[Warren]

American breweries have caught up?
Which ones? I would try some if I knew which ones.

[TXBSAFH]

Sma Adams Boston Lager
Saint Arnold's Lawn Mower
Shiner Bock

[LibWhacker]

There are sooooo many good microbreweries right now, it seems like we're living in a golden age of great beer. And a lot of those brews are making it to store shelves.

I notice you said you are in San Diego. There are a couple of Beverages & More outlets in San Diego. They usually have a nice selection of hand-crafted beers/ales/lagers. I'm partial to amber ale myself and I can always find several excellent examples of that style at Bev&Mo, and often I've never even heard of them before. Seems like they always have something new and very good on the shelves for me to try. But don't expect to find a great beer for less than $7 or so for a six pack. So whatever style beer you prefer, go there, read the little reviews on the shelves and start loading up your cart with high-end samples. You're sure to find something you like.

Also, according to this list, there are also a bunch of world class microbreweries in the San Diego area. I know if I lived there, I'd beat feet over to the Ballast Point Brewery and order up a pitcher of that Calico Amber Ale tonight! It looks real good with all those awards hanging on it. :-)

[pdunkin]

Warren said
"American breweries have caught up?
Which ones? I would try some if I knew which ones."

Any beer by the following Maine micro's:
Geary's (especially their Hampshire Special Ale)
Gritty's
Shipyard
Sea Dog Brewing (Cabin Fever Ale is my favorite)
Atlantic Brewing Co.
Andrew's Brewing
etc, etc....

and, as the old joke goes...
What does Budweiser and sex in a canoe have in common?
They're both f*&%ing close to water.