By Stephanie Thara Metzinger\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n As Southern California starts to heat up, you may be looking for a place where you can enjoy the nice weather with a fresh, frosty brewski in hand. We have you covered.\u00a0<\/p>\n My friends, family and I have journeyed all throughout Orange County to compile a list of the top craft breweries with outdoor patios that can offer a haven during these summer months. These breweries were selected based on a methodical formula that factored in elements such as the size and quality of the outdoor venue; beer and food selection; activities\/entertainment available; and of course, vibe.\u00a0<\/p>\n Let\u2019s get into it.\u00a0<\/p>\n Golden Road has the best beer garden I\u2019ve ever seen. Ever. There are numerous outside areas you can escape to \u2013 whether it\u2019s in the endless sea of umbrella-covered benches atop artificial grass or just relaxing on the couches surrounding a fire pit. It has three full bars outside, along with a portable mini bar and taco stand. Multiple water stations are available outside to keep you well hydrated without having to go inside the taproom.<\/p>\n You can find games like cornhole, ping pong, and massive Connect 4, and the brewery turns up the vibe at night with caf\u00e9 lights and music.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you read my \u201cTop 8 Kid-Friendly Breweries<\/strong><\/a>\u201d blog, you know how much I sing Hangar 24\u2019s praises for being the most kid-friendly brewery in Orange County. And that\u2019s mostly because of its kick ass outdoor area. <\/p>\n Hangar 24 sports an insane amount of open space and seating, with six different areas you can choose to sit in. The expansive space includes an outdoor bar, basketball court, aviary, two areas of artificial turf to run around\/play sports, and multiple stages for live entertainment.\u00a0<\/p>\n I thoroughly enjoy the wide selection of beers that Brewery X offers on tap. As a bonus, the beers are unique and quite tasty. Brewery X\u2019s Biergarten is expansive with numerous zones of seating and also houses the brewery\u2019s own restaurant, X EATS.\u00a0<\/p>\n Villains maintains a large outside patio with a few different seating areas that are, for the most part, shaded. While the beers are okay at best, the food served from the in-house restaurant is delicious. I\u2019m also a fan of its vibe, with notorious villains painted on walls and doors throughout the facility.\u00a0<\/p>\n First off, Bootlegger\u2019s beers are phenomenal. If you want a good selection of beers, where every single beer is delicious, then definitely head to Bootleggers. The patio at its Fullerton location is substantially large with ample seating \u2013 but it\u2019s a lot of concrete. It typically has a food vendor during peak hours. Bootleggers also has a Costa Mesa location, which has a much smaller patio.\u00a0<\/p>\n Salty Bear\u2019s outdoor patio is always high energy and has a happening vibe. With bench seating that wraps around the facility, patrons can choose to sit either in the eclectic concrete jungle or welcoming gravel oasis. As every patron here usually has a dog, this is one of the most dog-friendly breweries I\u2019ve visited in the OC.\u00a0<\/p>\n Though Green Cheek\u2019s tap room is quite spacious, its outdoor patio satisfies if you are looking to enjoy a solid beer outdoors. It has several rows of bench seating atop artificial turf. It also has a portable mini bar when the brewery reaches peak hours. Additionally, Green Cheek has a location in Sunset Beach with a small, rooftop patio that\u2019s outdoors.\u00a0<\/p>\n The patio area is built out into the parking lot and not as big as the previous breweries mentioned, but it\u2019s still pretty comfortable. What wins me over about Laguna Beer Co is its ample selection of beers (trust me, each and every beer is yummy!) and that it has a kitchen with a solid selection of shareables and flatbreads.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although its taproom is small, the Bruery has created a fairly large makeshift outdoor patio in the parking lot that\u2019s outfitted with artificial grass, ample seating, shade and a barrier of barrels to act as a wall. The Bruery is known for its experimental beers, so if you are looking for a unique collection of beers, this is your place.\u00a0<\/p>\n Everywhere is a hidden gem. While its taproom seating is fairly spacious, the patio is where the brewery really shines \u2013 especially at night. When the sun goes down, caf\u00e9 lights overtake the outdoor patio and cast a romantic glow that creates a welcoming, warm vibe. Everywhere\u2019s desert-themed artwork\/design plus its delicately lit patio truly creates a vibe that beckons for a good pint of beer and comforting conversation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Now, these are just the Top 10<\/strong>. I would be remiss if I didn\u2019t share the full<\/em> list of breweries throughout Orange County with a respectable patio. I had a little help from CaliBeerBear<\/strong><\/a>\u2014my beer influencer buddy\u2014to collect the data, but here it is!\u00a0<\/p>\n Have we missed any that you feel should be added to the list? Share them below in the comment section or email us at socalcraftbeer@gmail.com. We\u2019d love to hear from you!<\/p>\n Until next time, cheers!<\/p>\n \u2014 Stephanie2210 E Orangewood Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Pro tip<\/strong>: peak hours tend to be 2 hours prior to game time, so check the Angels schedule to avoid the crowds\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n17877 Von Karman Ave, Unit 110, Irvine, CA 92614<\/em><\/h3>\n
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3191 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806<\/em><\/h3>\n
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555 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805<\/em><\/h3>\n
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130 S Highland Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832<\/em><\/h3>\n
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2948 Randolph Ave, Unit C, Costa Mesa, CA 92626<\/em><\/h3>\n
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2957 Randolph Ave, Ste B, Costa Mesa, CA 92626<\/em><\/h3>\n
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859 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651<\/em><\/h3>\n
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717 Dunn Way, Placentia, CA 92870<\/em><\/h3>\n
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1501 W Orangewood Ave Ste. 101, Orange, CA 92868<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Instagram @stephzinger<\/a>
https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/stephaniethara<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n