San Dimas Weekends: Your Ultimate Guide to Craft Beer and Local Eats Pairings
- Jason Hargrove
- Oct 17
- 8 min read
Looking for the best San Dimas craft beer pairings? The perfect match involves combining iconic local dishes, like the Hawaiian BBQ from Kahu or the rich curries from Himalayan Cafe, with exceptional craft brews from San Dimas's own Highpoint Brewing Company and Feathered Serpent Brewery. This guide unlocks the secrets to pairing San Dimas's best food and beer for your perfect weekend in. The San Dimas Weekend, Upgraded.
The weekend in San Dimas has a certain rhythm. It might start with a morning hike in the San Gabriel Mountains, feeling the sun warm the trails. Maybe it’s a lazy afternoon by Puddingstone Reservoir. Whatever your adventure, it ends the same way: you’re back home, you’re relaxed, and you’re hungry. The last thing you want to do is get back in the car. You want incredible local food and a perfectly chilled craft beer to land in your hands, like magic. This is where the real San Dimas shines. Beyond the main drag lies a food scene packed with independent, high-quality gems that locals know and love.1 From authentic Nepalese curry to classic Italian and celebratory Mexican feasts, our city punches way above its weight. And at the heart of it all? A burgeoning craft beer scene, led by the passionate brewers at Highpoint Brewing Company and Feathered Serpent Brewery, who are crafting some of the most exciting beers in the San Gabriel Valley.2 This isn’t just another food guide. This is your roadmap to the ultimate San Dimas staycation. We’re pairing the city’s most beloved dishes with its best local brews. Forget the guesswork. Your perfect weekend is about to get a whole lot tastier.
The Main Event:
Four Perfect Pairings for Your San Dimas Staycation We’ve done the delicious work for you. Here are four can’t-miss San Dimas craft beer pairings that bring together the best of our local restaurants and breweries. Each one is a complete vibe, a curated experience ready to make your weekend unforgettable.
1. The Island Escape: Kahu Hawaiian BBQ & Highpoint Brewing Co.
The Scene: It’s Friday night. The week is done. You want pure, uncomplicated comfort food that feels like a mini-vacation. The savory, smoky-sweet aroma of Hawaiian BBQ is calling your name. This is the meal that signals the official start of the weekend.
The Food: The Hawaiian BBQ Mix plate from Kahu Hawaiian BBQ is a local legend for a reason.4 It’s a generous platter loaded with tender, marinated BBQ chicken, savory BBQ beef, and rich, flavorful Kalbi short ribs. Add a scoop of their famously creamy macaroni salad and steamed rice, and you have a masterpiece of texture and flavor.4
The Beer: Highpoint Brewing Company’s Cabo San Dimas. This crisp Mexican Lager, clocking in at an easy-drinking 5% ABV, is the perfect companion.6
Why It Works (The Expert Take): This pairing is a masterclass in the principle of contrast. The rich, sweet, and savory notes of the BBQ sauce and the creaminess of the macaroni salad can coat the palate. The Cabo San Dimas, with its light body and crisp carbonation, acts as the ultimate reset button.7 It slices through the richness, cleansing your palate and getting you ready for the next perfect bite. The subtle sweetness from the lager's malt base harmonizes with the caramelization on the grilled meats without ever competing, making the entire meal feel brighter and more refreshing.
2. The Spice Route Sensation: Himalayan Cafe &
The Scene: Saturday night. You’re feeling adventurous. You want to go on a journey without leaving your couch. It’s time to dive into the complex, aromatic world of Nepalese and Indian spices, a true culinary treasure right here in San Dimas.
The Food: The Chicken Tikka Masala from Himalayan Cafe is a showstopper. Tender pieces of chicken, marinated and baked in a tandoor oven, are smothered in a luxuriously creamy and aromatic tomato curry.8 To not order it with their fresh, warm Garlic Naan for dipping would be a crime against flavor.10
The Beer: Feathered Serpent Brewery’s West Coast Hopper IPA. This is a bold West Coast IPA (7.5% ABV) loaded with Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic hops, ready to stand up to big flavors.11
Why It Works (The Expert Take): When you’re dealing with intense spice, you need an assertive beer. A weakly flavored brew would be completely lost. The West Coast Hopper IPA doesn’t just survive the powerful spices of the masala; it dances with them.7 The beer's significant hop bitterness provides a brilliant counterpoint to the curry's spice and richness. The bright citrus and pine notes from the hops actually complement the aromatics in the dish, like coriander and turmeric, while the bitterness cuts through the creamy sauce, preventing flavor fatigue. It’s a bold pairing for a bold meal, and a perfect example of matching intensity with intensity.
The Neighborhood Fiesta: Casa del Rey & Highpoint Brewing Co.
