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Thorn Brewing Company
3176 Thorn St
San Diego, California, 92104-4636
United States
(619) 501-2739 | map
thorn.beer
Formerly Thorn Street Brewery
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by PabloSanDiego:
Reviewed by PabloSanDiego from California
4.56/5 rDev +13.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
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, 2014There 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.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut
4.17/5 rDev +4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
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, 2019Reviewed by mrcraft from California
4.36/5 rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
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, 2017The 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.
Reviewed by mactrail from Washington
3.8/5 rDev -5.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
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, 2013The 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.
Reviewed by bradybeer from California
5/5 rDev +24.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
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, 2013There 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.
Reviewed by robbyc1 from Illinois
4.33/5 rDev +8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
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, 2013Solid 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.
Thorn Brewing Company in San Diego, CA
Brewery rating:
3.79 out of
5 with
359 ratings
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