A Taste of Belgium by Way of San Diego

The Lost Abbey Tasting Room in San Marcos, CA

First to introduce the idea that the centuries-old beer traditions of Trappist Belgian monks could work in a San Diego craft beer setting, this San Marcos brewery started something beautiful. Led by its many, many time award-winning brewer Tomme Arthur, The Lost Abbey has become one of the best recognized names in San Diego beer, internationally.

Any and all high praise has been earned. Lost Abbey consistently produces stellar beers that live up to the exacting standards of its Belgian forebears, whether it's a deceptively simple farmhouse style ale, or a once every three year, barrel aged sour blend that beer fans travel across the country to buy.

For starters, The Lost Abbey's Belgian blonde, Devotion, was made to drink well with lighter, spicier fare than a burger, but the dry, subtly hoppy ale tastes great next to anything. For more savory burgers, try the brewery's Lost & Found, a bigger than it tastes Belgian dubbel. The 8-percent ABV beer offers an almost chocolaty malt finish made interesting by complex, dried fruit character.

But to really dig into The Lost Abbey's use of fruit, go for the summer seasonal Framboise de Amarosa, which ages the Lost & Found ale for a year in red wine barrels, then doses it heavily with fresh raspberries. It's smooth, sour perfection.

A Chance to Drink the Best Porter in the Country

Second Chance Beer Company | Craft Brewery in San Diego

The truth of the matter is, Second Chance co-founder Marty Mendiola did a pretty great job with his first chance, racking up a host of beer medals during his fifteen years brewing for the Rock Bottom brewpub in La Jolla. However, he appears to have saved his best for his second career, overseeing his own Carmel Mountain Ranch brewery: he's done nothing but make superb beer since launching in 2015.

A great example of that is Tabula Rasa toasted porter — which happens to pair superbly with a cheeseburger. In each of its first two years in competition, Tabula Rasa won gold in the robust porters category at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival, meaning the chocolaty, roasted malt beer doesn't merely rank among the best porters in San Diego, but in the entire country.

Another burger-friendly winner is its hoppy American red ale, Legally Red, which cruised on its rich, caramel malts and fruity hops to earn silver in the same competition. But this brewery's worth more than just a second look — every one of its beers tastes fantastic, with or without food. Don't miss its crisp Seize the Day IPA, or the unlikely balance of Seize the Coffee, the same IPA made somehow better with the addition of cold brew coffee. Tasting is believing!