San Diego scored a prestigious third place on that list, right below San Francisco, recognizing the city's growing beer-centric culture and its inspired and unwavering dedication to brews.
In 2012, the city hosted the World Beer Cup, dubbed "Olympics of Beer," that features 10 days of tastings and celebrations by a crowd from around the world. It's also home to what Beer Advocate Magazine called the "All-Time Top Brewery on Planet Earth" – Stone Brewing Co., home of the "Arrogant Bastard Ale." Draft magazine also put five San Diego beer bars on its Top 100 list, so make sure to check out Tiger! Tiger!, Small Bar, O'Brien's American Pub, Blind Lady Ale House, and Hamilton's Tavern.
And did we mention over 30 breweries that have taken the process of mixing barley, hops and yeast to a level of art? Yes, it's not just about basic sugars anymore. Think honey, orange and burn oak, just to name a few exotic ingredients that are not part of the complex flavor profiles. Add that to experimental techniques for upping alcohol content, and you're in for a killer buzz.