pairing dinners, tap takeovers, and a guild festival that, just like San Diego, is difficult to try everything.

If November doesn’t jive with your turkey, some other events to plan around include The Mission Valley Craft Beer & Food Festival (April), Modern Times Festival of Dankness (or Funk!) (August), and SD Rhythm & Brews (May). A personal favorite is the Brewbies fest which takes place in North San Diego at Bagby Brewing (February); the event that is adored by industry and reachable by train.

Chris Cramer, co-founder of Karl Strauss at their 28th anniversary. “Give me just a tiny bit of the Pappy barrel aged stout so there’s more for the guests.” (Credit: Greg Nagel)

Brewery anniversary parties are also great to plan a trip around. Stone Brewing’s anniversary, which falls in late February, is overflowing with rarities from within their cellar and guest breweries tend to bring their black tie beers to help celebrate.

(MORE: 9 Weird Brewery Names and the Stories Behind Them)

San Diego Beercation: Where to Stay

North Park is a great neighborhood all on its own, with 30th Street being the central hub of great beer bars, brunch spots and stellar breweries. The historic LaFayette Hotel is situated amongst all this, and is a great jumping off point with easy access to the downtown gaslamp district, beaches, the zoo and other brewery hotspots. The hotel was built in 1946, yet still maintains its poolside bungalow charm. Nothing is more relaxing than cracking a brewery-fresh crowler in a chaise lounge next to their Olympic-sized pool, only to have an impromptu poolside bottle share with traveling room-neighbors from abroad.

The LaFayette Hotel in San Diego. (Credit: Greg Nagel)

So, with your marquis event and a place to stay, what else are you going to do? Grab a free West Coaster Magazine (basically everywhere beer is poured and in your hotel) and get your fingers dirty with newsprint until something catches your eye. The beer map and directory is in the back, which is your guide to what is fresh and in season.

Starting your day in North Park is poised with possibility. Brunch at nearby Small Bar for $15 includes a full breakfast with a choice of beer (Pliny the Elder on draft, anyone?), a foot tall bloody mary, or even a local favorite michelada (beer bloody mary). Give your morning yawns a kick in the pants and put some money in their juke box, which is filled with all Bowie you can handle.

Bellies full, a stroll down 30th street is always filled with fun and photo ops. The juxtaposition of urban art, yoga mat-carrying locals and beer touristas makes for a sense of belonging. Stop in a store called ‘Simply Local’ to grab some seriously cool beer art by local artist Rudy aka “Craft Beerd.” and grab his $9 deck of San Diego Brewery playing cards to keep you busy while brewery hopping. While checking out, you must buy some local nuts made by North Park Nuttery. They’re created with locally-made beer, and shockingly taste like the beer they’re made of.

A couple doors down, Bottlecraft is the only bottle shop you need to stop in; be sure to stock up with treats to take home.

Whether or not you’re craving beer or coffee, Modern Times Flavordome has you covered. House-roasted coffee and 16 taps of beer, including Black House, their eye-opening coffee stout with house-roasted beans. Mike Hess Brewery and Fall Brewery make up my other must-visit breweries in the area, each with their own pint-worthy charm and incredible neighborhood vibes.

Within 3.5 miles of 30th street are four of the area’s best beer bars. For an epic trip, start at Blind Lady Alehouse, move to Tiger Tiger!, then Toronado San Diego, finishing with a quick #2 city bus ride to Hamilton’s Tavern in South Park. Lunch, and lots of water, is recommended at any of these places.

(MORE BEERCATIONS: Los Angeles | Charleston, South Carolina)

How to Get Around

In San Diego, it’s surprisingly easy to reach the best beer spots without driving yourself. I find a combination of bike rental, Uber, train and trolley are all fast, inexpensive and safe to reach most places. For all others, I reluctantly suggest a brewery tour. Although some might like the fast-paced big-bus tourist lifestyle, I prefer to mosey at my own pace and set things up in advance.

