La Jolla Brewing Company's interior — Photo courtesy of La Jolla Brewing Comany
Though the name is quite similar to its predecessor, the new La Jolla Brewing Company in San Diego is remarkably improved in every way. New ownership brought drastic changes to the space, menu and overall mission.
Look closely at the new logo, and you'll see La Jolla's famous Sunny Jim's Cave, where contraband whiskey was smuggled in during Prohibition. Plus, it's the only cave accessible by land, beckoning a number of visitors in the know to check it out each year. La Jolla Brewing Company chose this iconic landmark to represent their mission of putting La Jolla on to San Diego's craft beer map.
La Jolla Brewing Company currently brews more beers on site than any other establishment in the seaside community. These five beers bear locally-inspired names of Sunny Jim's IPA, Neptune's Nitro, Glider Port Pale, Cove Side Stout and Bird Rock Brown. In addition, 24 other local beers on tap are available, with seasonal favorites rotating in to keep selection fresh.
They've also introduced a new beer cocktail menu in partnership with Blind Tiger Cocktail Company. Can't wrap your head around a beer cocktail? For example, the Hops and Robbers cocktail features Sunny Jim's IPA, reposado tequila and housemade grapefruit-lime cordial.
Fresh, healthy salads are now an option at La Jolla Brewing Company. — Photo courtesy of Katie Dillon
If there's one thing that's noticeably different, it's the food. Fresh, seasonal favorites grace the lengthy menu and range from gourmet mac and cheese bowls to salads to hearty entrees. The crab cakes are a popular order, as is the burger.
We've even heard reports that the banana wonton dessert (bruleed bananas and honey cream cheese in a wonton wrap with salted beer caramel sauce and peanut butter) is worth a few extra minutes on the treadmill. This is a major step up from your average bar food.
Ambiance includes an outdoor patio with fire pits and a number of TVs for those looking to catch the game. Sure, it's a brewery, but it's totally okay to bring the family for lunch or dinner, including the dog. There's plenty for the kids to eat, and a few peeps here and there won't bother anyone. La Jolla Brewing Company wants to become your neighborhood hangout.
Check the brewery's website for specials, because there's one almost daily. Burger Mondays bring $8 beer flights and $10 burger plus beer from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. On Tuesday evenings, go for Taco Tuesday and Trivia, where $3 tacos, $4 Dos XX, $5 margaritas and $6 Espolon shots keep guests feeling festive.
Wine Wednesday means $4 wine and that it's happy hour all day. Speaking of San Diego's favorite time of day, happy hour is Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. And, there are even more specials to be had throughout the week.
There's a small parking lot. Otherwise, street parking on Fay or Eads is your best bet. Give the new La Jolla Brewing Company a try!
