Chef Sweeney breaks the news to two chickens about the 'Tailgate party' they've been invited to

At R-Gang Eatery, nestled in Hillcrest, the head chef and proprietor Rich Sweeney, admits to being something of a novice when it comes to craft beer. “I met Wes Keegan who owns Tailgate Beer at a party in San Diego, and we got to talking. He lives in the neighborhood and he’s a customer. The next thing you know, we’re using his beer in one of our signature dishes, and our clientele couldn’t be happier”.  He is referring of course to their awe-inspiring “beer-can-chicken” recipe. When most people think of local craft beer, they don’t think of canned beer right away, but trust me, this recipe would be much harder to execute with a limp chicken and a pint glass ladies and gentlemen. Best we leave it to the pros behind the line at R-Gang, who render this amazing concoction; Tailgate Blacktop-Blonde Beer Can Chicken (Best Blonde at the International Beer Festival 2011) with Chile-lime potato salad and honey-jalapeno-butter roasted corn-on-the-cob, bobbing in a hoi sin pineapple BBQ sauce. This is craft beer cuisine at its finest.

Maui Brewing Co. Coconut Porter onion-rings with chicken sliders

If you’re just in the mood for a bite, Sweeney recommends their Sweet Onion Rings dipped and battered in the Maui Brewing Company’s Coconut Porter finished with cilantro and lime. It’s like a luau in your mouth. The aforementioned onion rings are the coup-de-grace on their Chicken and Apple Sliders, dressed with slaw, pineapple aioli and homemade pickles. If anyone understands the love that goes into craft beer, it’s a man who makes his own pickles. R-Gang is earnest, down home cuisine, and fun, fun, fun. If you don’t believe us, just check out the giant red sign out front that illuminates  their philosophy in thirty-six inch letters; “F-U-N” (really).     -A.R. Templeton