The Best Things to Do While Sipping San Diego’s Finest Craft Beers
Let’s be real: There’s no better place to be a craft beer lover than right here in San Diego. We’ve got more than 150 breweries churning out hoppy masterpieces, beachside taprooms with ocean views, and bartenders who can describe a saison like they’re reading poetry. But great as craft beer is on its own, it’s even more so when you share it with the perfect accompaniment. Whether you’re chillin’ at home with a haze or rocking out at your go-to tasting room, there are plenty of ways to enhance your beer-drinking experience.
So, what ought you be doing when sipping that West Coast IPA or barrel-aged stout? Glad you asked. Here are some of the optimum things to do while imbibing San Diego’s finest foam.
Get Competitive with Online Casinos
Let’s start with the wildcard, shall we? Believe it or not, the most enjoyable, and surprisingly soothing, thing you can do with your beer is a little bit of online casino action. Not that we’re recommending doing it with your rent money, of course. Just think about this: You’re settled in on the couch with a full-bodied double IPA from Modern Times, your laptop open, and you’re playing a few rounds of blackjack or spinning a colorful slot machine while the hops do their thing.
This is where it gets really good: Bonuses. Online casinos nearly give them away. We’re talking deposit matching promotions, free game promotions, cash back promotions – the kind of promotion that can take $20 and make it a whole night of penny-ante. You can check out a huge variety of casino bonuses on bonuses.com and find great offers and sign-up promotions for which you can get in on some extra action, so even if you lose, you’re still playing house money for a bit. Kind of like when your friend buys the first round at Pizza Port.
Backyard BBQs with Beer Flights
Few things are more San Diego than a backyard barbecue with your best friends, a grill full of searing tri-tip or vegetable skewers, and an ice bucket filled to the top with mixed six-packs of beers from places like Societe, AleSmith, and Thorn Brewing.
That’s the move: Pick up a few different styles (a crisp lager, a fruit-in-your-face sour, something dank and piney), pick up some taster glasses, and set up a DIY beer flight station. Get everyone to bring a different bottle or can and make it a full-on tasting event. Add in a speaker pumping out reggae or indie rock, and you’ve got yourself a full-on SoCal afternoon. Just don’t let your buddy Dave near the grill after his third DIPA.
Coastal Walks and Canned Beers
We’re blessed with some of the nation’s most stunning coastline. If you haven’t strolled about Sunset Cliffs or La Jolla Cove with a cold beer waiting for you upon your return, you’re not doing it right.
Grab a beach-viable can, like a 394 Pale Ale from AleSmith or Swami’s IPA from Pizza Port, and off you go to your favorite seashore spot. Just be sure to follow local open-container laws. Some have no problem with it, but others will get you fined in less time than it takes to proclaim “mosaic hops.” Pro tip: Bring a blanket, a speaker, and prep your beer for golden hour. Watching the sun set over the ocean with a cold craft beer in your hand is San Diego life at its best.
Game Night with the Good Stuff
You’ve got Settlers of Catan. You’ve got Cards Against Humanity. You’ve got that one friend who takes Uno way too seriously. Pair that with a selection of flavorful craft beers, and you’ve got a recipe for an unforgettable night.
Board games and beer are tacos and guac – it just clicks. Bonus points if you match your beer to your game. You’re playing Dungeons & Dragons? Bring a dark, foreboding porter. Poker night? You can’t lose with a pale ale classic. Trivia night? That’s saison territory, my friend. The catch is, game night is the best reason to kick back, crack open some beers, and taunt your friends over their atrocious dice rolls.
Brewery Hopping with a Twist
Yes, we all love a good brewery crawl, but with a twist. The next time you and your buddies roll up to North Park or Miramar, turn it into a scavenger hunt. Create a list of items you need to accomplish, like “Find a beer with a pun in the name,” “Get your picture taken with a beertender,” or “Get a stranger to tell you their favorite beer.”
Split into teams, score, and reconvene at the last stop for some local grub (preferably with a taco truck arriving outside). Not only is it a great added level of fun, but you’ll end up trying beers you would never have otherwise. And, it’s a great way to visit new spots in San Diego’s exploding brewery scene.
Final thoughts: The beer is the star, but activities turn it into a movie
San Diego craft beer is more than just a drink. It’s almost a lifestyle. And whether you’re home on the computer playing your luck at virtual blackjack, soaking on the cliffs with a cold one, or having a backyard beer-tasting competition with you and your buddies, the key is to pair that pint with something fun.
So, the next time you crack open a can of citrusy, hoppy bliss, think bigger. Alright, maybe you could just plop yourself on the couch and scroll through your phone (we’ve all done it). But with so many options for how to enjoy your beer, why not spice up the experience a bit?