YouTuber Maxnosleeves on the HotShots Brewery Tour in San Diego. (Credit: Greg Nagel)

One service I highly recommend is the HotShots Brewery Tour group, which shuttles you around in a swank smaller-sized retired fire battalion wagon. Local beer, food and knowledge is dropped on their friendly experience, complete with phone chargers and plug-in stereo jack to jam out to your own tunes while stuck in traffic. Only drawback? No potty on board.

To Escondido, or Escondidon’t? Take the Hop Highway!

Some areas of San Diego are well out of the way, so much so that they have opened more convenient taprooms and restaurants within your travel bubble. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens is a must for any first time San Diego beer traveler, even though their location near the airport at Liberty Station is also beautiful. The Escondido location is a place one can take their mom on Mother’s Day, a wedding party, or just a random day to chill at this destination brewery. Reservations for dining and tours is highly suggested. Protip: BYO ketchup.

Stone brewer Kris Ketcham is the real brite tank sample hero (Credit: Greg Nagel)

With fresh gargoyle in your belly, hop along highway 76 for some incredible pockets of beer that are destinations on their own. San Marcos is a short ways away and is home to Port Brewing/ The Lost Abbey, Rip Current Brewing, and Churchill’s Pub & Grille, three San Diego landmarks. Vista is just a little bit up the road along the 76 with a brewer’s guild of its own, including Iron Fist and Belching Beaver. Just before you hit the ocean, the hop highway drops you off in scenic Oceanside, which quickly becoming a brewery hotbed on its own. Locals love Urge Gastropub & Whiskey Bank, complete with adjoining Mason Ale Works for their incredible burgers. Nearby, Bagby Brewing, ran by Jeff Bagby, is probably one of the most decorated GABF winners in history at his tenure with Pizza Port. His attention to detail with lower-ABV beers is remarkable.

Speaking of Pizza Port, Carlsbad is home to most of their operation with a brewpub, a bottle shop, and their huge canning operation in Bressi Ranch, which is a short drive away from Legoland theme park if traveling with children.

(MORE: Coolship Fever in American Brewing)

The San Diego Beer Pioneers

For every craft beer pioneer brewery in San Diego, there are usually several must-visit places around it. Set your GPS to Stone, Alesmith, Coronado, Pizza Port, Karl Strauss, and even White Labs yeast bank. Once there, it’s easy to find a few spots you have never heard of via Yelp, Untappd, or even Google Maps’ “nearby feature” on the phone app.

Operation Beeramar

Miramar is more than just a Marine base surrounded by fast food and furniture stores; it’s home to one brewery that has its own street named after it: Alesmith Brewing Company. The big brewing operation has forged the highly regarded Speedway Stout, and the three-time GABF gold medal winningest Barleywine, Ol’ Numbskull. Adding to their big beer program is a unique barrel blending experience called Anvil and Stave, which is sort of like a beer speakeasy, allowing visitors to create unique tastes on each visit. For the baseball fan, be sure to check out their Tony Gwynn museum after a sip of the bright and hoppy .394 Pale Ale, which the ball player personally put his stamp of approval on.

Alesmith Anvil & Stave in Miramar, California. (Credit: Greg Nagel)

Alesmith’s original brewery is a short trip away, but now houses Mikkeller San Diego. Ex-Alesmith head brewer Bill Batton opted to stay with his storied brewhouse, making the transition to make the Copenhagen-based gypsy brewer’s beers. I find their freshness and vibe to be electric among San Diego’s finest, offering new takes on copycat classics.

Finishing the Beeramar trifecta, I like to visit something new while in the area. My last visit included Little Miss Brewing at only 20 days old. With a WWII bunker vibe and legit dart boards, the flight of bright and hoppy beers were the bomb, just like their logo.

Food & Nightlife During a San Diego Beercation

When beer touring, the need for food can become a necessity, but a little planning ahead can have you eating like the locals do, and hopefully squeeze in a couple fine-dining experiences into the trip. Touristy areas like Seaport Village and Old Town might be fun to shop, but the dining and beverage experience is somehow stuck in the 90’s. A couple miles from Old Town, get your burrito fix at Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop. Fish tacos are also indigenous to the region and usually a safe bet on any local menu. Type “fish tacos” into Yelp, and don’t be shocked to see a few pages of 4-5 star results.

