In June, we provided a look inside the work-in-progress brewery being built by the family-run Hodad’s burger enterprise. That 3,000-square-foot facility, its 10-barrel brewhouse and 60-barrel cellar are all the charge of head brewer Marlow Myrmo, who says Hodad’s Brewing is ready to debut its first creations. That will happen at Hodad’s locations in Ocean Beach and downtown San Diego on the final day of San Diego Beer Week, November 11.
The following are notes from Myrmo and brewer Josh Ferracioli on his inaugural quartet of ales…
Boss Brew Kölsch (5.5% alcohol-by-volume): A light German-style pale ale with a dense white head and brilliant clarity. The malt offers a nice, grainy sweetness, while the hops lend a delicate, floral characteristic to the beer. This is a well-balanced beer with mild bitterness and a crisp, refreshing finish.
Local IPA (6.6% ABV): We’re keepin’ it West Coast with this one. A big punch of pine, lemon and grapefruit citrus aroma and flavor are prominently on display thanks to a healthy dosing of “C” hops that shine nicely in this West Coast IPA, which finished dry with a firm bitterness.
Throwback Brown (5.5% ABV): Our American brown ale features a rich malt character that offers notes of chocolate, caramel, toasty malt sweetness and a light hop citrusiness. This is a medium-bodied ale with a deep-brown coloration, ruby highlights and a dense tan head.
Hefeweizen (Name TBD, 4.5% ABV): Our traditional, unfiltered, German-style hefeweizen pours a pale straw color with a billowy, white head. Prominent banana with light clove notes come through in the aroma and flavor. This is a medium-light bodied beer with a full mouthfeel and refreshing finish.
All four beers will be available beginning at 11 a.m. on Sunday, and members of the brew crew plan to be at both spots throughout the day to talk beer with customers. Hodad’s restaurants are located at 5010 Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach and 945 Broadway Downtown. Hodad’s Brewing’s brewery is not open to the public, making those the only two spots to sample (though house beers will be available at the company’s five locations inside Petco Park come baseball season). But it wouldn’t be the same without a burger, now, would it?
