Tyson Blake

Tyson Blake has been an innovative and respected member of the San Diego beer community for nearly two decades, advancing the beer-and-food medium as a culinary practitioner, publican and liaison connecting talented chefs and brewers in and beyond the county. He is co-owner of Kearny Mesa’s “Hoppiest Place on Earth,” O’Brien’s Pub, La Mesa’s hometown hop spot, West Coast Smoke & Tap House, East County’s The Pub at Lake Cuyamaca, and the 30-year-old brewpub where he first started out, San Diego Brewing. The marriage of beer and food is something he holds dear and, with more than 150 beer dinners under his belt, recipes published in numerous cookbooks and publications, countless collaboration brew sessions to his credit and hundreds of respected friends and colleagues in the restaurant, bar and brewing industries, he has amassed a wealth of knowledge he is eager to share with San Diego Beer News’ audience.

Neighborhood: Santee

Family: Proud husband and father to two awesome boys

Favorite Beer Style(s): IPA, Pilsner, Belgian Strong Golden Ale, Barrel-Aged Strong Ales, Sours

Favorite Local Beer Events: San Diego Beer Week and O’Brien’s Wet Hop Festival

Craft Beer A-Ha Moment: My late teens back in New York, drinking Saranac Porter, Pete’s Wicked Ale, Newcastle, Ithaca Beer Co. Extra Pale and Apricot What, and then Sierra Nevada and Anderson Valley Hop Ottin’ IPA