We have much respect for Tom Nickel for many reasons, and one of them is the time he puts into the frequent O’Brien’s newsletter. If you can’t make our party tonight, be sure to stop by his. Here are some clips from the latest O’Brien’s newsletter that gives a glimpse into the early days of San Diego Beer.
“This weekend we celebrate 17 years of great beer at O’Brien’s. From the time that original owner Jim O’Brien opened in 1994, O’Brien’s has been a home for San Diego’s great beer. The pub was the first account for many of the county’s breweries including the one we will feature this Friday, Pizza Port. Lindsey and I took over the pub from Jim in 2003 and since then the beer scene has only gotten better. Just 10 years ago, you could not find a regularly distributed draft double IPA. And now we often have four double IPAs on tap from dozens of different breweries. When the San Diego Brewers Guild began adding Pub Members, there were only 2 – O’Brien’s and Liar’s Club. Now there are 18 Allied Pub Members with more added each year. Many of the breweries that were around 17 years ago are no longer even with us – Hops!, RJ’s Riptide, PB Brewhouse, Baja Brewing, La Cruda and La Jolla Brewhouse. When O’Brien’s opened Stone, AleSmith and Ballast Point all had yet to brew a batch of beer. The transformation in our beer scene is stunning – and thankfully we all reap the benefits, one pint at a time.”
Happy 17th to O’Brien’s from all of us at West Coaster.