New tastes for beer lovers in San Clemente

San Clemente’s craft beer scene is booming these days.

The city boasts four microbreweries — three in close proximity — featuring a rotating lineup of beer styles that appeal to most palettes.

Left Coast Brewing Company, in the Talega Business Park, opened its tap room in February 2013 adjacent to its brewing facility. Visitors can sample from 15 beers on tap in 5, 10 or 16-ounce pours.

Left Coast also sells 32 and 64-ounce refillable glass growlers to go, and offers select varieties in 12 and 16-ounce cans.

Cans have enjoyed a resurgence among craft brewers seeking fresher methods of storing and presenting beers.

Left Coast general manager Tommy Hadjis marveled at the evolution of San Clemente’s beer scene.

“I never thought we would have four breweries in the little surf town of San Clemente,” Hadjis said. “Now that it is a reality, we are loving every minute of it. The locals have been very supportive.”

Just down the street in Rancho San Clemente Business Park, Artifex Brewing Company welcomes visitors to its 2-year-old tap room.

Beer geeks can sip brews like Trigger Finger IPA and Bog Trotter Irish Red Ale next to brewing kettles — and the occasional sack of grain — for a true small brewery experience.

The brewery’s patio has become a popular post-work hangout for employees of nearby businesses and the tasting room recently expanded its weekday hours.

Visitors to Artifex can sample from up to 12 beers in 5, 10 and 16-ounce servings.

Artifex sells 64-ounce growlers to go, as well as 32-ounce “crowlers” — oversized cans that are filled and sealed while you wait.

The latest brewery is Lost Winds Brewing Company, which opened in 2016.

The brewery emphasizes Belgian-style ales, but also offers a solid lineup of IPAs and Pale Ales. The two-level tasting room features lots of seating and quickly builds to a celebratory ambience as groups gather for birthdays and other occasions.

In downtown San Clemente, the longtime favorite and elder statesman of the city’s breweries, Pizza Port, has supplied thirsty locals with about two dozen beers brewed in-house and a selection of guest beers since 2003.

Left Coast and Artifex offer light snacks such as pretzels or chips and salsa for guests to enjoy with their beers and Artifex and Lost Winds feature food trucks or visiting caterers around the weekend.

Left Coast patrons also enjoy discounts for Z Pizza delivered to the tasting room.

Hadjis added: “San Clemente is turning into a craft beer destination and I am proud to be representing with my fellow San Clemente breweries.”

Left Coast Brewing Company is at 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente; Artifex Brewing Company is at 919 Calle Amanecer, San Clemente; Lost Winds Brewing Company is at 924 Calle Negocio, Suite C, San Clemente; and Pizza Port is at 301 North El Camino Real, San Clemente.

STEVE R. JOYCE is a contributor to Times Community News.