Ep 3. San Diego

In Beerland season 3 episode 3, host Meg Gill travels to San Diego, California to explore the city's thriving craft beer scene. San Diego is known for being a hub for beer innovation, and Meg meets with local brewers who are pushing the envelope with their creations.

One brewery that Meg visits is Modern Times Beer, which has a unique approach to brewing. They not only focus on making great beer, but also creating a unique experience for their customers. Meg tries the brewery's flagship beer, the "Fortunate Islands," which is a Belgian-style pale ale with a twist of citrus. She also samples "Dinosaurs Will Die," a double IPA with a bold hop flavor. The unique names and flavors of Modern Times' beers reflect the brewery's creative approach to brewing.

Next, Meg visits Pure Project, a brewery that focuses on sustainability and local ingredients. The brewery's co-founder, Jesse Pine, shows Meg their brewing processes, which emphasize using local ingredients like fruits and spices. Meg tries "Murklands," a New England-style IPA that's made with locally sourced guava. She also samples "Hazy Jane," a double IPA that's brewed with locally sourced grapefruit. Both beers are complex and flavorful, and Meg learns about the care and attention that goes into sourcing ingredients in small batches.

Meg also visits Alesmith Brewing Company, which has been a staple of the San Diego craft beer scene since the 1990s. Meg meets with owner Peter Zien, who shows her the brewery's impressive barrel-aging program. She tries "Wee Heavy," a beer that's been aged for three years in bourbon barrels. The result is a complex and flavorful beer with a smoky, caramel flavor. Meg also samples "Thai Speedway Stout," a bold imperial stout that's brewed with Thai coffee and spices.

Finally, Meg concludes her tour of San Diego's craft beer scene at Fall Brewing Company, a neighborhood brewery that's popular with locals. She meets with the brewery's founder, Dave Lively, who shows her their brewing processes and explains how they incorporate music and art into their brewery. Meg tries "Willy Time," a classic West Coast-style IPA with a hoppy, grapefruit flavor. She also samples "Freedive," a refreshing pilsner that's perfect for hot San Diego days.

Throughout the episode, Meg learns about the passion and creativity that goes into making great craft beer. She discovers how these San Diego breweries are pushing the envelope with their flavors and ingredients, and how their commitment to sustainability and community makes them stand out in the crowded craft beer landscape.