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The 15 Best Breweries In San Diego

San Diego is known for its thriving craft beer scene and is often referred to as the "Craft Beer Capital of America." With more than 150 best breweries in San Diego scattered throughout the city, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to visit.

May 04, 2023128 Shares2072 Views
San Diego is known for its thriving craft beer scene and is often referred to as the "Craft Beer Capital of America." With more than 150 best breweries in San Diegoscattered throughout the city, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to visit.
In this article, we will explore some of the best breweries in San Diego and what makes them stand out. Whether you're a local or visiting the city, these breweries are sure to offer a unique and delicious experience.

S02 E15 - Top 10 San Diego Breweries

Stone Brewing

Stone Brewing is a brewery located in Escondido, California, that is well-known for its unique craft beer offerings. The brewery was founded in 1996 by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner and has since become one of the largest craft breweries in the United States.
Stone Brewing is known for its bold and hoppy West Coast-style beers, including the popular Stone IPA and Arrogant Bastard Ale. Visitors to the brewery can take tours, taste beers, and enjoy the outdoor garden.

Ballast Point Brewing Company

Ballast Point Brewing Company is a San Diego-based brewery that was founded in 1996 by Jack White. The brewery has gained national recognition for its signature beer, the Sculpin IPA, which has won numerous awards at beer competitions.
In addition to the Sculpin IPA, Ballast Point offers a wide variety of other beers, including the Fathom IPA, the Victory at Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter, and the Grapefruit Sculpin IPA. Visitors to the brewery can take tours, taste beers, and enjoy the outdoor patio.

AleSmith Brewing Company

AleSmith Brewing Company is a brewery located in San Diego, California, that was founded in 1995 by Skip Virgilio and Ted Newcomb.
The brewery is known for its high-quality craft beers, including the popular Speedway Stout, which has won numerous awards.
AleSmith also offers a wide variety of other beers, including IPAs, porters, and seasonal beers. Visitors to the brewery can take tours, taste beers, and enjoy the outdoor patio.

Modern Times Beer

Modern Times Beer is a brewery located in San Diego, California, that was founded in 2013 by Jacob McKean.
The brewery is known for its unique and creative craft beers, including the popular Fortunate Islands Hoppy Wheat Beer and the Blazing World Hoppy Amber Ale.
Modern Times also offers a wide variety of other beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sour beers. Visitors to the brewery can take tours, taste beers, and enjoy the outdoor patio.

Societe Brewing Company

Societe Brewing Company is a brewery located in San Diego, California, that was founded in 2012 by Travis Smith and Douglas Constantiner.
The brewery is known for its Belgian-inspired craft beers, including the popular The Pupil IPA and The Harlot Belgian Pale Ale.
Societe also offers a wide variety of other beers, including saisons, stouts, and barleywines. Visitors to the brewery can take tours, taste beers, and enjoy the outdoor patio.

Green Flash Brewing Company

Green Flash Brewing Company is a craft brewery that was founded in 2002 by Mike and Lisa Hinkley. The brewery is located in the Mira Mesa area of San Diego and has a tasting room that is open daily.
Green Flash is known for their West Coast-style IPAs, and their most popular beers include West Coast IPA, Soul Style IPA, and GFB Blonde Ale. In addition to their core beers, Green Flash also offers a wide variety of seasonal and limited release beers.

Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Karl Strauss Brewing Company is one of the oldest and most well-known craft breweries in San Diego. Founded in 1989, Karl Strauss has grown to become one of the largest breweries in the region, with multiple locations throughout San Diego County.
The brewery is known for their award-winning beers, including Red Trolley Ale, Tower 10 IPA, and Mosaic Session IPA. Karl Strauss also offers a full menu of food at their brewpub locations, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

Pizza Port Brewing Company

Pizza Port Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery that was founded in 1987. The company has several locations throughout San Diego County, including their original location in Solana Beach.
Pizza Port is known for their unique and creative beers, including their famous Swami's IPA and Shark Bite Red Ale. The brewery also offers a full menu of pizza and other food items, making it a popular spot for families and beer enthusiasts alike.

Lost Abbey Brewing Company

Lost Abbey Brewing Company is a craft brewery that was founded in 2006 by Tomme Arthur. The brewery is located in San Marcos, a suburb of San Diego, and is known for their Belgian-style beers.
Lost Abbey's most popular beers include Red Poppy Ale, Devotion Ale, and Judgment Day. In addition to their core beers, Lost Abbey also offers a wide variety of seasonal and limited-release beers, as well as barrel-aged and sour beers.