(MORE: Why You Should Drink Beer Fresh)

Impromptu stop at Burning Beard Brewing on the way to Alpine, great jukebox and beer. (Credit: Greg Nagel)

Little Italy offers several gastropub experiences with hip noun & verb type of names, but Craft & Commerce made me feel most at home. Their modern naturalist ambiance and surprisingly accessible menu is as tasty as it is Instagram-worthy. Plus, they have my favorite San Diego brewery on tap: Societe Brewing. If by chance you can’t make it out to their taproom, be sure to try their beer around town. You can thank me later.

As San Diego continues to solidify itself as one of the nation’s best beer spots, the thing that keeps me coming back is its ability to keep morphing into something better than it once was. It’s not just the quantity of breweries and bars that makes a place great, it’s the history, the landscape, and the passionate producers and local fans that consume beer that truly make for great beercation.

The post Beercation Destination: San Diego appeared first on Miami Beer Scene.

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Posted on - March 11, 2018 at 06:35PM Via Cool Material: “While you were pining for a trip to San Diego or Portland, the capital of Virginia quietly became one of the best beer destinations in the country—maybe the best” #CheersVA #VABeer #VACraftBeer http://bit.ly/2tBPIxZ

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johnboothus · 5 years ago

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The 35 Most Important Breweries of the Decade (2010s)

Beer runs on a different timeline than other beverages. In wine years, a decade is a fraction of a family-owned vineyard’s story. The same period is barely enough time to age a decent bourbon. But in the last 10 years, beer — craft beer, especially — has undergone seismic shifts.

A once-singularly flavored fizzy beverage became a movement. The product itself aimed for more: more flavor, more experimentation, and more community-minded business practices. It also became more than a beverage, as craft beer drinkers rallied around beer as a moral and political choice.

Since 2010, beer has quenched our thirst and become part of our personal identities. And like all of us, it’s constantly changing. The beginning of the decade brought us Hill Farmstead Brewery, Tired Hands, and Tree House, and with them came the advent of the New England-style IPA. We’ve seen the return of centuries-old forgotten styles like gose and gruit, and brewers tirade against, then excessively embrace, adjuncts in the form of milkshake IPAs and pastry stouts.

In 2010, there were 1,759 breweries operating in the U.S. “Beer lovers increased their appreciation for American craft brewers and their beers in 2010,” Paul Gatza of the Brewers Association said in a press release at the time. “Craft brewers’ stories resonate with Americans who are choosing small, independent companies making delicious beers in more than 100 different styles.”

There are nearly 7,500 breweries operating in the U.S. today. Of course, not all of them can change the course of craft beer history. For that, we tip our hats to the breweries below: the 35 most important breweries of the decade.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Chico, Calif. Est. 1980

It’s hard to believe Sierra Nevada was around long before many craft beer fans were born. Sierra Nevada pioneered hop-forward ales with its flagship Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and with the invention of an enviable dry-hopping mechanism called the Hop Torpedo that many other brewers have envied and copied. In 2014, Sierra Nevada opened an East Coast facility in Mills River, N.C., near Asheville, signaling to similar brands that East Coast drinkers deserved better, fresher beer. In 2016, that location became the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum status-certified production brewery in the U.S., showing Sierra Nevada’s sustainability leadership, too. This legacy brand continues to innovate with beers like Hazy Little Thing IPA, ranked by VinePair as the best beer of 2018.

Bell’s Brewery Comstock, Mich. Est. 1985

The same year Coca-Cola introduced New Coke and CDs were invented, Bell’s Brewery opened its doors in Kalamazoo, Mich. Along with being one of few breweries to make a sought-after brown ale, Bell’s has an almost mystical ability to stay on top. While millennial beer geeks wade through countless lactose-laden hazy IPAs, Bell’s Brewery’s Two Hearted Ale (“ale!” — it wasn’t even called an IPA!) continues to dominate more experienced beer lovers’ lists. In 2019, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) ranked Two Hearted Ale the No. 1 beer in the country for a third consecutive year. Bell’s Brewery’s Hopslam Ale (again, “ale!”) placed seventh, and Bell’s Brewery as a whole was named the best brewery.

