30th Street might as well be paved with gold considering its rep with SoCal beer drinkers. San Diego beertrepreneurs have concentrated their hoppy focus on a stretch that flanks University Avenue in North Park. Hamilton’s Tavern was the final stop on our San Diego beer tour, yet another beer lover’s haven that’s worth a detour to South Park.

We already made five beer-driven San Diego stops and were nearing capacity. Given that, I ordered a single pint.

Hamilton’s Tavern replaced a neighborhood dive bar called Sparky’s in 2006. Owner Scot Blair named his bar for longtime South Park resident, who ironically doesn’t drink beer. Blair retained the bar’s neighborhood feel, featuring a curved wooden bar, an always-changing blackboard menu, 25 taps, pool table and shuffleboard.

Blair strung Hamilton’s ceiling with Christmas lights and bygone tap handles.

We tasted Coronado Brewing Company’s Idiot, a highly hoppy double IPA, but opted for a $4.50 pint of AleSmith Anvil, a malty, drinkable ESB that was the brewery’s first beer in 1995.

Hamilton’s Tavern was a totally accessible, relaxed pub that deserves more attention on my next drive south.