Tijuana: Easy as 1, 2, 3

Cinco de Mayo is more popular in the U.S. — it’s one of our top beer-drinking fiestas — than in Mexico. Still, this weekend is an ideal time to check out Tijuana’s thrilling craft cerveza scene. Here’s a three-stop tour:

1. BCB Tasting Room: Orizaba 3003E5, Colonia Neidhard

Industrial-chic BCB pours 300 beers, including 42 on tap. Order food from the kitchen — my ribeye sandwich, $11.75, was scrumptious — then a brew from Border Psycho, Ramuri or another Baja brewery (pints are $2.50 to $4).

For almost five years, BCB has been introducing locals to full-flavored ales and lagers.


“People weren’t fully sold on the craft beer thing,” said Felipe Vera, a partner with founder Ruben Valenzuela. “It took awhile for it to catch on.”

Baja Craft Beer, or BCB, occupies an industrial chic space. (Alejandro Tamayo / San Diego Union-Tribune)

2. Mamut and Norte: Avenida Revolucion at Calle 3, downtown

A half block south of Revolucion on Calle 3, Mamut’s brewery/tasting room occupies a prime second floor spot. On a warm day, the wide balcony is the perfect place for an on-point Belgian IPA.


Back on Revolucion, turn right, then right again down the alley between a Caliente sports book and a parking structure. On the garage’s fifth floor, Norte offers award-winning beers and panoramic views from the city to Otay Mountain.

“Tijuana is craft beer heaven,” said Norte’s brewer, German Alcazar.

3. Plaza Fiesta: Calle Paseo de los Heroes 10001, Zona Rio

The twisting pedestrian corridors here are lined with dozens of tasting rooms: Donkey Punch, Madueno, Ludica, Vibra, Insurgente, Ambar and more. I stopped at Border Psycho for a potent imperial pale ale, then Beer Balcony for 5 y 10’s creamy Cappuccino Stout.


The beers were new to me, yet tasted familiar.

“Whatever catches on in San Diego,” said Rudy Lopez Jr., 5 y 10 brewer and Beer Balcony partner, “the consumers and brewers in Tijuana follow closely.”

Cappuchino Stout is a popular choice at Beer Balcony. (Alejandro Tamayo / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Kings of Beer

Windows Up (7 percent alcohol by volume) has been my King of Beer for two weeks, and this Alpine IPA could extend its lease on the throne for a few more weeks or months. It’s that good.


But I crave variety, and Left Coast Brewing Co.’s Orange County IPA (7.1 percent) fills the bill. Brewed with California oranges, it has a zesty citrus aroma that teeters on the brink of too muchness.

A sip, though, banished my worries. The Mandarina Bavaria hops are assertive — Orange County boasts 55 bittering units, putting it in the mid-range for an IPA — and keep the juicy oranges in balance.

Orange County IPA (David Brooks / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Best of the week, local

New breweries pop up across San Diego County faster than dandelions in my yard, which makes Saturday’s Rhythm & Brews a great resource. The San Diego Brewers Guild’s annual spring bash unites many of the area’s latest breweries in one easy to navigate spot — the Vista Village District.


This year’s crop of newcomers includes Black Plague, Burgeon, Culver, Ebullition, Eppig, Midnight Jack, Rouleur and Wise Guys.

General admission, 1 to 4 p.m., costs $45; for an extra $5, VIP ticket holders can enter at noon. Tickets are available at sdrhythmandbrews.com/ticket/. Enter the fest at South Indiana Avenue and East Broadway.

The Rhythm part of the day? The headliners are P.O.D., the Tighten Ups and Ashley Hollander.

Last year’s Rhythm & Brews event. Yeah, it’s pretty popular. (Tim Stahl)


Chula Vista gets crafty

Less than three years ago, ChuIa Vista — the county’s second largest city — was a craft beer desert, lacking even a single brewery. That was baffling, considering this South Bay metropolis’ geographic location, with beer-loving Tijuana to the south and beer-loving San Diego to the north.

Now, though, this desert is blooming. Since fall 2014, the city witnessed the opening of Bay Bridge Brewing and Novo Brazil Brewing.

On Friday, the city will welcome its latest craft beer arrival: Chula Vista Brewery. debuting in the heart of downtown, 294 Third Ave. Visitors can expect five beers on tap: Saturation IPA, Beautiful View Pale Ale, Guerita Blonde Ale, Ruby Red Ale and an as-yet-unnamed stout.

Did you know…

Rhythm & Brews benefits the Brazilian Institute for Arts & Culture, which will host Brazilian Day San Diego at Belmont Park on Sept. 10.


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Twitter: @peterroweut


peter.rowe@sduniontribune.com