Oggi’s Pizza & Brewery - Orange

Visited August 22, 2014.

I left early for a concert (Soundgarden) and got some dinner on the way. No, it’s not a coincidence that I chose a brewery that I haven’t rated yet as my stop. I just have so little business in this corner of OC so I thought I’d take the opportunity to get the place tick. It’s in a large shopping center at the end of the building. I got there during happy hour so the place was busy and the prices were good. I got the last seat all the way at the end of the bar under the TV so I couldn’t watch the game but that’s fine. My plate of loaded fries was half off and the glass of Drakes Denogginzer was $2 off. So for under $10 I got dinner and a beer (granted a large plate of fries may not qualify as dinner to some but sustenance is sustenance when you’re going to be crammed in with 20,000 sweaty stoners). They also provided a free taste of a seasonal IPA that I’m not sure I’d had before. There was no name given of the beer nor was there an ABV provided so I decided not to care and just ate my fries and drank my Denogginzer. My bartender was friendly but was easily distracted and forgot my glass of water twice.

Not much remarkable about this place aside from the happy hour prices. It’s a sports bar with average house beer. Over all kind of forgettable.

Despite living just a few miles from here for over a year, I never went here until yesterday, when I now live 15 miles away. Sort of a small location, much of which is taken up by the bar. Quite a few taps, about 6-8 of which are house beers and some decent guest taps. Friendly bar staff and service. Good prices on the house beers (a pint of DIPA for about $4.50). Didn’t eat, but they have the same menu as all the other Oggi’s. You’re probably better off going to Bootlegger’s, Bruery, or Tustin, but in this particular area, it’s not a terrible option.

Nice big bar and about 30 taps, 7 house beers, guests and a few BMC. The pizza was average. The restaurant was filled with families that looked like they just came from kids soccer/baseball games. Lots of TV’s on, when it was getting close to the start of the USC game it was getting too busy and loud for me. I had 3 house beers, all were pretty solid.

Arrived around 5:00 on a recent Saturday evening and got a seat at the bar. Glad I arrived when I did as there was a waiting line formed by 6:00. Bartender was friendly, quick and very informative about the beers available. They had about 20 taps which consisted of a variety of styles and brewers, none of which I would consider to be common beers. Beer was served in proper glassware, perfect temperature and was definitely fresh. In the couple of hours i was there 3 kegs were kicked and switched to different brands. Enjoyed a Racers X, Blind Pig, Stone Belgium IPA, and a Pliny the Elder while there. While everyone raved about the food I thought it was average at best, no comparison to BBQ places back east. Could be a personal preference as i prefer my BBQ to be cooked with sauce on, not dry rubbed and sauced later. Blue cheese grits to die for but the ribs were tough and chewy. This is a definite stop for all beer lovers when in the area and was definitely my favorite spot during my week in Southern California. You can tell it is run by people that love beer and you have to love a place where the owner is active and visible in the daily operation.

I thought this place was alright, they had a couple decent beers (California Gold, Paradise Pale, & the Sunset Wheat). I also had a mixture of the Scottish and the Black Magic stout which was delicious. The servers really didn’t know much about the beers but the bartenders did know quite a bit. The pizza’s were pretty good. If you like somewhat hot/spicy things I would definitely suggest trying the Slam Dunk.

An average brewpub with mediocre food. The staff did not know anything about their beers.

I hit this place a few weeks after opening. The beers weren’t as good as the San Diego location and this place is a bit out of the way (unless you’re in the neighborhood).