Oggi's is a brewery and restaurant, native to San Diego. Like many places it serves pizza and beer, the classic combination. It does so quite well, afterall pizza and beer is one meal that is very difficult to get wrong.
Oggi's has the added bonus of having a variety of beer on offer, with the extra benefit of suggesting a beer for each meal. All done right on the menu. Their descriptions of their beer are quite apt.
The Duck Dive Hefeweizen for example is described as having a creamy taste, and while I would attribute this to it, the beer can be said to be extremely pleasant. This is made more so by the addition of a lemon wedge, which when squeezed and droped in the the 'Hefe' gives the SoCal vibe to the classic shandy or radler. Don't let its mild taste, and surf warn color fool you, it is good with any pizza.
The same can be said for the Paradise Pale Ale. It was smooth and refreshing with the simple pure elegance of a classic pale ale without the over indulgent hoppiness that at times can be too overwhelming. This beer would do quite well in Europe based on its simplicity alone.
Speaking of Europe, Oggi's also offers McGarvey's Scottish Ale which is very reminiscent of Newcastle Brown Ale. If anything it is a more mild version of Newcastle, which isn't in Scotland, and with undertones of caramel. Quite possibly a hint of molasses.
To round out an evening at Oggi's, I recommend the Sunset Amber Ale. A hint of orange gives it both its color and its flavor; allowing you to sit and enjoy a pleasant ale as the evening wanes.
All told Oggi's knows what they're doing, what with eight different beers. The only problem is that they offer only one lager and that's a light beer. There is no middle of the road beer to choose that would accompany any pizza at any time, or simply satisfy one's thirst for beer. What Oggi's offers is well-crafted, American style beers with plenty of flavor and variety, so don't expect to be served some mere yeast flavored water with a hint of alcohol to accompany your pizza like you can buy in any store. Oggi's isn't the place for that.
With more than 15 locations around California and Arizona Oggi's shouldn't be hard to find.
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