I was thinking about my love for West Coast IPAs, and while there are many to choose from, the location we’re focused on today is San Diego, California! The craft beer scene in San Diego has many well-known breweries so it’s easy to find new local craft breweries or sign up for a tour when in the area. If your favorite beer includes notes of pine and citrus and are full of hops, then a San Diego brewery should be a mandatory stop.
We’re breaking down American India Pale Ales in this West Coast focused list. Read on to see my favorite hazy IPA’s and comment below with yours! If your favorite isn’t on this top 5, tell us about the best IPA beer you’ve had from San Diego and why! Cheers!
Our #5 pick and it goes to the Mission Brewery Shipwrecked Double IPA. Not only do I love the design of the logo but after enjoying this brew, you’ll feel like a rebellious pirate at sea. With a 9.25% ABV this award-winning double IPA is bold and full of “bountiful” hops. This is a true treasure out of San Diego and is best in class for hop character and tropical notes.
#4 on the list goes to the Mosaic IPA from Karl Strauss. The Mosaic hop is full of grapefruit aroma and it’s citrusy, tropical fruit head “doesn’t sacrifice hop appeal.” With an ABV% at 5.5, it’s a perfect San Diego IPA you can enjoy any day of the week and all year-round. When you’re in downtown San Diego, make sure to visit one of the Karl Strauss Brewery locations. I love pairing it with one of their famous beer pretzels.
The # 3 West Coast IPA pick is from Green Flash Brewing Company. Their tasting room shouldn’t be missed when visiting San Diego as it’s a treat all on its own. With level after level of stacked kegs and barrels, it’s no wonder that they are one of the top rated breweries in the area. There’s not much in life that tops their taproom ambience while drinking a West Coast IPA. Green Flash uses 5 different types of hops for complex layers of pine, floral, and ripe citrus aromas. Zesty describes this best IPA beer and Green Flash groupies would agree.
#2 on the list is the Stone Brewing Company Delicious IPA. While there are many dry hop IPA’s to choose from, Stone Brewing is one of the most well known outside of California. The grounds are breathtaking and the brewery tour shouldn’t be missed. Their Delicious IPA lives up to its name and is a crisp and refreshing IPA. Stone Brewing has reduced the gluten in the beer which gives it a seal of approval for Vegan beer drinkers! Hoppy with notes of lemon drops and lemongrass combined with a 7.7% ABV makes this a great choice for IPA fans!
Last but certainly not least, and coming in at #1 is an all-time favorite for many IPA beer fans. The Sculpin IPA from Ballast Point Brewing is a refined and gold-medal winning IPA. Ballast Point describes this brew perfectly. “Hoping an ale at five separate stages would produce something special…whose inspired use of hops creates hits of apricot, peach, mango and lemon flavors.” Pair it with your favorite menu items at the Ballast Point tasting room and kitchen and you will not be disappointed. This is the beer that gets you excited when you see it on tap in your favorite bar.
There you have it, The Swirling Glass’ top 5 best West Coast IPA beers out of San Diego, California. If you’ve had them, loved them and want more, comment below. Thank you to Ballast Point, Stone Brewing, Green Flash, Karl Strauss, and Mission Brewery for making great beers that elevate the beer community.
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Sources:
https://drizly.com/beer/ale/ipa/karl-strauss-mosaic-ipa/p62038