659685 Thu Oct 15 10:25:57 -0700 2009 7 3 California 0 5105465 1. SAN DIEGO San Diego isn’t just surfing and LaDainian Tomlinson anymore — it’s the new beer capital of the U.S. Stone (maker of our number one ale) exemplifies the local approach, with aggressively hopped but completely drinkable brews. The variety of beers across the city is the most eclectic in the country. Where to Drink: Thirtieth Street in North and South Parks is easily the nation’s best beer boulevard. Start with any of former firefighter Pat McIlhenney’s range of tap-only ales at the laid-back Hamilton’s Tavern (which taps special casks every Friday), then head to the beer-focused Linkery restaurant, which has frequent beer-pairing dinners. For your after party, hit the Toronado. The beer lists at all three are deep, stacked with the freshest local beers and exotic imports. Beer Culture: The sheer number of breweries (33) blows us away. (It has crept past Portland, which has 29.) Visit almost any of them and you’ll find the brewmaster on hand, happy to chat over a pint. http://www.mensjournal.com/top-five-beer-towns Thu Oct 15 10:25:57 -0700 2009 155341 stevewag23 1 5105492 Yeah, that's a cool write up. Have you checked out any of the Beer Week stuff coming up? There's a Nathan Coulon thing at Quarter Kitchen I want to check out, sounds like a recreation of the Belgian Lion. Thu Oct 15 10:38:01 -0700 2009 5105465 10809 Josh 2 5106294 Yeah, great news for san diego. Thu Oct 15 14:37:16 -0700 2009 5105492 155341 stevewag23 1 5105941 Good stuff. No denver on the list? Only reason I ask is because I'm taking a trip there so I visited the Southwest board (even though it's neither south nor west to us ... :D) and they mention that they are one of the microbrew centers of the country. But I guess microbrews were not the only criteria in the list. Thu Oct 15 12:47:12 -0700 2009 5105465 148489 deeznuts 2 5105965 Denver is spectacular for beer, but most of the Breweries are outside of the city, and each area is pretty far from each other. If you are in Denver checkout Fallingrock, Cheeky Monk, and Great Divide. As for SD, glad it is getting more and more recognition (it deserves it!). Linkery, the Pearl, and Ritual have all been doing beer pairing dinners a lot this last year. Hopefully with the new Beer Week starting more restaurants will jump on the wagon. Thu Oct 15 12:53:32 -0700 2009 5105941 91897 MrKrispy 1 5106630 I still can't believe that we manage to support 33 breweries in this town. That's completely insane and amazingly cool. When is Beer Week? Thu Oct 15 16:47:56 -0700 2009 5105465 115590 jmtreg 2 5108536 It starts November 6, lots of really good sounding events coming out (I am still recovering from working the Great American Beer Festival in Denver haha) SD Beer Week site: http://sdbw.org/ Fri Oct 16 12:11:32 -0700 2009 5106630 91897 MrKrispy 1 5114655 Lots of great events on the SD Beer Week website. I was thinking of heading to the Szechwan dinner with Josh, Kirk, Andy, and Candice. Anyone else interested? Mon Oct 19 11:27:47 -0700 2009 5105465 93901 geekyfoodie