The Scene: It’s time for a feast. You’ve got friends coming over, or maybe you just feel like celebrating. You need a meal that’s comforting, classic, and guaranteed to make everyone happy. Nothing fits that bill better than a spread of authentic Mexican food.
The Food: The Carnitas Dinner from Casa del Rey Mexican Restaurant & Cantina is pure comfort. It features slow-roasted pork that’s incredibly tender on the inside with those irresistible crispy edges, served with rice, beans, fresh pico de gallo, and warm tortillas for building your own perfect tacos.12
The Beer: Highpoint Brewing Company’s Uncle's Red Ale. This American Amber/Red Ale (7.2% ABV) has the perfect malt backbone for this dish.6 Another fantastic option is their Highpoint Tango Brown, an American Brown Ale at 5.6% ABV.6
Why It Works (The Expert Take): This is all about finding flavor harmonies. The process of slow-roasting pork creates deep, caramelized flavors through the Maillard reaction. Amber and Brown Ales are defined by their malt character, which brings notes of caramel, toffee, and toasted bread to the party.14 When you sip the Red Ale alongside a bite of carnitas, these complementary flavors merge beautifully. The beer’s malty sweetness mirrors the pork's savory caramelization, while its moderate hop bitterness provides just enough of a counter-punch to balance the richness and cleanse the palate. It’s one of the most satisfying food and beer San Dimas pairings possible.
4. The Gourmet Night In: Vincenzo's Terrazza & Highpoint Brewing Co.
The Scene: You’re craving something a little more elegant. A date night at home, a special anniversary, or just a Tuesday where you feel like treating yourself to some top-tier Italian cuisine. This is the pairing that turns your dining room into the best table in town.
The Food: Vincenzo's Terrazza’s Lasagna Verde Bolognese. This is not your average lasagna. It’s a truly authentic dish made with homemade spinach pasta sheets layered with a rich, slow-simmered traditional Italian meat sauce and creamy mozzarella.15 It’s hearty, complex, and deeply satisfying.
The Beer: Highpoint Brewing Company’s Beer Candy. This is a big, beautiful Belgian Strong Golden Ale, coming in at a potent 11% ABV.6
Why It Works (The Expert Take): With a dish this rich and decadent, you need a beer that can cut through the fat and complexity without getting lost. The Beer Candy is the perfect tool for the job. Belgian Strong Golden Ales are known for their high carbonation and complex flavors of fruit and spice (esters and phenols) derived from the yeast.14 The lively effervescence and high alcohol content slice through the richness of the Bolognese and cheese like a surgeon's scalpel, scrubbing your palate clean. The beer’s subtle notes of pear, apple, and clove provide a fascinating, delicious contrast to the savory, umami-packed meat sauce, elevating the entire experience.
Your San Dimas Pairing Cheat Sheet: Build Your Own Perfect Match
Ready to be your own pairing expert? It’s easier than you think. Just remember three simple ideas: match the intensity of the food and beer, find flavors that complement each other, and don’t be afraid to use contrast to cleanse your palate. Use this table to create your own perfect San Dimas craft beer pairings.
## Your Questions, Answered: San Dimas Food and Beer FAQ
### What are the best craft beer breweries in San Dimas, CA?
San Dimas is proudly home to two fantastic craft breweries. Highpoint Brewing Company, located at 402 W Arrow Hwy #12, is the city's first brewery and offers a huge, diverse tap list with everything from crisp lagers and classic IPAs to rich stouts and potent Belgian ales.[6, 19] Feathered Serpent Brewery, at 555 West Allen Avenue, STE 11, brings a creative, often culturally-inspired approach to their beers, with a great lineup of hazy IPAs, refreshing blondes, and unique seasonal offerings.[3, 20]
### Where can I find the best food and beer pairings in San Dimas?
You've come to the right place! This guide details some of the absolute best pairings, like Kahu Hawaiian BBQ with a Highpoint Mexican Lager or Himalayan Cafe's curry with a Feathered Serpent IPA. The key is to explore the amazing diversity of local restaurants and match the intensity and flavor profile of their dishes with the fantastic beers being brewed right here in town.
### What type of beer goes best with Mexican food?
It depends on the dish! For lighter fare like fish tacos or ceviche, a crisp, clean beer like a Mexican Lager or a Pilsner is perfect because it won't overpower the delicate flavors. For richer, savory dishes like carnitas, al pastor, or mole, you want a beer with more body and a malty backbone. An Amber Ale or a Brown Ale will have caramel notes that beautifully complement the roasted flavors of the meat.
### Can I get local San Dimas craft beer delivered?
Yes! While some local liquor stores like Clete's Liquor may offer delivery services [21, 22], the easiest and most curated way to get local craft beer delivered is with a service like Brwtxt. We specialize in bringing the best of the local and regional craft beer scene, including fantastic brews from places like Highpoint and Feathered Serpent, right to your doorstep. It’s the simplest way to build these perfect pairings at home.
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