Best Craft Beers In OC For Your 4th of July Backyard BBQ
The Fourth of July means fireworks, grilling in the backyard, friends, family, love for our country, and BEER! Grilling and beer go hand-in-hand – while one hand is flipping burgers, the other is knocking back an ice cold one. Orange County has many local craft brewers with even more brews to choose from. The wide range of flavors run the gamut from hoppy, bitter and tropical to citrus, roasty, caramel and even pine. These flavors and aromas pair well with charcoal grilled meats. Reduce your carbon footprint and choose one of these local beers for this year's Independence Day!
Citcoe Drive
Valiant Brewing Co.
2294 N. Batavia St.
Orange, CA 92865
(714) 204-0080
www.valiantbrewing.com
Citcoe Drive is an IPA (Indian Pale Ale) that is made by Valiant Brewing Company exclusively for the 4th of July holiday. Made with Citra and Simcoe hops, this is a balanced single India Pale Ale with an elevated hoppy flavor and increased bitterness. However, it has a bright tropical nose along with some passion fruit and citrus tones. This choice would be ideal for a luau-themed backyard barbecue to match its exotic, tropical aroma.
Anaheim Red
Anaheim Brewery
336 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 780-1888
www.anaheimbrew.com
Anaheim Red is an Irish-style ale from Anaheim Brewery that starts strong in flavor but ends with a smooth finish. This beer is malty, with noticeable caramel characteristics and a subtle roasted taste. The roasty caramel notes match the char flavors found in grilled meats, which makes a perfect pairing for the backyard barbecue whether burgers, steaks, or chicken is on the menu. It is available in both growlers (64 oz.) and six-packs.
The Citizen
Cismontane Brewing Company
1409 E. Warner Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(949) 888-2739
www.cismontanebrewing.com
The Citizen (6% ABV, 45 IBU) is a tribute to the California Common, which was a type of beer that existed before the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment and the prohibition of alcohol. California Common is usually brewed with a special lager yeast that tends to work better in warmer temperatures such as those experienced in southern California. Historically, this method was used in the late 1800s when refrigeration was a luxury. Cismontane Brewing Company's interpretation sees the California Common as a golden, warm fermented lager that has an assertive hoppy aroma.
Related: Orange County's Best Breweries
Trestles IPA
Left Coast Brewing Company
1245 Puerta Del Sol
San Clemente, CA 92673
(949) 276-6014
leftcoastbrewing.com
Trestles IPA (6.8% ABV) by Left Coast Brewing Company is an American-style IPA that is brewed with a 2-row malt and an imported light crystal malt. Its opaque orange color and clean finish are the result from the two different and distinct malts. CTZ and Chinook hops are combined with Simcoe and Centennial dry hops which produces a brew with a clearly noticeable citrus aroma. This light-bodied beer is a perfect pairing for not only your favorite meats at a backyard barbecue, but also for any of the lighter fare you might find gracing the picnic table like baked potatoes, corn, or even a tossed green salad. Trestles IPA is available in 12 oz. cans in both six-packs and singles.
Land Of Hopportunity
Four Sons Brewing
18421 Gothard St.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 584-7501
foursonsbrewing.com
Four Sons Brewing's Land of Hopportunity (6.3% ABV) is a West Coast-style American IPA. It has a moderately bitter taste with simultaneous notes of both pine and citrus fruit. It is a truly unique brew that seemingly defies all attempts at description. Should you choose to indulge in this brew, close your eyes while tasting. Your mind will immerse you into the serenity of leisurely hiking a quiet trail that has an orange grove on one side and a conifer forest on the other.
Related: Best Brewery Tours in Orange County
Chelsea Madren, also known as the OC Food Diva, is local food & travel critic in Orange County, CA. With a sense of adventurous, Chelsea scours the world for great food, breath-taking views, accommodations, and activities galore for the perfect getaway.