Yea, OC is a bit of a wasteland. Tustin Brewery is really pretty basic- nothing special there. The Irvine BJ's has a pretty good craft selection besides their house beers, actually. Oshea's is a good bottle shop, though for sure. I can second Goat Hill, though, about your best bet in OC. There's a Total Wine in Irvine/Tustin across from the BJ's in the Marketplace.
If you can make it up to Orange, The Bruery Provisions is a nice tasting room.
Yea, OC is a bit of a wasteland. Tustin Brewery is really pretty basic- nothing special there. The Irvine BJ's has a pretty good craft selection besides their house beers, actually. Oshea's is a good bottle shop, though for sure. I can second Goat Hill, though, about your best bet in OC. There's a Total Wine in Irvine/Tustin across from the BJ's in the Marketplace.
If you can make it up to Orange, The Bruery Provisions is a nice tasting room.
I live in Irvine.
Most of the good breweries are about 15 min away in Anaheim/Orange/Fullerton
Valiant Brewing (brand new brewery in Orange)
The Bruery (amazing brewery for sours and wild ales)
Noble Ale Works (brewery in Anaheim)
Bootleggers (brewery in Fullerton)
Bru House (brewpub serving craft beers in Lake Forest)
Crow Burger Bar (awesome burger place that serves craft beer Newport Beach)
There are really no good Bottle shops in that immediate area. You can drive down to Osheas in Laguna Niguel (15min) they have a great selection.
Oh and do not go to Goat Hill Tavern this place SUCKS! Bunch of frat boys and kids, place smells like puke.
**Edit ohhhh and how can I forget Hollingshead Delicatessen in Orange...This is by far the best place to drink craft beer and they have an amazing bottle shop. Their Sandwhiches are amazing..its a very cool family owned place ..only thing is they are closed on the weekends.. If you can go here first!
oh and wasteland? seriously? The Bruery, Noble Ale Works, Valiant Brewing, Bootleggers Brewing..Just because you dont live here and not familiar with the area dont call it a wasteland..kinda a subjective comment dont ya think..oh and did you seriously say BJs? haha uhh ok
I grew up here and I call it a wasteland. Can't wait to GTFO. Bruery is awesome though.
I wish everyone thought like you and would not live here so I wouldnt have to pay half a million dollars for my $#%$#% condo.
Well I left because its a homogenized concrete dump.
oh and wasteland? seriously? The Bruery, Noble Ale Works, Valiant Brewing, Bootleggers Brewing..Just because you dont live here and not familiar with the area dont call it a wasteland..kinda a subjective comment dont ya think..oh and did you seriously say BJs? haha uhh ok
I wish everyone thought like you and would not live here so I wouldnt have to pay half a million dollars for my $#%$#% condo.
Also, yea, I grew up in Orange County and all my family and in-laws live there, as well as most of my friends. I can call it a wasteland if I like. The Bruery makes great beers for sure, but it's not a place I'd go after work to have a pint with my mates. If you don't like Belgians or SHV, you're a bit out of luck there. And Bootleggers? It's fine, but Karl Strauss makes better beer and serves tastier food.
If you had read my comment, you'd see I called out a specific BJ's as having a decent craft selection apart from their own beers- there are usually at least 4 or 5 beers on draft I can drink any day of the week. I mentioned it because it's in a place someone visiting Irvine is likely to be close to.
Across the street from that BJ's is the Lazy Dog, an average type restaurant with some contracted house brews and another decent craft selection. Honestly, as long as you're not into really out there beer, the Yard House at the Spectrum is your best bet. Who knows how long the unpopular beers have been sitting in those 200ft lines.
Also, what's your problem with BJ's? I don't get the snobbery.
BJ's is terrible. Originally hailing from Chicago, as I do, makes me think they should be prosecuted for fraud for marketing their "pizza" as "deep dish". There's a BJ's right here in Laguna Hills, and notice it was deliberately left off my recommendation list.
Their beer is passable, but the place is *NOT* someplace I'd call a worthy destination.
I've been disappointed in the Laguna Hills BJ's ever since Gordon Biersch moved out of that location and BJ's replaced them. Getting Slaters & Bru in town was a MAJOR upgrade over BJ's.
You called out Laguna Hills specifically, which makes me think you're actually going to be *HERE* rather than Irvine. Since I live in Laguna Hills, I think I can call myself a decent expert on this one
Right off El Toro and I-5 are two places (both technically in Lake Forest, but are <3 miles from my house in Laguna Hills):
http://www.slaters5050.com/
http://www.brugrill.com/
Slaters is *awesome*. Absolutely amazing burgers (their signature patty, the 50/50, is 50% beef and 50% ground bacon. Really solid beer list too -- I'd estimate 60 taps, all good stuff. They should give you access to some smaller local craft breweries that you'll miss elsewhere.
Bru is also good, a bit higher end food-wise, and a bit shorter tap list, but rather nice. It definitely caters more to the "OC Housewife" type crowd, but it's still quality.
There's an Oggi's Pizza & Brewery in Mission Viejo.
There's a Total Wine & More (bottle shop) right across the freeway from both these places, and they've got a very good selection. There's also a new Whole Foods in Laguna Niguel, also right next to Laguna Hills.
If you are willing to travel a bit farther south, Pizza Port in San Clemente is a great place to stop.
One warning -- you may be tempted to go to Stadium Brewing Company in Aliso Viejo -- RESIST THAT URGE.
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