Best of 2019: House of Drinks

When breweries first started putting fruit in beer, I was mystified and a little grossed out. But I’ve since been transformed and am now firmly on the flavored IPA train. It may have been the Grapefruit Sculpin IPA that first did it, but Barrelhouse Brewing Co.’s Mango IPA is no slouch. That beer is a local go-to and for good reason. It is, as Barrelhouse says, one of the most enjoyable IPAs they’ve ever made. A well-balanced beer with citrus hops and a dash of mango, it’s smooth and delicious. You can drink it in the Barrelhouse Beer Garden in Paso or head down into the Barrelhouse Speakeasy in downtown SLO. Of course, it’s also available up and down the coast, on tap at your local bar, or in the fridge wherever you buy your beer. Prost!

—Camilla Lanham

barrelhousebrewing.com

@bhbc

facebook.com/barrelhousebrewing

Best Happy Hour

Luna Red

1023 Chorro St., SLO

M-W, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Th., 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; F, 11:30 a.m.-midnight; Sat., 10 a.m.-midnight; Sun., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

(805) 540-5243

info@lunaredslo.com

lunaredslo.com

@luna_red

facebook.com/LunaRedSLO

Best Winery for Sparkling Wine

Laetitia Vineyard & Winery

453 Laetitia Vineyard Drive, Arroyo Grande

M-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

(805) 481-1772

info@laetitiawine.com

laetitiawine.com

@laetitiawine

facebook.com/laetitiawine

Best Brewery

BarrelHouse Brewing Co.

SLO, Paso Robles

HOURS VARY by location

barrelhousebrewing.com

@bhbc

facebook.com/barrelhousebrewing

Best Tasting Room

Edna Valley Vineyard

2585 Biddle Ranch Road, SLO

M-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

(805) 544-5855

ednavalleyvineyard.com

@ednavalleyvineyard

facebook.com/EdnaValleyVineyard

Best Tasting Transportation

SLO Safe Ride

284 Higuera St., suite D, SLO

(805) 620-7233

slosaferide.com

facebook.com/slosaferide

Best Drink with a View

Ventana Grill

2575 Price St., Pismo Beach

M-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

(805) 773-0000

ventanagrill.com

@ventanagrill

facebook.com/VentanaGrillPismoBeach

Best Wine Bar

Luis Wine Bar

1021 Higuera St., SLO

Sun.-Th., 3-11 p.m.; F-Sat., 3 p.m.-midnight

(805) 762-4747

luis@luiswinebar.com

luiswinebar.com

facebook.com/luiswinebar

Best Red Wine

Edna Valley Vineyard

2585 Biddle Ranch Road, SLO

M-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

(805) 544-5855

ednavalleyvineyard.com

@ednavalleyvineyard

facebook.com/EdnaValleyVineyard

Best White Wine

Edna Valley Vineyard

2585 Biddle Ranch Road, SLO

M-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

(805) 544-5855

ednavalleyvineyard.com

@ednavalleyvineyard

facebook.com/EdnaValleyVineyard

Best Dog-Friendly Winery

Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards

1947 See Canyon Road, SLO

M-Sun., 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

(805) 595-9700

info@kelseywine.com

kelseywine.com

@kelseywine

facebook.com/KelseyWine

Best Beverage Slinger

Nicole Sigman-Black Sheep Bar & Grill

1117 Chorro St., SLO

M-Sun., 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

(805) 544-7433

blacksheepslo.com

facebook.com/blacksheepslo

Best Dive Bar

McCarthy’s Irish Pub

600 Marsh St., SLO

M-Sun., 8 a.m.-2 a.m.

(805) 544-0286

I’m not sure how many people have “1019” tattooed somewhere on their bodies, but I’ve seen more than a few. That’s the old address of McCarthy’s Irish Pub when it was at 1019 Court St. McCarthy’s is a bar that engenders tattoo-levels of loyalty. Back on March 19, 2007, about a dozen patrons and a few bartenders picked up the then-20-foot bar and walked it four blocks down the sidewalk to its current location at 600 Marsh St. That wasn’t the first time McCarthy’s moved. Its original owner, Joe McCarthy—a former pro wrestler known as the Red Devil—got in a rift with his business partner when the bar was located in The Gold Room on the corner of Monterey and Morro streets. He and his patrons picked up the bar and moved it to Court Street. At some point, McCarthy’s will no doubt have to move again. Its patrons can be counted on to pick up the bar and carry on its traditions.

—Glen Starkey

@mccarthysirishpub

facebook.com/McCarthysIrishPubSLO