From North to South: A Guide to the Wineries of San Diego County
San Diego County is home to dozens of wineries. Use our guide to plan your countywide wine tasting tour.
Drink This Now: The Thief at Societe Brewing Company
The Drink: The Thief Barrel-Aged Ale
What Makes it so Good?
This San Diego barrel-aged ale won a gold medal in the Mixed Culture Brett Beer category at the 2018 World Beer Cup in Nashville this past May. The category ranks beers that demonstrate flawless execution in not only brewing, but the barrel-aging process as well.
Technique aside, it’s the unique source of Grenache Blanc grapes and the example of community that sets The Thief apart from other local brews.
Societe’s brewing team takes an annual grape expedition to Escondido’s Vesper Vineyards to hand-process the grapes before bringing them back to the brewery to make the magic of fermentation and red wine barrel aging happen for a beer that Societe describes as “a golden-hued, exquisitely balanced 6.3% alcohol-by-volume ‘Feral’ (barrel-aged, wild, sour) ale, featuring myriad bright, earthy, spicy, white-wine flavors.”
The 2017 vintage is only available in 500-milliliter bottles at the Societe Brewing tasting room, while supplies last.
Where to Get it
Societe Brewing Company Tasting Room
8262 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Kearny Mesa, San Diego
Related Stories & Recipes