Helix Brewing Co. — Restaurant in La Mesa

Please go to their IG account @helixbrewingco and look at the oldest pictures, they show what the space originally looked like. Wow, right?

I like the “industrial backyard garden” vibe and think that the lighting outside works with the laid back casual flora. Inside it’s more industrial with the sort of nautical rope and rebar foot rest (dig it). The bathrooms have the recently popular shared sink area outside, great for calling people out for not washing their hands, but the bathroom doors need that foot press/hook thing. I haven’t been curious enough to ask about the green house looking thing in the back, too busy drinking beer.

I recently suggested they install a chalk board for score keeping on the bag toss and security cameras throughout. It’s uncommon for a brewery to get broken into, but I’m looking at the place (1 way street, close freeway access, poor lighting around location, places around them keep very different hours, close neighbors and mostly street parking are all things burglars look for). What are they going to steal the beer, no, but B&E’s are not to be overlooked. They keep water for dogs seeing as they have a brewery dog Tucker and water for humans on the bar with cups. If you ask nicely they may give you cold water they keep in the cooler. I kind of liked the fake plastic wooden topped steel high chairs. I wasn’t a huge fan of the entrance on the right and having to walk thru a bag toss game each visit, but assuming people aren’t DB’s it should be fine.

They are getting more merch and growlers very soon (middle of September). Prices are reasonable and their menu of 8 is not too big or small for their capacity. I’m glad they have a stout on nitro offered along with a variety of ale’s and ipa’s. I love a good IPA, but some places forget not everyone likes them as much.

I was not a fan of their Wiezen or their Ale, found them boring and not refreshing. I did like the Red Ale, great mouth feel, body. The IPA wasn’t a true West Coast which would turn away hop heads. The Rye had bite which I liked, but the black rye was bold, fantastic, filling, like a stout with a Double IPA fill. The oatmeal in the stout was hinting and the porter was a tad forgettable. Great names, nothing too crazy. Dog and kid friendly to a certain extent, not much in the way of ventilation, natural cross or artificial. I like them a lot and despite people’s concern both them and Bolt will do just fine being this close together. It’s not like Breweries are failing in SD, which means were not saturated and Helix is a welcome addition to both East County and San Diego’s...

What I like: The location is great with a beautiful garden setting. The beer is very enjoyable. I can tell that a lot of care goes into their product. It's a different vibe from other bars, I feel like I could read a book here enjoy a beer. It's almost meditative at times.

What I don't like: Parents letting their children do that high pitched scream thing. The bathroom sink being in the middle of the bar so the interior bar patrons just stare at the back of your head while you wash your hands. Sometimes the beer menu can become a bit unbalanced, not enough variety. The bartender I see the most isn't very friendly. Not unfriendly, but certainly not welcoming - feels like walking into someone's living room instead of a bar. I can't stand a particular band that plays here often, not the fault of Helix, but I've endured them twice and it left a bad taste...

I’m obsessed with this sour-based brewery. If you love sours like I do, you HAVE to make your way here! They have so many varieties of sours, from lights to reds to darks (even stout sours, I mean how fun is that?!) and all are delicious. Build your own tasting flight and sample a little bit of everything because they all have unique tastes you won’t want to miss - my favorites were the Past & Present Tense red sour with pomegranate & green apples and the Pocketful of Secrets but they alll rocked my taste buds. Sour Worx is right next to Helix brewery so if you’re craving something less sour that’s right there. I also was a huge fan of the music playing! Cute outdoor area with cornhole and flowered vibes crawling...