Sunny Grove Rain Delay, a 6.8% West Coast IPA from Sunny Grove Brewing in Santee, is San Diego Beer News’ Beer of the Week for Oct. 30. In the SDBN write-up, Brandon Hernández says the recently released IPA shares tap space with Sunny Grove’s core IPA, Hammerhead, and that the regulars are “making space in their hearts” for it.
No formal release date has been announced. Sunny Grove’s own tap list shows Rain Delay pouring now. Here’s what’s in it, straight from the brewer, plus how to find it in East County.
Sunny Grove Rain Delay: what’s in the glass
Co-owner and head brewer Scott Christian walked SDBN through the recipe. “For this one, I kept the body very light to really let the hops shine, using a mix of German Pilsner and Canadian 2-row malts, and keeping all the hops in the whirlpool and dry-hop,” he said.
“I used a large charge of Simcoe and Idaho 7 along with some Columbus Lupocore,” Christian continued. “This combination gives big grapefruit, passionfruit and tropical-fruit notes up front, with some dank, piney resin notes to round it out at the end.” He called it “a hit in the taproom and one of my favorite West Coast IPAs we’ve brewed so far.”
| Spec | Rain Delay |
|---|---|
| Style | West Coast IPA |
| ABV | 6.8% |
| Malts | German Pilsner, Canadian 2-row |
| Hops | Simcoe, Idaho 7, Columbus Lupocore |
| Hopping | All in the whirlpool and dry hop |
| Where | Sunny Grove taproom, Santee |
Sources: Scott Christian via San Diego Beer News (Oct. 30, 2026); Sunny Grove tap list.
Rain Delay tasting notes, according to SDBN
Hernández’s notes focus on citrus. He describes Rain Delay as “big on citrus with lemon candy, tangerine and orange pith on display,” sitting in “the sweet-spot in terms of texture and mid-level alcohol.” He calls it “both delicious and refreshing, perfect for sating the deep thirsts of East County denizens.” Those are his notes and Christian’s. We haven’t tasted it, so our scanners are staying in the off position.
Why one more IPA makes sense
Hernández frames Rain Delay as part of a bigger shift. Early brewpubs often poured a single IPA, he writes, while today’s drinkers expect several. Brewers chase different hop combinations, substyles and strengths, and “many have created IPAs they like just as much or even more than their OGs.” That’s the case here, he says, with Rain Delay winning over fans of Hammerhead.
Sunny Grove Rain Delay on tap in Santee
Sunny Grove’s online tap list shows Rain Delay at 6.8% alongside Sun Kissed (a 5.6% blonde ale), Outsider (5.9% amber), Dark Knight (4.9% schwarzbier), Jandals (6.3% New Zealand IPA) and Supergalactic (7.1% hazy IPA). Pours come in 4-, 10- and 16-ounce sizes. Hammerhead wasn’t listed on the online tap list when we checked on Oct. 30, so call ahead if you want to compare the two side by side.
The taproom is at 8665 Argent St., Suite B, in Santee. It’s open 3 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, according to the brewery’s website. There’s no kitchen. Sunny Grove partners with local food trucks that change weekly, and trivia runs Thursdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
About Sunny Grove Brewing
Sunny Grove is a young brewery with momentum. SDBN reports the husband-wife team behind it originally wanted to open in Lemon Grove, hence the name, but ran into permitting issues and moved into the former Pacific Islander Beer Co. space in Santee. It was named Best New Brewery at the 2025 San Diego Beer News Awards.
Planning an East County run? Our San Diego brewery list maps taprooms countywide. For another new San Diego West Coast IPA, see Coronado Brewing Swellbound.
FAQ
Rain Delay is worth the trip
Rain Delay is a 6.8% West Coast IPA built on a light malt base, with all the hops going in during the whirlpool and dry hop. It earned SDBN’s Beer of the Week on Oct. 30, and Christian counts it among his favorite West Coast IPAs he’s brewed so far.
It’s pouring in Santee now, with no cans or end date announced. If you’re in East County, set your coordinates for Argent Street.
Transmission complete.
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