The Karl Strauss-Pizza Port Mutual iration Society convened recently, resulting in the reissue of Nectaron of the Gods.
The two breweries created this West Coast IPA in 2023. Nectaron, which features the Nectaron hop plus another new varietal, Eleni, was meant to be just another one-and-done collaboration.
“But this one was too good,” said Paul Segura, Karl Strauss’ director of brewing operations. “We had to bring it back.”
Besides, this gave Team Karl and Team Port an excuse to hang out together.
“I’ve always been a fan boy, always loved Pizza Port,” Segura said. “They epitomize San Diego beer.”
“We’ve had such a long relationship with them,” Sean Farrell, Pizza Port’s director of brewing operation, said of Karl Strauss. “It was such a cool experience.”
Nectaron of the Gods is available on draft at Pizza Port brewpubs, and in cans inside all Karl Strauss locations.
Ups and downs
Dickens would have enjoyed the Brewers Association’s report on the past year in U.S. craft beer.
It was the best of times: In 2024, retail sales climbed 3 percent from 2023, to an estimated $28.9 billion. Industry jobs also jumped 3 percent, to 197,112.
The worst of times: The amount of beer produced in 2024 dropped 4 percent from ’23. Moreover, the nation has fewer breweries (9,680) than it had in ’23 (9,747). Not since 2005 had the number of craft breweries declined.
The so-so of times: Craft brewers produced 23.1 million barrels of beer, enough to claim 13.1 percent of the nation’s total beer production — the same as last year.
“In a mature market,” said the Brewers Association’s economist, Matt Gacioch, “not every year is going to be defined by substantial growth.”
Or much growth at all.
Thai Beers
Statistics aside, the U.S. is still the land of beer opportunity. Just ask Supapong “Toon” Pruenglampoo, founder of Sandport, a Bangkok area brewery, now embarked on a three-month tour of California.
In San Diego, Toon poured three Thai craft beers at Kin Len, the Thai street food spot in North Park. Like virtually every Thai restaurant in the U.S., Kin Len sells Singha, Thailand’s ubiquitous beer.
“We thought they basically need more choice,” Toon said.
Of the choices in his portfolio — an IPA, a crisp lager and a wit — the latter was my favorite, despite its, um, unusual ingredient.
Yodbeer’s Bearnana Wit ‘s sun-dried Thai bananas tickled my nose and taste buds. You could say this light, refreshing beer has plenty of ap-peel.
The Next Round
Today: The Padres launch this season’s series of six BeerFests with today’s party kicking off at 4 p.m. until just before the first pitch at 6:40 p.m. against the Tampa Bay Rays. Booths will sell a range of craft beers for $5 per pour. Future BeerFest dates are May 30, June 20, July 11, Aug. 1 and Sept. 12. Gallagher Square, Park in the Park, Petco Park: 100 Park Blvd., San Diego. petcoparkinsider.com.
Quick Sips, Penny-Pinching Edition
A financial double whammy — the tax filing deadline colliding with Wall Street’s tariff-related freak out — led me to go bargain hunting.
Beer: Natural Light
From: Anhe-Busch, St. Louis
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4.2 percent
Style: Light American Lager
Cost per pint: $.94
Drink or Dump: Dump. As thin as the Colorado Rockies’ chances to win the World Series and as flavorful as a rice cake, Natural Light is truly light. Still, there are light beers — including non-alcoholic ones — with more flavor. You’ll find a hint of hop and a meager malt character, but mostly you’ll taste water.
Boatswain Double IPA
From: Rhinelander Brewing, Rhinelander, Wis.
ABV: 8.4 percent
Style: Double India Pale Ale
Cost per pint: $1.51
Drink or Dump: Dump. Rhinelander brews this for Trader Joe’s, so it may have begun life as a decent beer. However, TJ warehouses beers on unrefrigerated shelves and allows them to sit for months — mine was brewed last November. That explained Boatswain’s stale, wet cardboard flavor.
Foster’s Lager
From: SAB Miller, Fort Worth, Tex.
ABV: 5 percent
Style: Australian Lager
Cost per pint: $1.75
Drink or Dump: Drink. Purists might object to the corn syrup that’s an ingredient here, but Foster’s is a brisk lager. It’s foamy, sports herbal hops and a mildly sweetness — again, that corn syrup — that surrenders to a dry finish. While nearly twice as expensive as Natural Light, it offers more than twice the thirst-quenching value.