Coronado Brewing Company

Coronado Brewing Company is a family-owned craft brewery that was founded in 1996 by brothers Ron and Rick Chapman.
The brewery is located in the beach community of Coronado and has several locations throughout San Diego County.
Coronado Brewing Company is known for their West Coast-style IPAs, including their popular Islander IPA and Stingray IPA.
The brewery also offers a wide variety of other beers, as well as a full menu of food at their brewpub locations.

Alpine Beer Company

Founded in 1999, Alpine Beer Company has become a San Diego institution known for its hop-forward West Coast-style IPAs. Their most popular beer is the Alpine Duet IPA, which has won numerous awards for its tropical fruit and pine flavors.
Alpine Beer Company's brewery and taproom in the town of Alpine features an outdoor patio, games, and a full menu of pub grub.

Pure Project Brewing

Pure Project Brewing is a San Diego-based brewery that creates unique and flavorful brews inspired by nature. They focus on using organic ingredients and brewing sustainably.
Pure Project's tasting rooms are designed to reflect their commitment to nature and sustainability, with lots of greenery and natural materials. Their popular beers include Murk of the Beast Hazy IPA, Cloud Farm Hazy IPA, and Modern Times.

Mikkeller Brewing San Diego

Mikkeller Brewing San Diego is the first US-based brewery from the Danish brewing company Mikkeller.
The brewery's tasting room in San Diego's Miramar neighborhood features 21 taps pouring a variety of beers, including their popular San Diego Pale Ale and Beer Geek Brunch.
Mikkeller Brewing San Diego also offers a menu of pub food, including pizzas, sandwiches, and salads.

Belching Beaver Brewery

Belching Beaver Brewery was founded in 2012 and quickly became known for their creative and flavorful brews. Their flagship beer, the Peanut Butter Milk Stout, has become a fan favorite, as have their IPAs, sours, and barrel-aged beers.
Belching Beaver's tasting rooms in North Park, Ocean Beach, and Vista offer a relaxed and casual atmosphere, and their menus feature creative pub fare, including burgers, sandwiches, and loaded fries.

Thorn Brewing Co.

Thorn Brewing Co. is a family-owned brewery with three locations in San Diego County. They offer a wide range of beers, including IPAs, lagers, and sour beers, all brewed in-house.
Their popular beers include the Barrio Lager, Relay IPA, and Tropic Daze Hazy IPA. Thorn Brewing Co.'s tasting rooms feature a laid-back atmosphere with plenty of outdoor seating and food trucks on site.

People Also Ask

What Is The Oldest Brewery In San Diego?

The oldest brewery in San Diego is Karl Strauss Brewing Company, which opened in 1989 and has since become a staple in the craft beer scene in Southern California.

What Is The Best IPA Brewery In San Diego?

San Diego is known for its love of hoppy beers, and there are several great IPA breweries in the area. Some of the most popular ones include Stone Brewing, Modern Times Beer, and Ballast Point Brewing.

What Are Some Of The Best Small Breweries In San Diego?

San Diego has no shortage of small, independent breweries that are worth checking out. Some of the top ones include Pure Project, Societe Brewing Company, and Amplified Ale Works.

What Are Some Of The Best Brewery Tours In San Diego?

Many of the breweries in San Diego offer tours of their facilities, which can be a great way to learn more about the brewing process and sample some of their beers.
Some of the most popular brewery tours in San Diego include those offered by Stone Brewing, Ballast Point Brewing, and Karl Strauss Brewing.

What Is The Best Time To Visit San Diego Breweries?

San Diego is known for its mild climate and sunny weather, making it a great destination for beer lovers year-round.
However, the best time to visit the breweries in San Diego is during the summer months, when many of them have outdoor seating and host events such as beer festivals and food trucks.

Final Thoughts

San Diego is a beer lover's paradise with its diverse and high-quality craft beer scene. With so many best breweries in San Diego to choose from, visitors and locals alike can indulge in the best craft beers that the city has to offer.
Whether you're looking for a classic IPA or a unique sour beer, San Diego's best breweries have got you covered. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the city's thriving beer culture and taste some of the best brews in the country.
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