Brew Beat

Brew Beat

CHEERS, BEER FANS! SAN DIEGO NOW TOPS IN CRAFT BREWING COMPANIES

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: BNS Brewery, Santee

June 18, 2017 (San Diego) – Already famed for producing among the best beers in the nation, San Diego now has the most craft brewing operations of any American city, according to a new report from the real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield.  America’s finest city now boasts 125 craft breweries, according to the report, which along with brew pubs popping up in urban neighborhoods are fueling the latest “cool trend” revitalizing communities.


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BREW BEAT: TWISTED MANZANITA OFFERS BOLD BEERS IN SANTEE

 

By Ed Barrena

January 25, 2016 (Santee) -- Twisted Manzanita.  The name brings images of arid trails on East County hillsides. Hikes in our local backcountry can make one thirsty, and the tasting room at Twisted Manzanita Ales and Spirits is a great destination to cure that internal drought.


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BREW BEAT: BALLAST POINT SELLS FOR $1 BILLION

 

By Ed Barrena

November 19, 2015 (San Diego)--One of San Diego’s most beloved and famous brewers has been sold. Perhaps Dr. Evil from Austin Powers could say it best, but the price was a staggering $1 Billion. Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits, famous for its Sculpin India Pale Ale has been sold to Constellation Brands, which primarily distributes import beers from Mexico such as Corona, Modelo Especial, and Pacifico.


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BREW BEAT: OKTOBERFESTS COME TO EAST COUNTY

 

By Ed Barrena



October 3, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Oktoberfest is a big deal in East County. Locally we have many festivities that hit the mark when it comes to the traditional Bavarian celebration. But what is it all about?


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BREW BEAT: BUTCHER'S BREWING IN SANTEE--WHERE SMALL IS BIG

 

By Ed Barrena



April 24, 2015 (Santee)--Some breweries are huge, some are small. Butcher's Brewing in Santee is a small microbrewery, however they serve nothing but big beers.


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BREW BEAT: NEXT DOOR, A COZY NEIGHBORHOOD BEER AND WINE BAR

 

By Ed Barrena

March 15, 2015 (La Mesa)--A trip to Next Door Beer and Wine Bar is a good idea, especially if you happen to be a beer person who spends a significant amount of time with wine people, or vice-versa.



With a nice variety of craft beers on tap and a fine wine selection, this is a great place to spend some quality time with special company. The atmosphere is less “Bar” and more “Next Door”, with a certain coziness that will enhance any gathering.


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BREW BEAT: 4 LOCAL BREWERIES MAKE BREWERS ASSOCIATION TOP 50 IN U.S.

 

Covering San Diego’s craft beer industry in East County

By Ed Barrena

April 1, 2015 (San Diego’s east County) - The Brewers Association is a non-profit trade group, based in Boulder, Colorado, which represents small and independent craft brewers.  On March 31st they released their annual list of the Top 50 craft brewing companies for 2014. Four San Diego brewers made the list, including one in the top ten. The list was compiled from data on beer sales volume.


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BREW BEAT: WORLD CLASS BEER ON TAP IN EL CAJON

 

By Ed Barrenas

July 2, 2014 (El Cajon)--Micro-brewing is catching on around the nation, but if you don't have the means to visit microbreweries in other states, or even if fine local breweries just seem too far out of the way, head to The Downtown Cafe in the heart of downtown El Cajon.

Already boasting what I consider to be one of the best happy hours in East County, The Downtown Cafe also delivers a rotation of microbrews from around the country, that only a few establishments could hope to rival. There is also a full restaurant, and certain foods are offered at happy hour discounts.


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BREW BEAT: OLD WEST APPEAL AT BNS BREWING & DISTILLING IN SANTEE

New column!  East County craft beers in your neighborhood

By Ed Barrena

May 4, 2014 (Santee)--BNS Brewing and Distilling Co. in Santee (www.bnsbrewinganddistilling.com) is a great brewery with an Old West appeal. I'd wager Wyatt Earp would probably want to tie his horse off next to the trophy trucks and motorcycles if he made a stop in East County. (Mr. Earp was known to play many a game of poker in what is now the Gaslamp).

The tasting room at BNS is a throwback to the days of the old saloons--and there is not a pint glass in the building, as most beers are served in mason jars. Above the bar hangs a vintage rifle and the tap heads are a mix of replica .50 caliber bullets and the stylish BNS logo.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.