Thorn Brewing Company

Thorn Brewing CompanyThorn Brewing Company
Thorn Brewing CompanyThorn Brewing Company
Brewery, Bar, Beer-to-go

3176 Thorn St
San Diego, California, 92104-4636
United States

(619) 501-2739 | map
thorn.beer

Formerly Thorn Street Brewery
BEER STATS
Average:
3.79
Beers:
83
Ratings:
359
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.01
Reviews:
6
Ratings:
30
pDev:
12.22%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by PabloSanDiego:
Photo of PabloSanDiego
Reviewed by PabloSanDiego from California

4.56/5  rDev +13.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
Terrific neighborhood place. The front room is basic with a bar and some stools and a couple of tables. Definitely a local's place with a good South Park vibe that feels really welcoming to anyone. I've been there on a Tuesday night when there were just a few people and last night it was pretty packed as the NCAA games (including San Diego State) were on the TVs in the back room.

There were also a few kids earlier on and at least a half dozen well behaved dogs inside, giving it even more of that nice neighborhood feel.

The back room is up a small flight of stairs and is very roomy, with a bunch of tables and two big booths in the back. You have to go downstairs to get your beer from the bar though, no table service, at least the night I was there. The brewery set up is in the same room, and you can watch the brewers at work and they're happy to talk about beer as they work.

There were about 15 or so beers available, including all their regular pours described on here. Most beers are served in pint glasses, while the bigger beers (e.g., The Menace DIPA at 9.7/124) are served in a smaller tulip glass.

Last night the Thai food truck was outside. You order and pay at the truck and they bring your food to your table inside when it's done. The food is OK, not great. I didn't rank the food here because it's not really fair as it's separate from the brewery and the trucks come and go.

Highly recommended for a visit, as it represents the best of a small neighborhood brewery with super friendly staff, welcoming atmosphere, and really good brews.
Mar 21, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of WillieThreebiers
Reviewed by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut

4.17/5  rDev +4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Quaint little neighborhood store front brewery in South Park. Tasting room has a small straight bar in the back opposite the entry that seats about 8 or 10 with a few tables and some counter seating about the room. 15 well assorted beers on tap, I had the Father Larry, Service Swine, and the Hopster Pot, all were very nice. Friendly, knowledgeable bartender. There was a food truck , but I did not have anything. Very laid back atmosphere; a great place to have a few.
Dec 21, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by chrisjws from California

Apr 28, 2019
 
Rated: 4.14 by Kurzman from Rhode Island

Dec 12, 2017
Photo of mrcraft
Reviewed by mrcraft from California

4.36/5  rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Thorn Street Brewery is a very nice neighborhood craft brewery with a fairly small but rustic and quaint tasting room. I was informed they were the first brewery in the neighborhood. It's a laid back, friendly place. The bar and taps are located in the back, with tables and seating around. They had a food truck serving food, and I believe there is some other eatery right next door through a connecting door.

The two bartenders were friendly and knowledgeable. The beers were good. I had a great time visiting Thorn Street. I look forward to my next visit.
Aug 17, 2017
 
Rated: 4.36 by Brown120 from Pennsylvania

Feb 23, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by Gobzilla from California

Sep 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4.24 by sd123 from Georgia

Jul 09, 2015
 
Rated: 4.53 by RLM15 from California

Jun 27, 2015
 
Rated: 4.24 by jaydoc from Kansas

May 18, 2015
 
 
Rated: 3.86 by wulfie85 from California

Feb 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.43 by IBUQT from Oregon

Jan 04, 2015
 
Rated: 3.84 by grilledsquid from California

Dec 21, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by HopHead84 from California

Nov 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by anteater from Oregon

Oct 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by DVMin98 from North Carolina

Oct 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3.95 by Bung from Michigan

Oct 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by SDRedDevil from California

Sep 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by funkel81 from Colorado

Jul 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by BreweryRun from California

Jul 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Deaner1308 from California

May 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Jpohling from California

Mar 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by jedschlueter from California

Feb 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by trubeernick from California

Feb 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Paige from California

Oct 14, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by NickMunford from Wyoming

Oct 08, 2013
Photo of mactrail
Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

3.8/5  rDev -5.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Another brewing surprise I hadn't hear of. They have 12 to 16 taps at a time. It looks like a small system but they have plenty of room. Beers run the gamut of styles, and included a Hefe, Saison, Belgian Blond, Pale ale, Session IPA, medium IPA, and DIPA. Plus two stouts and a chile beer. Food truck the width of the sidewalk from the front door on a Saturday night.

The front room is small and basic with a bar and a few tables. Concrete floors, low ceiling, and noisy. An unmarked doorway by the restrooms leads to the big and spacious back room with another bar, the brewing setup, and big windows open to the air. They call it the back patio.

Everyone is very friendly, it seems to be a real neighborhood place. There were two big groups celebrating, and then the beer bike rolled up with a full load of thirsty peddlers. The two bartenders were on the verge of harried, but were very pleasant. Lighter beers come in short pint shakers and strong ones in tulips. They sell fancy growlers but the fills are reasonable.
Jul 21, 2013
Photo of bradybeer
Reviewed by bradybeer from California

5/5  rDev +24.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Locate in a neighborhood (North Park). Park on the street and make your way to the bar located in opposite the front door.

There is seating at the bar, in front of the bar, and in another room. There must have been 12 beers on tap and we tried the Hefe, session IPA, Red Ale, Stout, Belgian Strong, Brown Ale, Saison, Barley Wine, and a pale ale. All wet off the hook good and were something to return for. At the time we were there they could only serve sample sizes but were expecting their license for pint sales to come through any day.

The service was outstanding our bar keeps were knowledgeable, friendly, and were fun to talk to.

Love this place and I hope they go far.
Jun 19, 2013
Photo of robbyc1
Reviewed by robbyc1 from Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Nice spacious storefront with brewing done in the back.

Solid lineup of 8 beers, one kicked while we were there. You can taste all 8 in 4 oz tasters, and they replaced the kicked IPA with a Saison, the only one not spot on. Other trys were solid from the belgians to hoppies, to stouts. Layed back feel, even some kids in there. No food but bombers for sale. Overall a great addition to the San Diego scene.
May 03, 2013
Thorn Brewing Company in San Diego, CA
Brewery rating: 3.79 out of 5 with 359 ratings