San Diego was one of America’s late bloomers, so it doesn’t have as much historical architecture to wow about as other cities. But in the East Village, one old white wooden house has sat on the corner of Ninth Avenue and Island Street since the early 1900s. It looks quaintly like time travel. And now Dan and Stacy Drayne, whose family owns The Field Irish Pub, have turned it into Half Door Brewing. With a classic, heavily lacquered wooden bar and a massive porch, it’s an instant attraction. Half Door is brewing its own dry English stout and pale ale, with more creations in the works. They’re also using their beers to braise their meats and create a killer thyme/pale ale mustard for pretzel bites. 903 Island Street, East Village
Half Door Brewing
Photo by Paul Body
