Coming up at the end of September is the second annual Breitling Huntington Beach Air Show in Huntington Beach, California. (In case you don’t know, Breitling makes watches that you probably can’t afford.) This event, which will take place September 30-October 1, 2017, showcases several notable air performers (including the US Navy Blue Angels) who demonstrate precision, talent, and technique in their aircraft as they conduct flyovers, flips, and formations over the open ocean. As if this spectacle was not awesome enough, you get to enjoy the event while overlooking the beautiful Huntington Beach pier and soaking in some Southern California sun. What more could you need for your weekend getaway?
I’m glad you asked! An event like this is just not complete without a good brew (or two…or three). A Huntington Beach native myself, I thought I would share with you my favorite craft breweries where you can find some quality sips to enjoy with the air show. Did I mention that all three of these breweries are award-winning?
Located at 7631 Woodwind Drive, Huntington Beach
Beachwood Brewing’s tap room is an off-the-beaten-path local hangout. Beachwood has a beer for everyone. From lagers to porters, and hoppy IPAs in between, their tap room features more than a dozen kegs of fresh beer to choose from any time you visit.
An IPA fan myself, my go-to Beachwood beer is the Amalgamator—a West Coast-Style IPA hopped with Amarillo, Warrior, Columbus, and Mosaic hops. By including this unique combination of hop varieties in the kettle, Beachwood allows this beer to develop an amalgam (get it?!) of flavors more complex than your typical West Coast IPA. The Amalgamator is then dry-hopped with Mosaic hops, giving it a crisp, fruity, extra hoppy (99+ IBU!) citrus finish. This powerful, complex IPA is what many IPAs strive to be, especially considering it holds a silver medal in the American IPA category from the California State Fair!
If lighter beers are more your style, then you can’t go wrong with Beachwood’s award-winning Foam Top Blonde Ale. The Foam Top is a perfect refreshment for a summer day. It’s light body and mild hop flavor make this ale a crowd favorite. The Foam Top has been recognized for its perfection several times, winning gold medals at both the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup, as well as a silver medal at the San Diego International Beer Competition.
If you happen to find yourself in Seal Beach or Long Beach (just north of Huntington Beach), be sure to stop into Beachwood BBQ for a meal. The food is delicious, and all of their freshly-made beers are available on tap as well. Long Beach is also home to The Blendary, Beachwood’s small batch beer producer, which features uniquely-made Belgian-style ales.
Located at 18421 Gothard Street, Huntington Beach
This family-owned and operated brewery just celebrated its 3rd anniversary, and in its three years in Huntington Beach, Four Sons Brewing has made quite the impact! You would be hard-pressed to find an HB local who hasn’t enjoyed a Four Sons beer or their awesome tasting room. Four Sons combines quality beer with a family-friendly environment, making it a perfect weekend hangout spot for locals.
Each weekend, Four Sons releases at least one new beer, meaning there is always something new for you to try. The brewery features beers of all kinds, and they often experiment with different ingredients to put their own unique spin on a style of beer. Some favorites are the Coconutorius Amber Ale (a gold medal winning beer), the Not So Dum Raspberry Blonde, the O’Sonset Irish Red (one of the most decorated beers on the menu!), and The Great One American IPA (a gold medal winning beer). There really is something for everyone at Four Sons—sours, stouts, and sour stouts included.
My favorite Four Sons brew is the Hopprentice Hoppy Pale Ale. The hoppiness of this Pale Ale bridges the gap between a Pale and an IPA. The beer features a combination of crisp pine flavors with a citrus aroma. Hopprentice is a well-rounded beer that hits the mark on flavor. Combine it with some sliders from Kaya’s Kitchen (the staple Four Sons food truck) and you’ve got yourself the perfect lunch.
If you happen to be a hockey fan, be sure to stop by the brewery during hockey season. The family are big LA Kings fans, and there is almost always a game to watch while you enjoy your brew! It’s not uncommon to see other sports on the big screen throughout the year, too. Check out their wall adorned with beer competition medals during the commercial breaks.
Located at 17214 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach
Located just steps from Bolsa Chica State Beach, Riip Beer Company features its own style of beer that capitalizes on the laidback culture of Surf City, USA. Having just recently expanded their tasting room to accommodate more thirsty customers, Riip offers an idyllic beach environment, complete with an ocean view and outdoor patio, to enjoy some quality craft brew.
Riip beers are often hoppy and dank, but in the best, most balanced way possible. The tap room always has several IPAs on tap (those seem to be the specialty), with a few Blondes, Reds, Browns, and Porters to help round the menu board out. You really can’t go wrong with any beer on the menu…I’ve yet to try one that hasn’t been delicious.
If you’re stuck deciding between the variety of IPAs on tap, order the Super Cali IPA. You will love it. Super Cali won the silver medal in the American IPA category at the Great American Beer Festival in 2016, which is one of the most competitive categories in the beer world! For Riip to take home this prestigious award after only two years in the business says a lot. Another award-winning beer is the Dan K IPA, which won 1st place in the 2015 Taste of HB competition. As you may assume based on its name, this beer is dank and totally awesome.
If you are local to Huntington Beach (or happen to have an Airbnb for the weekend), take advantage of Riip’s delivery service. Yes, you read that right. Riip will deliver growlers of beer to your home. Sometimes your beer may even arrive by way of the Riip 1931 Helms Bakery Coach (which doubles as their logo!). Check out the Riip website to learn more about how their beer delivery service helped catapult their brewery into what it is today.
Riip will celebrate their 3rd anniversary this October. Join them for their anniversary celebration if you find yourself craving another hoppy beer!
If you find yourself in Huntington Beach for the air show, or any other time, I hope you’ll stop by these local businesses and support their passion for brewing and serving their community. I’m a frequent visitor to each of these places, and feel fortunate that my hometown has so many great local sips to choose from!
And, if you need me during the air show weekend, you know where to find me!
