If I was forced to compile a top-10 list of the best things in life, you can bet your last quarter the ocean and beer would be on it. If your delegates are like-minded, bring them to San Diego, where the Pacific meets a wave of brewpubs, brew tours and brew-centric restaurants.
“San Diego is continually growing and creating new vibes, and now we have another story to tell,” says Margie Sitton, senior vice president of sales at the San Diego CVB, of the city’s beer craze. “It provides many great options for meeting planners, including the opportunity to network and just have a good time outside in wonderful weather.”
To some degree, Sitton adds, meeting planners are looking to save costs when they’re putting together an event, which is another reason to ask the splendid folks at the San Diego CVB for brewpub recommendations.
“Pubs are decorated, often with floral arrangements, and some have beautiful gardens,” Sitton says. “The planner doesn’t have to create atmosphere.”
Two brewpubs that are popular with groups are Karl Strauss Brewing Company, a standby with four locations in San Diego County; and Escondido’s Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens.
Karl Strauss Brewing Company locations include downtown San Diego and La Jolla, and there are plenty of options for group programs and special events at its various facilities.
Located in northern San Diego County, the Stone Brewing facility accommodates up to 800 people and, according to Sitton, opens its back deck area for groups. But before enjoying its ambience and settling into its Adirondack chairs, delegates will have a decision to make: a Ruination IPA or perhaps an Arrogant Bastard Ale?
Meanwhile, a fun way to acquaint a small group with the hops and barley of San Diego is to arrange a tour with local firm Brew Hop. One of the company’s custom-designed brewery outings is the five-hour Beer Connoisseur—complete with samples, behind-the-scenes peeks at four breweries and a meal. Sitton says the program is perfect for a 12-person executive board.
“They’ll pick the group up in a limousine and take them around,” she adds, so there are no drinking-and-driving worries.
Another beer-centric option is The Yard House, situated downtown in the Gaslamp Quarter. The upscale bar and restaurant has a private room downstairs for groups, Sitton says. For beer enthusiasts, the already impressive establishment becomes more so when they notice it has one of the country’s largest selections of draft beer—130 tap handles.
If the group would rather drink from stemware than a pint glass, San Diego also serves up some fine wine. But, Sitton jokes, “You can only drink so much of it, so let’s go to a beer pub.”
My sentiments exactly.
For More Info
Brew Hop 858.361.8457 www.brewhop.com
Karl Strauss Brewing Company 619.234.2739 (downtown) 858.551.2739 (La Jolla) www.karlstrauss.com
Stone Brewing World 760.471.4999
Bistro & Gardens www.stonebrew.com www.stoneworldbistro.com
The Yard House 619.233.YARD www.yardhouse.com
