Putting a cap on The Brewery Project

Back in April of last year I started The Brewery Project with the goal of visiting and posting about a different brewery each week until I had been to every single operating brewery in the county.  It took 20 months to do it, but I have officially accomplished that goal!  I visited some fantastic breweries, and some not so fantastic ones.  My travels took me as far north as Lake Elsinore (I know it's out of the county, but I made an exception), as far east as Julian, and as far south as Otay Mesa.  A few of the breweries I visited have since closed, including El Cajon Brewing Co., Mad Lab Craft Brewing, The Brew House at Eastlake, Rock Bottom Downtown San Diego, and La Jolla Brew House, which has now reopened with new owners as La Jolla Brewing Co.  On one occasion I even found myself at an abandoned brewery.  The only active breweries to elude me were Cold Bore Brewing Co., a very small brewery located in Jamul that is not open to the public, and Valley Center Brewery, which should have a tasting room open by February of next year.  88 visits in all, every week was an adventure and I hope you enjoyed the ride along with me.  As new breweries open I will continue to visit and post about them, but for now, at this moment, the project is done!

Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits is expanding, again!

You can't stop growth, especially when you're always evolving and diversifying like these guys!  I saw this posted around midnight last night, er, this morning.  Perhaps I was up too late.  Actually, I was enjoying a can of Big Eye IPA at the time.  Wow, I need sleep.  Anyway, I digress.  Again.  Where was I?  Ah, yes.  Congratulations to all the guys, but particularly Colby Chandler, who will be at the helm of this new location.  I can't wait to check out the new spot!

The Brewery Project

I love to visit breweries.  I make it a point to visit different ones while traveling, particularly when visiting family in Colorado where they are almost as abundant as 7-Elevens or Starbucks.  I find, though, that I often take local breweries for granted.  I visit them when I can, but rarely get to those not within my immediate, daily radius.  I used to consider myself well-traveled among local breweries, but with around 40 breweries now calling San Diego home and more on the way, I realize that I have barely scratched the brewery-circuit surface.  That said, I have now launched "The Brewery Project".  I plan on visiting a different brewery each week.  It could be one I already frequent such as Ballast Point, or one I that have been wanting to visit but not made it to yet such as Green Flash.  It could be just a brewery such as AleSmith, or a brewery restaurant like one of the many Karl Strauss locations.  Regardless of brewery, location, or format, my goal is to visit each and every brewing establishment the county has to offer.  I'll keep you updated along the way, and may even open your eyes to local spots you weren't aware of.  Who knows, I may even see you there!

Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits is expanding

Good news for fans of this San Diego favorite!

"We also just broke ground on our new brewery expansion up at Scripps Ranch. Literally, broke into the ground. Behind the brewery sits a three to four foot deep pit which will be filled with concrete this coming Friday. Once that concrete has some time to cure, we will install, plumb, and brew into our 4 brand spanking new 200bbl fermenters. By the time summer rolls around we should be able meet and exceed all the beer demands of a thirsty San Diego. That means Sculpin for all and the possibility of fun new brews!"