Description by Brandon Hernández
Dubbed the “Hoppiest Place on Earth,” O’Brien’s Pub stands as the longest-tenured craft beer bar in all of San Diego. Owned and operated by Tom Nickel, a brewer and big wheel in the San Diego craft beer community who utilizes his tight relationships with brewers from around the world to procure high quality and hard-to-spelunk bottles, kegs, and casks, this lively spot is equal parts cozy, low-frills neighborhood hang and destination location. When renowned brewers like Adam Avery, Vinnie Cilurzo, or Rob Tod touch down in America’s Finest City, they make a b(eer)-line to Nickel’s lair for Meet the Brewer, vertical tasting, and beer-and-food-pairing events. But O’Brien’s doesn’t need on-site celebs to make it memorable. The impressive quaffs on the tap list (70% of which fall in the pale ale to IIPA range and always include the bar’s best-seller, Pliny the Elder) are enough on their own.