Greetings from Oceanside, says the beer

In July, the San Diego Tourism Authority commissioned an official destination beer, dubbed 72 and Hoppy, from Point Loma's Bay City Brewing Co.; this month, North County counterpart Visit Oceanside followed suit. The tourism marketing organization announced it has launched a destination beer of its own.

Oceanside brewery Midnight Jack Brewing Company produced the Greetings from Oceanside IPA. Whereas 72 and Hoppy aimed for broad appeal, with a low, 4.2-percent alcohol session IPA, Oceanside goes for a bolder style more likely to entice craft-beer devotees. At 7 percent ABV, Greetings from Oceanside is a New England IPA, the very much in-demand style known for its low bitterness; big, fruity aromatics; and a hazy, unfiltered appearance.

Style aside, cofounder and head brewer John Scheri says Midnight Jack created the recipe for the beer with an Oceanside focus. "Almost all of the ingredients for this beer were either locally grown or locally acquired here in San Diego," he says. "Even our yeast." Oceanside propagator Real Brewer's Yeast provided the so-called Conan yeast, known as a Vermont IPA yeast, and one of the first associated with the New England IPA style.

The fruited IPA was brewed with a unique combination Azacca, Mandarina Bavaria, and Warrior hops, including a double dry-hopping with Azacca. Its tropical and citrus notes are enhanced by the addition of fresh pineapple and locally grown tangelo.

Like San Diego's destination beer, Greetings from Oceanside won't be the city's permanent representative brew. Cerina De Souza, the director of marketing for Visit Oceanside, says, “We look forward to continuing this campaign each year, working with different Oceanside breweries."

Each will also receive different labels. This one features the sort of vintage postcard design that inspired the Greetings from Oceanside name, with the lettering containing photos of Oceanside sights.

And, yes, you'll have to go to Oceanside to find it. Cans from the 30-barrel batch are available for purchase at Midnight Jack, while it's currently being served on tap at popular beer destinations around the North County beach city.