Deschutes Brewery Bend, Ore. Est. 1988

Although few people pronounce its name correctly, Deschutes (hence the 2019 beer release, Da Shootz!) is the epitome of old-school cool. Its flagship beer is a porter (Black Butte Porter). It’s majority-owned by its original founder, Gary Fish, and his family, and announced an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) in 2013. (This means employees can gain company shares correlating to their time working with the company.) It won sustainability awards in 2015 and 2016. And, after reevaluating plans to expand to the East Coast, it’s stayed afloat in the most treacherous time for brands of its size.

New Belgium Brewing Fort Collins, Colo. Est. 1991

Though it sold to Japan’s Kirin brewery in 2019 (and, at press time, is in the midst of a seriously disturbing controversy), New Belgium blossomed in the 2010s. Fat Tire grabbed beer drinkers’ attention in the 1990s, yet the amber ale didn’t even hint at what was to come. New Belgium went on to run one of the country’s best sour beer programs; a money-making series of Voodoo Ranger IPAs; and in 2019, it brought us Mural Agua Fresca, one of the most refreshing beers we’ve tasted to date.

Lagunitas Brewing Company Placentia, Calif. Est. 1993

Before it sold to Heineken in 2015, Lagunitas was associated with weed culture and California love (although its founder and some of its beer originate in Chicago). Yet “sellout” or not, Lagunitas IPA is still one of the most reliable IPAs on tap across the nation. If there’s a slim list at a dive bar, chances are Lagunitas will be on it, and we’ll take it over other mass-produced IPAs any day.

Left Hand Brewing Longmont, Colo. Est. 1993

Left Hand gave us Milk Stout right before the new millennium. In 2011, it gave us the gift of Milk Stout Nitro in bottles. Then, in 2017, Milk Stout Nitro became available in cans (take that, Guinness!). Now nitro beers are everywhere, and we have Left Hand to thank for that.

Avery Brewing Boulder, Colo. Est. 1993

Avery is a brand that you may not realize you’re fond of until you think about the impact it’s had on your life. An early arrival to the U.S. craft brewing scene, it still makes one of the best American wheat beers, White Rascal. Its barrel-aged program occasionally wows us with labels like Bon Bon Cerise, one of our favorite barrel-aged stouts and beers of the year. It also makes concerted efforts to keep up with the times, with its on-trend Hazyish IPA and Avery Rocky Mountain Rosé.

Allagash Brewing Portland, Maine Est. 1994

Not many breweries can claim their first beer remains their top seller 25 years later — an especially impressive feat when that beer was initially rejected. “People hadn’t seen cloudy beer like this with authentic Belgian yeast strains and spice,” Rob Tod, Allagash founder, told VinePair about Allagash White. “The downside was that it was impossible to sell.”

With skill and perseverance, Allagash became the first to plant its flag in Portland, Maine as one of the best beercation destinations in the country. Beyond that, it was the first American brewery to incorporate a coolship into its fermentation process (courtesy some mentorship at Cantillon), going on to make some of the best mixed-fermentation beers in the States. And in 2019, Tod won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer.

Allagash River Trip Belgian-style session ale was named VinePair’s best beer of 2019.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Milton, Del. Est. 1995

“Off-centered ales for off-centered people,” Dogfish Head’s company ethos, may sound trite in the upcoming decade. But in the ‘90s and through the 2010s, it was meaningful for many craft beer drinkers. Dogfish Head has stayed relevant through two and a half decades with its friendly attitude, constant flavor experimentation, and the crusading of charismatic frontman and founder, Sam Calagione. In 2016, Dogfish Head launched SeaQuench, it’s deliciously thirst-quenching tart ale that’s become the best-selling sour beer in the nation. And in 2017, Calagione was honored with a James Beard Award as the Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional of the Year after seven consecutive nominations.

