On Twitter this week I was following StoneGreg, one of the San Diego personalities I find most interesting on social networking sites.  StoneGreg is Greg Koch, the founder and President of Stone Brewing Co.  

Stone Brewing is truly one of San Diego’s nationally renowned businesses–although don’t look for them to replace Petco or Qualcomm with signing rights on a sports stadium.  They are the most recognized and most widely distributed of a dozen or so San Diego craft brewers among the best in America.  See: San Diego Brewers Guild and BeerAdvocate for more.

Koch confirmed a rumor and a huge story for San Diego beer drinkers–Stone Brewry is opening a San Diego tasting room.  It’s not like we can’t find a Ruination IPA or Arrogant Bastard in San Diego.  There are great Beer Bars in every neighborhood.

However, for Downtowners or City Dwellers it’s a half day schlep to visit Stone up in Escondido.  It is so worth it though. The “Beer Garden” and Brewery is located in a park like setting, with trails, seating areas and an amphitheater for concerts, movies and other events.  Food is amazing!  On any day you’ll find 20 different Stone Brews available and 20 more great micro-brews from around the country. 

Stone Brewing Tasting Room in South Park

Now we’ll have the best part of the Brewry within walking, biking or a short drive.  Here’s what Koch says to expect:

Stone Brewing Co. is proud to announce plans to open a Stone Company Store in the South Park neighborhood of San Diego. Stone believes that South Park—with it’s central location, pedestrian/bike friendly streets, and strong sense of local community—is the perfect location.

The Stone Company Store | South Park will bring Stone Brewing Co. merchandise and growler fills to the city of San Diego for the first time. It will allow fans of Stone’s fresh, locally-brewed beer to fill reusable glass jugs known as “growlers” with a variety of Stone beers. Growlers, which are endlessly reusable, are the most environmentally sustainable way to drink Stone beers at home.

Favorite Brewers, Bars and Beers

What are your favorites? 

Let me try a couple within walking distance of home and office.  

Karl Strauss restaurant/brewery on Columbia.  10 taps of KS beer daily and an inexpensive, friendly HH every afternoon. 

The Neighborhood on G Street is an unpretentious pleasure downtown.  They are passionate about food and beer and you can’t help but experience it when visiting. Their wide selection of draft beer features local brew.  Try the sweet potato fries…

The exact opposite aesthetic of The Neighborhood–The Yardhouse on Broadway and 4th is a massive sports bar/restaurant/entertainment venue.  But at it’s core there are 140 taps for draft beer.  They claim that it is the largest selection anywhere. 

From Pizza Port to Coronado Brewing,  Alesmith to Green Flash,  San Diego County is home to many of America’s best Craft Brewers

Please take a moment to share your favorites.  Our blog focuses on Downtown–but we’re interested in other neighborhoods as well.  Tell us about your favorite Brew or Bar.