Duck Foot Brewing Co., Miramar
I came to Duck Foot Brewing today because I saw an ad saying this was the release date for an Irish stout (4.0% ABV). It is available on both nitro and CO2. I had the nitro version. It is black with a tan head whose density reminds me of Guinness, though the head was mostly dissipated after a few minutes. The mouthfeel is creamy and thick at first, but it finishes thin and clean. The dominant flavors are caramel and toasted malts. As typical on nitro, the aromas are muted. It is a good stout. 3.5/5
Duck Foot pours five year-round core beers (at $8, a flight is a good deal). They have rotating limited release beers, too, eight of them today (nine if you count both gases on the stout) plus a non-alcoholic craft soda. Duck Foot’s The Contender IPA with Chilis (6.5%) won silver at Great American Beer Festival in the chili beer category. They have won a couple of other medals at other competitions as well. I had the opportunity to chat with a brewer for a few minutes and he was a really down-to-earth guy who loves beer and knows what he is talking about.
The atmosphere is modern and cool. The dark grey concrete bar and floor are complemented by black metal and mixed woods. Together with the large black metal-framed windows and exposed ceiling, the overall aesthetic is “comfy pomo.” The jazz/funk music station Jasper the bartender put on Pandora helped create a fun and relaxed feeling. A group of friends was having a good time playing one of the several board games available. About 12 people were here mid-afternoon on a Thursday, and there was a steady flow of people coming in to get bombers to go or to fill growlers. It is a nice scene.
The staff are super-friendly, eager to talk about the beers, and they have great attitudes. They clearly have fun with each other, too, which is a good sign of a healthy workplace. It is a pleasure to give them business.
I also tried the Mocha Nut Porter with Peppermint (5.9% ABV). Peppermint and sweetness dominate the aroma and flavor, and mesh beautifully with the roasty malts and the hint of chocolate on the palate. It tastes like Christmas. This porter pours very dark brown with an off white head that rings the glass all the way. I could drink a lot of this. 4/5
Duck Foot is very close to the Miramar Brewery Igniter that is home to Pure Project and Amplified Ales. All three are definitely worth a visit when you are in the area. So is Division 23, which the brewer from Duck Foot recommended. I’m heading there next.
www.duckfootbeer.com 8920 Kenamar Drive, Suite #210, San Diego, CA 92121
Don’t Just Take My Word For It (Links to Related Beer Writing)
San Diego Magazine on Duck Foot Being Gluten-Reduced with some good photos.
San Diego Magazine’s Brewery Guide entry.