In one of the biggest beer news stories of the year (and perhaps even decade), Dogfish Head merged with Boston Beer Co. in 2019. This means more of the country will have access to the beers that we’ve enjoyed all these years.

Ballast Point San Diego, Calif. Est. 1996

Ballast Point has had one of the biggest splashes in the craft beer world over the last decade. First, fans freaked out over Sculpin IPA (it tasted like grapefruit!); then were shocked even more by its series of fruit flavors (it’s made with grapefruit!?). Ballast Point continued to surprise us, selling to Constellation Brands for a jaw-dropping $1 billion in 2015. It even opened a location in Disneyland. Out of what seemed like nowhere, in November 2019, Ballast Point changed hands from Constellation to the virtually unknown Kings and Convicts Brewing Co. outside Chicago. Although Ballast Point’s future is hazy, (murky, even), we’ll never forget the effect this brand had on the decade.

Firestone Walker Brewing Company Paso Robles, Calif. Est. 1996

Firestone Walker started strong and saw success throughout the decade with its array of award-winning IPAs, such as its multiple-medaling Union Jack IPA. Meanwhile, it rocked out fruited sours and lagers, too. In 2015, Firestone Walker was acquired by Duvel, a stellar Belgian brewer, and the following year, Firestone Walker opened a pilot brewery and restaurant in Venice, Calif., and broke ground on another major brewhouse expansion in Paso Robles, completed in 2017. In 2019, Firestone Walker won our hearts with Rosalie, a rose-colored beer co-fermented with juice from local Paso Robles wine grapes and hibiscus — “the rosé lover’s beer,” brewmaster Matt Brynildson said. We’re excited to see what’s coming next.

Stone Brewing Escondido, Calif. Est. 1996

Arrogant by design, Stone Brewing based its business on in-your-face branding. As much as this can be irritating, there’s no denying Stone’s American-made success.

Three Floyds Brewing Munster, Ind. Est. 1996

We can sum up Three Floyds in three words: Dark Lord Day. An unpretentious brewery in the unlikely town of Munster, Ind., brought together the craft beer and heavy metal worlds, while also introducing one of the first beer release day festivals for its Dark Lord “demonic Russian-Style Imperial Stout” — an event that has attracted up to 10,000 visitors in one day. Epitomizing extremes, Three Floyds is equally revered for its in-your-face Zombie Dust IPA.

Victory Brewing Company Downingtown, Pa. Est. 1996

Golden Monkey. Hop Devil. Prima Pils! If you weren’t drinking these three brands in the 2010s, you weren’t drinking craft beer. Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet opened Victory’s doors in 1996 to celebrate and recreate German and other European brewing traditions. They introduced much more than that. In 2014, Victory opened its production facility in Parkesburg, Pa., from where it continues to innovate, distributing its beers in 33 states across the U.S.

Russian River Brewing Santa Rosa, Calif. Est. 1997

Rare as it may be to actually drink Russian River’s beer — you’ll be hard-pressed to find its famous Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, or other brands outside the brewery locations — there’s no denying these beers have consistently been part of the craft beer conversation over the last decade and more. In 2018, Pliny the Younger’s release brought 12,500 visitors to Sonoma County, generating $3.4 million.

Russian River’s history has been told again and again, but the brand and its friendly-faced owners (husband-and-wife duo, Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo) are still out there creating new beer experiences and helping the community in every way they can.

Founders Brewing Grand Rapids, Mich. Est. 1997

It’s impossible to ignore the influence Founders has had on the craft beer business. Sadly, this took a turn for the worse at the end of the decade, with the brewery’s recent racism issue and lawsuit outweighing our ability to support the brand. For more on this topic, read our coverage here.

But before it made national news for its flawed business practices, Founders changed the way we drink beer. In 2011, it launched All Day IPA, effectively creating the session IPA category and influencing countless spin-offs and light-in-alcohol, full-flavored ales. This trend continues to surge today. In 2013, Founders introduced the 15-pack of All Day IPA, setting yet another trend in the industry.

