Beer of the Week: 3rd Block from the Sun

Though launched from a warehouse in Sorrento Valley and since relocated to Point Loma, nine-year-old California Wild Ales’ heart has always resided in Ocean Beach. Even before this producer of sour, wild, barrel-aged, Brett-tinged and downright funky brews opened an Ocean Beach tasting room in 2021, its founders – one of whom is an Obecian, while the other previously called OB home – took every opportunity to dig into the community, such as pitching in with the neighborhood’s annual holiday-time fundraising collaboration beer, Crooked Tree IPA. Nearly three years into their tenure on Newport Avenue, the duo are still giddy about being part of this unique community and are doing their best to celebrate those stomping grounds with this week’s featured beer, 3rd Block from the Sun. Upon moving to OB, California Wild Ales went from exclusively producing tart, aged, bacteria-inoculated ales, adding on a lager and other “clean beers”. This hoppy number is a hazy IPA, and though it was crafted in the name of Ocean Beach, it also pays ample homage to New England and New Zealand. The former is where hazy IPAs originated (the real kind that are opaque and viscous), while the latter is where Nelson Sauvin hops are cultivated. That varietal is the cornerstone of this textbook New England-style IPA, the nose of which is tomatillo (a gooseberry relative most San Diegans are far more familiar with) with a touch of gas-pump nozzle (don’t worry…it’s supposed to smell like that). Light pear and peach hit the taste buds first, followed by faint fruit and bitterness reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc. Despite the beer’s added texture, it remains light on the palate, finishing with a burst of Satsuma orange that will stick with you for that triple-block stroll down to the OB shoreline.

Welcome to Ocean Beach, home of California Wild Ales’ vibrant tasting room strategically located just three blocks from the ocean. Our coastal setting serves as the muse for crafting exceptional beers, including our latest creation, the radiant hazy IPA, 3rd Block from the Sun. Drawing inspiration from OB’s rhythmic tides and salty air, this beer is crafted with precision and a blend of Citra and Nelson hops, this 6.7% (alcohol-by-volume) hazy is more than a beverage; it’s a cosmic journey into the heart of craft brewing, encapsulating the essence of our coastal lifestyle. As you raise your glass, be prepared for a symphony of aromas transporting you to the ocean’s edge. The dynamic flavors of grapefruit, orange zest and subtle white-wine complexities create an otherworldly experience. 3rd Block from the Sun transcends the ordinary and embodies our coastal community’s spirit. So, grab a pint or four-pack, soak in the sunshine, and celebrate craftsmanship, community and the coastal allure that defines California Wild Ales.”

Bill DeWitt, Co-founder, California Wild Ales