.394: The Story of a San Diego Legend and a World-Class Brewery

Welcome to another special "Classic" edition of the I Like Beer podcast. We're reaching into the archives to re-release one of our most popular field trips ever: a visit to the legendary AleSmith Brewing Company. At the time of this recording, AleSmith was not only a six-time Great American Beer Festival and five-time World Beer Cup gold medalist, but was also officially rated the #1 brewery in California and #6 in the entire world. A brewery so integral to the city's identity, San Diego even renamed the street it's on in their honor. Join the Jeffs on-location as they sit down with Head Brewer Ryan Crisp for an exclusive look inside one of craft beer's most revered institutions. This episode is more than a conversation about beer; it's the story of a journey. We trace Ryan Crisp's incredible path from a 21-year-old homebrewer volunteering his time to becoming the fifth employee and, eventually, the Head Brewer of this world-renowned brewery. Ryan shares the powerful, behind-the-scenes stories of how AleSmith's most iconic beers came to be, including the heartfelt and historic collaboration with San Diego's beloved hall-of-famer, Tony Gwynn. Discover AleSmith’s guiding philosophy of balance—an approach so refined they can craft a 10% Triple IPA that remains "deceptively smooth" and harmonious, proving their mastery over classic styles and modern innovation. Listen in for an insider's tour, hear the stories you can't get anywhere else, and taste along as Ryan Crisp guides you through the exclusive beers that define San Diego craft.