Live Oak Brewing Austin, Texas Est. 1997

Austin is one of the best places in the country to drink lager. And though that’s largely due to its German and Czech immigrant history, in modern times it was Live Oak that led the pack of what’s now become one of the best cities for craft lager in the country.

The Alchemist Stowe, Vt. Est. 2003

The Alchemist is not only one of the pivotal members of the beer industry, but of the entire drinks industry this decade. The family-owned brand launched in 2003 by John and Jen Kimmich introduced its legendary limited-release Heady Topper Double IPA in 2011. IPAs, and the industry, have never been the same.

Toppling Goliath Decorah, Iowa Est. 2007

In 2015, VinePair named Toppling Goliath the best brewery in its state. In 2016, RateBeer (pre-ZX Ventures) ranked Toppling Goliath’s Pompeii IPA the top IPA in the state. And in 2019, VinePair ranked King Sue DIPA among the 25 most important IPAs right now. Clearly, this brewery tops beer nerds’ bucket lists again and again.

Cigar City Brewing Tampa, Fla. Est. 2007

Cigar City was founded in 2007, started producing beer in Tampa in 2009, and sold to the CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective in 2016. One of the top 10 craft breweries in the country by volume, Cigar City was the fastest-growing top 50 brewery in 2018, according to the Brewers Association. Additionally, its Jai Alai IPA is one of the country’s top-selling beers; its Maduro Brown Ale won a Great American Beer Festival gold medal in 2018; and its Hunahpu imperial stout has its own festival.

Cigar City started strong and has only gotten stronger. The tropical-themed brewery continues to release new brands we love, including its Guayabera Pale Ale in 2019.

Revolution Brewing Chicago, Ill. Est. 2008

Chicago has lots of beloved breweries, but by far and away Revolution has had the biggest impact on the craft beer business there, serving as a blueprint for some of our other favorite brands. By the end of 2018, Revolution’s home of Chicago had more breweries than any other U.S. city. Along with being one of the first, it’s now the largest independent brewery in Illinois.

Maine Beer Co. Freeport, Maine Est. 2009

Credit: MaineBeerCompany.com

“Do what’s right.” Any East Coast beer nerd has seen and heard this phrase many times over — coming from Maine Beer Co., it never gets old. That’s because Maine Beer Co. has proven it’s not just a phrase, but the brewery’s truth. Opened at the cusp of the decade in 2009, Maine launched with one beer, Peeper, a pale ale brewed and bottled by hand. By 2013, the brewery relocated from its original Portland location to Freeport, Maine, where it now projects to surpass 20,000 barrels of beer in 2019.

Maine Beer Co. is committed to its employees and the environment. Learn more in our interview with Maine Beer Co. founder Dan Kleban here.

Jester King Brewery Austin, Texas Est. 2010

While Austin is pumping out some of the best lagers in the country from brewers like Live Oak and Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. (the ABGB), what sticks out most in the city’s, and state’s, beer scene is the overwhelming charm of Jester King. Set on a 200-acre ranch outside Austin, it brings the term “farmhouse ales” to life with its stunning property, estate-grown and locally sourced ingredients, and commitment to mixed-fermentation and wild yeast. If you haven’t tasted one of Jester King’s oak-aged, spontaneously fermented and secondary-bottle-fermented beers, you haven’t lived your best beer-loving life.

Hill Farmstead Brewery Greensboro Bend, Vt. Est. 2010

“Elusive” is an understatement when it comes to Hill Farmstead and its beers. The Vermont farmhouse brewery, one of the first and few actually located on a farm, became a household name among craft beer drinkers of this decade. Its delicate, perfectly balanced beers — Susan IPA, Edward Pale Ale, Everett Porter, all named after founder and brewer Shaun Hill’s family members — are stunning in their subtlety. Each is as pleasant an experience as it always has been every time we drink it.

