On one of the Sundays right before Christmas, work done for the day, the Missus and I decided to have some "us time". She wanted to go to Tiger! Tiger!, for a beer and something to eat.
Nursing my "Heavenly Hefe", I went over the little trolley-brewery thing Candice and I did a month or so earlier. The Missus was fairly certain that 30th street would be much more fun. As I mentioned in in this post, that option was certainly open.
So, there we were noshing on the ciccioli.....
When the Missus, bless Her heart, told me, "let's do it! Let's do it right now".......which is how we set off on an impromptu 30st Street crawl, which I hereby name the 30th Street Stumble.....
Tiger! Tiger!
3025 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104
Right around the corner from TT is the Belching Beaver Tasting Room.
I have a couple of friends who refuse to partake or visit the place due to the...well....sort of double entendre naming conventions of the brews and the rather creative visual effect of the logo.
Still, it's a nice space.....
Belching Beaver Tasting Room
4223 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
I can't wait for Rip Current to open their tasting room. I've been to the San Marcos tasting room and I really love their Rye Brown.
Our next stop? Well, it was so the Missus could get Her pork belly skewer fix at Toronado. The Missus really didn't care much for the place when we first visited, but She has really started to enjoy the vibe.....love the jukebox and the interesting ATM.
And also the beer selection of course.....
Toronado
4026 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
We veered off 30th and took a look at Bottlecraft, then walked into Hess Brewing Company.
Where we ran into a couple whom we saw at Tiger Tiger and Belching Beaver....guess great minds think alike!
The folks here were very friendly, the space was nice and wide open, and the cask Jucundus with Vanilla Bean was quite good....much better than the can of Jucundus I'd tried a few months back. The Missus enjoyed the Ficus, though it was a bit too strong for Her.
We were really enjoying our time together. We'd both been busy working, so this was catch up time, without household items getting in the way. We were taking our sweet time and enjoying it.
Hess Brewing Company North Park
3812 Grim Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
Back on course on 30th, we stopped in a couple of shops then crossed the street to one of the Missus's favorite places; Waypoint Public. I like the beer selection here, but the prices can be somewhat painful.
We had some chicharrons.....
And was then joined by a good friend. I'd sent a text to Candice to see if she'd like to join us. She had plans but was nice enough to drop by for a drink! It was great seeing her as always.
Waypoint Public
3794 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
We'd already spent a good 4 hours out and about but were not yet done. We headed down 30th Street....it was a nice day, nice and cool, weather in the low 50's.
As we walked over Switzer Canyon, the sun was starting to go down.
And by the time we reached Brabant, evening had settled in.
The place was in full holiday mode.....
This is where I ordered the Missus's favorite beer of the day....in fact, She still mentions how much She enjoyed the The Oude Tart from the Bruery.
We also had "dinner" here. Brat and Stoemp and some frites......
Brabant Bar & Cafe
2310 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
We had thoughts about hitting up Hamilton's down the street, but decided to turn around here. Tomorrow was a work day after all. But we did have one more stop. This one at Modern Times Flavordome, their North Park tasting room, which is basically on 30th.
We both love the decor, much of it made with recycled items....like the lampshades that line the ceiling.
We ordered small pours for a nightcap.
You could order tacos form Perla next door if you wanted......
Modern Times Flavordome
3000 Upas St
San Diego, CA 92104
We then walked the last mile or so back to the car. This is totally doable, 8 hours, probably 4 miles or so round trip, which is no sweat in good weather. Remember, we did over seven miles for oysters. I had thoughts about stopping at Ritual Tavern....but man, we were stuffed.
The Sunday after Christmas we stopped by Blind Lady Ale House.
And while finishing up our charcuterie plate and our drinks, the Missus said, "hey, you know what?" To which I answered, "no way, that'll by pushing it...." But who knows, maybe next time it'll be BLAH to Hamilton's?
Blind Lady Ale House
3416 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116
What a fun day for you and your wife!
I'll never look at the Belching Beaver logo the same way again, haha). That being said, Bert and I enjoyed our flights here and also at Flavordome (I'm partial to the flavored stouts). Their decor is cool, Yoda made out of floppy disks, heh. There are so many breweries along 30th now....
Posted by: caninecologne | Monday, 12 January 2015 at 09:18 PM
nice beer crawl!
Posted by: kat | Monday, 12 January 2015 at 09:57 PM
Nice adventure tasting some of America's finest brews!
Posted by: Jason | Monday, 12 January 2015 at 11:05 PM
Nice work! You certainly hit a lot of the high points in North Park.
Posted by: ken | Tuesday, 13 January 2015 at 06:11 AM
Hi CC - I really can't wait to check out Rip Current.....30th street is indeed a mecca for Craft Beer.
I'll take you there when the both of you visit Kat! ;o)
It was Jason!
And we didn't even cover them all Kan!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 13 January 2015 at 07:18 AM
I'm so old that I remember when all American beer tasted alike (but wines could be very different). Now . . . I am gobsmacked by the beer revolution. Couldn't happen to a nicer beverage.
Great post -- I am salivating over the food as well. What a nice way to spend a mutual day off.
Posted by: Ed (from Yuma) | Tuesday, 13 January 2015 at 07:26 AM
hehe, the Missus has so much energy!
Posted by: Kirbie | Tuesday, 13 January 2015 at 09:47 AM
Wow you are a trooper! Just like the monthly drinkabout bus but without the bus. Rip Current is open for business starting this week. No definite hours as the article states just come by between 2 ~ 10.
http://sandiego.eater.com/2015/1/13/7539555/rip-current-brewing-now-breaking-waves-on-shores-of-north-park
Posted by: Junichi | Tuesday, 13 January 2015 at 12:57 PM
Great post Kirk...that's my kind of day!
Posted by: jack | Tuesday, 13 January 2015 at 01:49 PM
You should try this next time your in town Ed....it's a great way to an afternoon.
She sure does (huff...huff...huff) Kirbie!
I just heard that as well Junichi. Goes we'll be doing this again soon!
It was fun Jack....BTW, did you go to Seattle?
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 13 January 2015 at 06:18 PM
oh yum! all great places =)
Posted by: Lynnea | Wednesday, 14 January 2015 at 09:21 AM
That is a fantastic afternoon. Thinking about it now, I don't know where else in San Diego has that much walkability with tons of beer options. Now if only I can get my husband to do the same thing...
Posted by: Darlene | Wednesday, 14 January 2015 at 09:46 AM
Hi Lynnea - This was fun.....
Well Darlene, beer and food is a great motivator....at least for me!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 15 January 2015 at 07:09 AM
Hi Kirk, I had some business to tend to on Oahu so I didn't get to Seattle. I'm hoping to get there next month.
Posted by: jack | Thursday, 15 January 2015 at 09:14 AM
Hope you have a great time Jack!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 15 January 2015 at 04:58 PM