After several disappointing years, the 16th edition of San Diego Beer Week seems to have recaptured its swagger. Here’s a list of what I’m looking forward to during this 10-day “beerchanal” that kicks off today and runs through Nov. 10.
Today: McIlhenney Tap Takeover, O’Brien’s Pub. Here’s a match made in hop heaven: one of the region’s best new breweries dominating the taps at one of the nation’s best beer bars. 6-9 p.m. O’Brien’s, 4646 Convoy St., San Diego.
Ghost Town Tap Takeover, North Park Beer. Oakland’s buzzy Ghost Town Brewing will showcase six of its award-winning beers, plus two collaborations with North Park. 2 p.m. to midnight. North Park Beer, 3038 University Ave., San Diego.
Saturday: Stone Brewing’s 28th Anniversary Celebration. A longtime craft beer power player, Stone hosts epic parties. Expect pours from 40-plus breweries, live music, plus food for purchase. 4-8 p.m. Tickets, starting at $74.85, are available at eventbrite.com. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Beer Gardens, 1999 Citracado Parkway, Escondido.
Monday: Platypug Belgian Amber Re-Release, Duck Foot Brewing. Fans of Matt Akin, Duck Foot’s stellar head brewer, look forward to this annual appearance of this Belgian-style dark ale, with its dark fruit notes and peppery finish. 11 a.m.-11:45 p.m. 8920 Kenamar Drive, San Diego.
Nov. 7-8: Speedway Grand Prix, AleSmith Brewing. Sample a dozen versions of one world-class stout. Revved up takes of Speedway Stout include Vietnamese Coffee, Rocky Road and Bumbleberry Crumb Pie versions. 4-9 p.m. Tickets, $23.18 per four-pour flight, are at eventbrite.com. AleSmith, 9990 AleSmith Court, San Diego.
Nov. 8: Grantville Cleanup with San Diego Brewing. All Beer Week, local breweries will sponsor neighborhood cleanups. This one, presented by Craftmaster Stainless, starts at noon. San Diego Brewing, 10450 Friars Road, San Diego.
Comedy Night, Duck Foot: A free performance! (Clarification: the laughs are free, even if the beer is not.) 7-9 p.m. Duck Foot, 8920 Kenamar Drive, San Diego.
Nov. 9: Capital of Craft Beerfest. The San Diego Guild’s official festival features beers from 40 local breweries, music from Los Tortugas – led by guitarist/Karl Strauss head brewer Paul Segura – and food for purchase. Noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot behind Kilowatt Brewing. Tickets, $76.54-$97.88, are at eventbrite.com. Kilowatt Brewing, 7576 Kearny Mesa Blvd., San Diego.
Nov. 10: 249th Marine Corps Birthday Celebration, Northern Pine Brewing. Open to the public, as well as all active duty and retired Leathernecks. 4-8 p.m. Northern Pine, 326 N. Horne St., Oceanside.
An early concept proposal for the San Diego Museum of Art’s new west wing, which will be built in 2026. This perspective faces west, with a new museum entrance where Panama 66 restaurant now stands. (Foster + Partners for SDMA)
Panama 66 To Be 86’d?
Recently, I read the Union-Tribune’s reports on the San Diego Museum of Art’s planned renovation of its west wing.
First reaction: Terrific! That institution, occupying priceless real estate in Balboa Park, needs a shakeup.
Second thought: What happens to Panama 66, a beloved, independent beer-savvy dining spot?
The museum’s early concept design for the west wing shows that the space in question would be bulldozed to create a new museum entrance. If that occurs, would this tenant find space inside the new structure? Or would the museum prefer to own and operate its own restaurants, rolling Panama 66’s beer barrels out of the park?
When reached by phone, Jeff Motch — co-owner of Panama 66 as well as Normal Heights’ Blind Lady Ale House — declined to comment. Yet craft beer fans have reason to hope.
“Panama 66 is an integral part of the San Diego Museum of Art, and we hope to continue this partnership through the renovation and beyond,” reads a statement released by the museum. “While the building that houses Panama 66 will undergo transformation as part of the project, offering a variety of diverse food and beverage options is a core element of our vision for the reimagined museum experience.”
Cheers to that!
Quick Sips, Fall Colors Edition
Brewjeria’s Tomo La Flor Pale Ale. (Peter Rowe)
Beer: Tomo La Flor
From: Brewjeria, Pico Rivera
ABV: 6.2 percent
Style: Pale Ale
Fall Color: Flaming Red
Drink or dump: Drink. At this Latino-owned brewery’s new Chula Vista tap house, this is one of the standout beers. Brewed with hibiscus flowers, Tomo La Flor expertly navigates the tightrope stretched between sweetness and tartness. Balanced, light bodied, nimble on your palate, this is a Wallenda of an ale.
Viewpoint Brewing’s Nutty Professor Nut Brown ale. (Peter Rowe)
Nutty Professor Nut Brown
From: Viewpoint, Del Mar
ABV: 5.4 percent
Style: Brown Ale
Fall Color: Earthy Brown
Drink or dump: Drink. Brisk, with subdued toffee and walnut notes, Nutty Professor is a quaffable ale. Sweet, yes, but there’s sufficient bitterness on the finish to cleanse your palate before you take another sip. A bit too carbonated for my taste but, hey, it’s nutty.
Insurgente Brewery’s Lupulosa American IPA. (Peter Rowe)
Lupulosa
From: Insurgente, Tijuana
ABV: 7 percent
Style: American IPA
Fall Color: Golden leaves
Drink or dump: Drink. Once dubbed Mexico’s best beer (Ratebeer, 2015-2016), Lupulosa remains a stellar brew. This India Pale Ale opens with citrusy notes before an explosively bitter finish, detonated by a quartet of Pacific Northwest hops: Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial and Chinook.