Westbrook Brewing Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Est. 2010

Opened nine years ago to the day (Dec. 20, 2010), this South Carolina brewery simultaneously delighted our senses with its Mexican Cake imperial stout — made with habaneros, cinnamon, vanilla, and cocoa nibs — and introduced the nearly extinct German gose to craft beer drinkers around the country. We tip our hats to Westbrook now and always.

Tired Hands Brewery Ardmore, Pa. Est. 2011

As VinePair reported last year, since opening its doors to its first brewery-cafe in 2012, Tired Hands has innovated IPA styles, invested in its local communities, and launched mid-Atlantic brewing careers. All this occurred while its beers remained extremely difficult to buy — unless you were willing to wait hours in line. In 2015, Tired Hands opened Fermentaria, a brewery and restaurant two blocks from its original location. The exponentially expanding brewery announced its first Philadelphia location in 2019.

Tree House Brewing Monson, Mass. Est. 2011

Juice smoothies and beer were rarely associated before Tree House Brewing released Julius. The NEIPA has a 100 percent rating on BeerAdvocate with nearly 5,000 votes, and is arguably unanimously understood to be the ultimate juicy and hazy IPA. Julius’s many iterations — along with those of companion brands Green and Haze — remain among the most sought-after beers in the nation.

Prairie Artisan Ales Krebs, Okla. Est. 2012

Prairie gave us pastry stouts. BOMB!, an explosion of flavor and excitement, enlightened our palates with baking-spiced decadence. Now there are hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of pastry stouts released on a regular basis in the U.S. How this tiny brewery became so famous for its tasty treats is a mystery we don’t need to solve.

Wicked Weed Brewing Asheville, N.C. Est. 2012

American wild ales weren’t common craft beer lexicon until breweries such as Wicked Weed devoted themselves to creating them. Although the brewery was bought by AB InBev just five years after it opened, and faced a heavy dose of backlash from die-hard fans, it’s still kicking.

Modern Times Beer San Diego, Calif. Est. 2013

Modern Times Beer, a relative newcomer, made a name for itself with its West Coast (not West Coast-style) hazy IPAs. It was one of the first to bring hazies to the West Coast, but also excels in other styles, including one of our favorite (and under-hyped) beers, Blazing World, a hoppy amber ale. In a few short years, Modern Times grew from hype brewery to one of the top 50 craft brewing companies in 2018. The San Diego-based brand now has locations in Point Loma, North Park, Los Angeles, and Encinitas, Calif., and Portland, Ore.

Trillium Brewing Company Boston, Mass. Est. 2013

Where would the beer world be without Trillium? This ultra-collectable brand launched in 2013. By 2016, citizen beer reviewers ranked it one of the top 10 breweries in the world. And one could only procure its juicy brews in Massachusetts. Trillium is perhaps one of the biggest Boston beer success story since, well, Boston Beer. Synonymous with NEIPA, the brewery ranked among our 25 Most Important IPAs Right Now, and in our 50 Best Beers of 2019.

Grimm Artisanal Ales Brooklyn, N.Y. Est. 2013

Gypsy brewers Joe and Lauren Grimm officially started selling beer in July 2013. Although they wouldn’t open a bona fide brewery until five years later, the brewers and brand have been deeply ingrained in the NYC beer community. The savvy artisans put packaging on a pedestal, but made sure it was the inside that counts, releasing a constant, if limited supply of excellent IPAs and sour beers. It’s a strategy that has since been mimicked by many.

Other Half Brewing Brooklyn, N.Y. Est. 2014

We’ll never forget our first sips of Other Half IPA, an aromatic hop bomb that wasn’t too bitter. What stood out to us at small beer events five years ago (has it really only been five years?) eventually earned the attention of DDH DIPA cognoscenti at large, especially as Other Half collaborated with brand after brand around the country and world.

In a few short years, Other Half has gutted and renovated its Brooklyn location, opened a second location near one of New York’s up-and-coming beer cities, Rochester, and whispered plans to launch locations in Williamsburg, Brooklyn as well as Washington, D.C.

Other Half, can culture, and boss pours will be forever linked. The niche brewery’s unprecedented success has been an inspiration to brewers across the country and a point of pride for NYC beer drinkers.

