Tom Ryan has World Series-sized ambitions for his new East Village tavern.
“We are redefining sports bars for the next generation of sports enthusiasts,” he said.
Bold words, but Ryan’s track record lends him some credibility. The founder of Smashburger, he is all-in on his latest venture: Tom’s Watch Bar, a coast-to-coast empire of upscale sports bars.
His East Village spot, the 16th in the chain, is at 815 J St., adjacent to Petco’s Park at the Park. The food is a cut above pub grub — there are burgers, yes, but also Nashville hot chicken, a prime rib sandwich, a tuna tower of sushi-grade ahi. The bar offers cocktails, mocktails, wine and beer, with pints starting at $6.
Dozens of wall-sized TVs put the watch in the Watch Bar, broadcasting baseball, basketball, soccer, MMA bouts — whatever’s in season.
“Every seat,” Ryan said of his 400-capacity bar, “is the best seat in the house.”
When I visited, Tom’s beer list was light on local brews — AleSmith’s .394 was the only San Diego beer I found on tap. Ryan said that may change, as he tries to tailor each Watch Bar to his customers’ tastes.
Fortunately, fans of San Diego beers have ample choices for a pre-Padres pint.
You could toss your car keys from Petco’s Tailgate Park to Mission Brewing’s cozy spot at 131 14th St. Need a side order of history with your beer? The Church, the 1906 wooden chapel at 1313 J St., once held Presbyterians services for Mexican parishioners. Now, it’s devoted to pouring Lost Abbey brews.
These are taprooms, not breweries — Mission brews in Miramar, Lost Abbey in Vista. But East Village Brewing Co., is a brewery and taproom at 201 Park Blvd., Suite 101. That’s only a drag bunt from Petco’s Park Boulevard gate.
Finally, don’t overlook Half Door Brewing — or its successor. When I wrote this, the Irish-themed brewery at 903 Island Ave. had been sold but was still operating, awaiting the day when the new owners — Anaheim’s Villains Brewing — move in.
Karl toasts Disneyland’s 70th
Disneyland in Anaheim and San Diego brewery Karl Strauss have enjoyed a profitable partnership since 2001, when Disneyland’s sister theme park, Disney California Adventure, first featured Karl’s beers.
Last week, when the Disneyland launched a yearlong party for its 70th birthday, that relationship grew stronger. Disney announced that restaurants inside Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will offer Karl Strauss Brewing Company 70th Anniversary IPA.
The Disney Park Blog describes the brew as “a single-hopped American IPA with grapefruit aromas, citrus, and tropical fruit flavors.”
No word on whether this is the Hoppiest IPA on Earth.
The Next Round
June 4: Hops on the Fairway, the San Diego Brewers Guild’s 11th annual fundraiser, tees off at 10 a.m. Besides the golf tournament, expect prize drawings, a cocktail reception and dinner. Proceeds benefit the Guild. The Links at the Lakehouse, 1750 San Pablo Drive, San Marcos. Tickets start at $200. sdbeer.com
June 28: Rhythm & Brews, San Diego Beer Weekend’s premier event, features beers from 30-plus local breweries plus the music of Loom, Soulseller and DJ Goldie. 1 to 4 p.m. – VIP ission is at noon. Citrus and Broadway, downtown Vista. $65 to $95. sdbeer.com/rhythmandbrews.html
Quick Sips, Batting Practice Edition
Before catching the Padres at Petco, enjoy one of these three easy-drinking beers:
Beer: Mopeds in Milan
From: Lost Abbey, Vista
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5 percent
Style: Italian-style Pilsner
Drink or Dump: Drink. An Italian-inspired twist on a German style, Mopeds is clean, crisp and quaffable. European hops provide a modest nip at the finish, cleansing the palate and prepping you for the next refreshing sip.
Old Mission Lager
From: Mission Brewing, San Diego
ABV: 4.5 percent
Style: Pre-Prohibition-style Lager
Drink or Dump: Drink. Two hours before each Padres home game, Mission’s East Village taproom offers two beers for $5 a pint: Shipwrecked Double IPA and Old Mission Lager. At 9.5 percent ABV, Shipwrecked could leave you marooned before the first pitch. I opted for the lighter, biscuity Old Mission, a blast from San Diego’s brewing past: the recipe dates back to 1913.
Flight of the Peach
From: East Village Brewing, San Diego
ABV: 6.5 percent
Style: Fruit Beer
Drink or Dump: Drink. Like knuckle balls, fruit beers often veer off in unhappy directions, from sticky sweet to stomach-churning sour. Flight of the Peach soars above these pitfalls, delivering fresh stone fruit flavors from organic California peaches, enhancing the wheat malt base. Toast the boys of summer with this beer of summer.
