The world’s first openly gay owned and operated brewery is thriving right here in America’s Finest City, serving their handcrafted beers and stone fired pizzas to hungry and thirsty locals. Make yourself comfortable and get to know more about the one and only Hillcrest Brewing Company.

 

Hillcrest Brewing Company opened its doors in beautiful San Diego California, in June of 2012. June is also the month that celebrates the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, which is widely considered to be the event that gave birth to the modern LGBT liberation movement. Now, 43 years later, craft beer is coming out of the closet, thanks to Hillcrest Brewing Company. A member of the Mo’s Universe family of restaurants, Hillcrest Brewing Co. serves up their fine handcrafted beers as well as stone fired pizzas, appetizers and recently added to their menu, wings! The Hillcrest Brewing Company family can’t wait to share what they are creating with you…whether it be a crisp, Sunday afternoon, Monday Night Football for 50¢ wings or their new daily “Hoppy Hour” from 4-6pm. Where they offer $2 off all drafts, flights, wine and growler fills…plus $2 stone fired pizza by the slice.

Located at 1458 University Avenue in the heart of the vibrant, lively community of Hillcrest, the brand new brewery and restaurant shares a wonderfully artistic atmosphere without any pretentious attitude. Chris Shaw, owner of Mo’s Universe said in the H.B.C. press release, “Our businesses have always been a place to come as you are and be who you are. The Hillcrest Brewing Company will follow in the line of our other restaurants in providing our guests with the best product and an extraordinary experience every time they visit us.” Hillcrest Brewing Company is nothing if not unique, from the beautiful hand-built stone and unfinished wood bar, to the ninety seven 22 oz beer bottles hanging from the ceiling over the main bar area. The ninety seven bottles hang from a 23-foot copula, stretch from the ceiling, one by one inching closer to the guests. Each with a single bulb strung inside, creating a chandelier with a sort of Frankenstein beauty. The team has created a comfortable, relaxing environment to be enjoyed by guests of all backgrounds and lifestyles. Guests are welcomed to either find a seat at one of the surrounding tables, outside on the open air patio, or of course grab a stool at the bar.

Hillcrest Brewing Company’s craft beer varieties are creations from the mind of Brew Master David White. White, who has an extensive background in home brewing, caught the attention of Mo’s Universe, and Hillcrest Brewing Company was born. Some of the brews he has created include Lucy’s Ale, an American Brown Ale, which clocks in around 5% ABV. White, who had a pet raccoon (Lucy), set out different grain varieties and let Lucy choose her favorites. These grains, picked by Lucy as her favorites, give this rich in flavor, yet not overpowering ale its backbone. Another brew is their Perle Necklace, loaded up with (and very loosely named after) perle hops, which give this crisp pale its minty, earthy and spicy hop tones. You can also get a glass of Long & Stout, a Russian Imperial that clocks in at just about 11% ABV, but will deceive most palates. Without any sort of alcohol bite, its smooth drinkability is a shocking surprise for a higher ABV brew. Other brews available include their Brain Lubricant imperial IPA, 8th day IPA or Banana Hammock scotch ale. White says, “Many of our beers are a little outside of convention. I started brewing to create beers that I liked, rather than to win competitions. As a result, many of my beers blur the BJCP guidelines here and there. Brain Lubricant, for example, is a strong ale with a long hoppy finish that could only be entered in the specialty beers category.” (From the Hillcrest Brewing Company opening day press release.)

Don’t be afraid to pair up any beer you prefer with some of Hillcrest Brewing Company’s signature stone fired pizzas, or newly introduced spicy or bbq baked chicken wings. Some pizza options on the menu include a clam pie with chopped clams, olive oil, spicy bacon and thyme, and a pie called the Meat Packer consisting of red sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham and jalapeno bacon. The menu also includes a traditional margherita style pie, and a garden vegetable pie, and many more. Hillcrest Brewing Company’s are a thin crust, wood fired style pizza. With a huge focus on the flour and water used in the crust creation process, you end up with a crispy, quality pizza crust loaded with tasty toppings that easily wash down with a crisp, craft beer.

If you are looking for a comfortable, friendly environment to have a craft beer and a bite to eat with friends, look no further! Hillcrest Brewing Company is a great place to find yourself any day of the week. Please look below for our photo gallery of the brewery and restaurant.
 

 Thank You to Eddie Reynoso and everyone at Hillcrest Brewing Company. Check out their Facebook and Twitter pages for event details. All photos taken by Three B Zine.