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Athens, Ga. Est. 2014

When beer lovers hear “Athens,” it’s likely they think of Creature Comforts and its popular Tropicalia juicy IPA. Yet the brand does more than brew delicious beers inspired by Brazilian arts movements. Between 2016 and 2017, its Get Comfortable campaign, a fundraising effort benefiting Athens-area nonprofits, generated more than $121,000. In 2018, Creature Comforts launched Get Artistic, a nonprofit community outreach program. And from its 2,000 barrels of beer production in 2014, it’s grown to a capacity of 50,000 barrels in 2018.

WeldWerks Brewing Greeley, Colo. Est. 2015

WeldWerks put Greeley, Colo., on the map with its juicy IPAs in 2015. It’s also a bastion of experimentation, whetting an appetite we didn’t know we had for things like pastry sours. With this, WeldWerks earned a spot on our 50 best beers of 2019. Some call it sacrilege, but we call it liquid entertainment. WeldWerks knows how to execute excellent brews, and they know how to have fun, too. What better way to finish out this ridiculous decade than with a peanut-butter-and-jelly-flavored Berliner weiss?

The article The 35 Most Important Breweries of the Decade (2010s) appeared first on VinePair.

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isaiahrippinus · 5 years ago

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The 35 Most Important Breweries of the Decade (2010s)

Sierra Nevada Brewing Chico, Calif. Est. 1980

Bell’s Brewery Comstock, Mich. Est. 1985

Deschutes Brewery Bend, Ore. Est. 1988

New Belgium Brewing Fort Collins, Colo. Est. 1991

Lagunitas Brewing Company Placentia, Calif. Est. 1993

Left Hand Brewing Longmont, Colo. Est. 1993

Avery Brewing Boulder, Colo. Est. 1993

Allagash Brewing Portland, Maine Est. 1994

Allagash River Trip Belgian-style session ale was named VinePair’s best beer of 2019.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Milton, Del. Est. 1995

Ballast Point San Diego, Calif. Est. 1996

Firestone Walker Brewing Company Paso Robles, Calif. Est. 1996

Stone Brewing Escondido, Calif. Est. 1996

Arrogant by design, Stone Brewing based its business on in-your-face branding. As much as this can be irritating, there’s no denying Stone’s American-made success.

Three Floyds Brewing Munster, Ind. Est. 1996

Victory Brewing Company Downingtown, Pa. Est. 1996

Russian River Brewing Santa Rosa, Calif. Est. 1997

Founders Brewing Grand Rapids, Mich. Est. 1997

Live Oak Brewing Austin, Texas Est. 1997

The Alchemist Stowe, Vt. Est. 2003

Toppling Goliath Decorah, Iowa Est. 2007

Cigar City Brewing Tampa, Fla. Est. 2007

Cigar City started strong and has only gotten stronger. The tropical-themed brewery continues to release new brands we love, including its Guayabera Pale Ale in 2019.

Revolution Brewing Chicago, Ill. Est. 2008

Maine Beer Co. Freeport, Maine Est. 2009

Credit: MaineBeerCompany.com

Maine Beer Co. is committed to its employees and the environment. Learn more in our interview with Maine Beer Co. founder Dan Kleban here.

Jester King Brewery Austin, Texas Est. 2010

Hill Farmstead Brewery Greensboro Bend, Vt. Est. 2010

Westbrook Brewing Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Est. 2010

Tired Hands Brewery Ardmore, Pa. Est. 2011

Tree House Brewing Monson, Mass. Est. 2011

Prairie Artisan Ales Krebs, Okla. Est. 2012

Wicked Weed Brewing Asheville, N.C. Est. 2012

Modern Times Beer San Diego, Calif. Est. 2013

Trillium Brewing Company Boston, Mass. Est. 2013

Grimm Artisanal Ales Brooklyn, N.Y. Est. 2013

Other Half Brewing Brooklyn, N.Y. Est. 2014

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Athens, Ga. Est. 2014

WeldWerks Brewing Greeley, Colo. Est. 2015

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