Hop Highway Beer Tour

Our ride down  Hop Highway

Highway 78 in Northern San Diego has earned the name of "Hop Highway" over the last year.  On this northern most highway in San Diego are some of the most innovative breweries on the planet.  My buddies wife decided that for his birthday she would "Man Up" and rent a 14 passenger van and drive his buddies from Chula Vista down this "Hop Highway" in the search of perfect beer.

The goal was simple, only go to new breweries that we haven't been before.  We had 5 on our list, but lets be honest, we wanted to hit 4 of them before the deadly mixture of beer wounded us incapable of drinking.  I tend to shy away from Craft Beer reviews but this trip was way to awesome not to brag about. 

Great Divide Brewing Company

This year was my 3rd time to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO.  During the day we chose to visit Great Divide Brewing Company and looking back it was a great choice.  Remember, I was currently drinking before and while filming this so maybe watch with the volume down. 

Hess Brewing

Located in a small industrial space in Miramar, Hess Brewing is a new Nano-Brewery start-up that got my attention with all the internet buzz.  It is a little hard to find in the midst of other small industrial related business but worth the search for a good brew with a small, everything open feeling.  A plus is the 2 owners (both named Michael) are very open and friendly which is a nice change in today's world. 

Walking in through the industrial style roll-up door you have the brewing area right in front of you.  The main office is on the left and the brewery/tap area is in the back.  All the equipment is in the open for the guest to see.  The beers were fantastic, plain and simple.  I would recommend the IPA or the Stout if you like strong well made brews

Coronado Brewing Co.

Located on Orange Ave in Coronado, Coronado Brewing Co. has made it onto my favorite list with their IPA's and the ever satisfying Mermaid Red. The restaurant is a mix of classy beach lifestyle with a real hometown micro-brewery feel. The back of the bar is open to the brewing area and the aroma of cascade and northern brewer coast by my eager lips. Sitting down at the bar, the barkeep asked what I would like to drink. After pondering and looking at the specials, I opted for a tried and true friend. The Idiot IPA. After taking the first sip and sitting back I thought to my self, "I like it here." The menu covers the food you would like to eat while drinking a good craft brew. From flame oven baked pizza to fish tacos any thing you would like as at your fingertips. I went with a calzone. Feeling I needed a little something sweet with my IPA, I had it loaded with Ham and pineapple. The lunch came with a side salad that was filling and kept me distracted while my calzone was cooking away. The food is good and the beer is great. One thing, they have a great happy hour. 2 to 6 pm serving 2.50 beers. This equals to half off the normal cost. That is a really good deal. Go check it out for yourself.