Recently, I was chauffeured around the Huntington Beach area to check out some beer locations on my long list of need to visit spots.
First up was actually some hotel beers. 4 Sons Brewing supplies the Shorebreak Hotel with two beers for rooms and for their social hours each night. There was a session pinepapple IPA and a light lager. Safe choices for a vacation crowd. The lager was too light for my taste and did not have the needed zing. The pineapple was better but, again, not zingy enough with the pineapple. (I will return to this fruit again)
Way past my bedtime (you do not want to know) was my first visit to Beachwood Beer + Pizza. I really likes the spot even though it starts at a disadvantage of being in a typical corner mini mall location. It is bright and airy and the beer selection is all over the board. The Rustic pilsner, Barrels to Bavaria worked well with the excellent pizza. I also had a dessert beer of Mocha Machine Picoso which had a little chile kick but was still filled to the brim with coffee.
Next day was two close to each other PCH breweries. First up was Riip Beer where I went for my first taster tray of the day. And it was all IPA, NELTRA, Stratacaster, Cache is King and my choice for best based on uniqueness alone, Pineapple Panacea which was the least hoppy and has a crazy pineapple smoothie look and taste.
Last up was Green Cheek in Sunset Beach. In an all blue building, no green, this is like an In ‘n’ Out but with Evan Price’s beer. My smashburger was super carmelized and delicious and my taster tray had a golden coffee stout, a Fest Bier and a couple more IPA’s. The space also has an upstairs seating area which is great on beach days. I probably should have tried the G&T inspired hard seltzer but stuck with the beer this time.
