San Diego Beer (2026)

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by chrisjws, Jan 6, 2026.

  1. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,462) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I was trying to remember your name to tag you cuz i knew you'd be more help than i.
    Juat checked out the site and looks like that is the only place he'll need. One hell of a taplist
    :beers:
     
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  2. deleted_user_1379257

    deleted_user_1379257 Pundit (865) Feb 17, 2026
    Society

    Deft Brewing sounds great right now! Hopefully their tap list is about the same in October. :beers:

    The other places sound really good, too.

    Thanks for the tips!
     
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  3. chrisjws

    chrisjws Grand Pooh-Bah (3,302) Dec 3, 2014 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    +1 on Deft, that’s pretty close and perfect for most beer drinkers who don’t want IPAs

    North Park tends to be IPA heavy but they make other good stuff as well and they have their pizza shop right near you

    Pizza Port never distros non-IPAs but OB always has a bunch of euro inspired styles and random oddities onsite
     
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  4. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,462) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Pizza Port is an actual goldmine sometimes for brewery only things.
     
  5. chrisjws

    chrisjws Grand Pooh-Bah (3,302) Dec 3, 2014 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah just looking at the last few times I went, among other things they had tmave, cream ale, kuyt, kolsch and helles on. They also make some pretty clean pilsners.
     
  6. radshoesbro

    radshoesbro Pundit (987) Dec 16, 2004 California

    There's good beer absolutely everywhere and it's become so ubiquitous people forget just how easy it is to find quality beer. This is a wild take.
     
  7. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,786) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hey all,

    circling back to share how I did with my SD trip and beering. Didnt hit everything recommended and some of the days got shifted around from original plans.
    We went brewery hopping on Thursday and started around 1230 after pick up of a friend at airport. Tried to go to Deft, but they were not open, unfortunately, was hoping to check out the meadery as well.
    But my local friend took us to HomeBrew Mart, just up the road. Interesting spot with some definitely baked dudes watching scuba videos. Tried the helles and the quad while we were there. Helles was pretty solid, the Quad, seemed more like a Belgian Dark Ale on flavor profile, but it was also tasty.
    Next we hit up Barley and Sword, which was great, had the Neustadt Kolsch and sampled the ESB as well. It was 90 degrees so they werent running a cask... :slight_frown: . We did load up on cans to bring home here. Could have spent more time here, but we were also trying to watch basketball and no TVs running there.
    Easy walk next door to Seek , which was a little disappointing for selection, with like 5 IPAs, a few fruited sours, some seltzers and two pilsners. Went with the Pils and watched the end of the Michigan State basketball game. a few more canss purchased here.
    Next we hit Pure Project, which Ive been to before and really ennjoyed, I went all in with Hazelsaurus Rex Imperial Stout and we ate some empanadas here as well. A few bottles to take home also.
    My buddies went to KooBrew next door while I finished my imperial stout.
    Finally, quick stroll to Duck Foot in the same area. Had a coffee imperial stout here and watch some basketball.
    On way home hit up a taco spot "Taco Taco" and had some more house beers.
    Didnt make it out on Saturday so missed the dark beer tap list at North Park Beer co, sorry @kmcnair , it sounded awesome but couldnt get out on Saturday and Friday we were at Viejas for games all day. Saturday was some drinking at the house and watching games.
    Overall a fun and beery visit to SD. Thank you all for the tips and ideas that y'all posted here!
     
  8. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,462) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    How dare you not hit alesmith.
     
  9. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,786) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    lo siento mi amigo!
     
  10. SDReaper

    SDReaper Pooh-Bah (2,174) Aug 15, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Right? That close and with both Islander Joy speeday and BA rye viet speedway on draft......
     
  11. Drunken_Master

    Drunken_Master Crusader (444) Mar 6, 2014 California

    2-3 spots and nearby others overlooked. Sigh... i would have skipped Duckfoot, koobrew is ok still not well established though their main dood is. I suppose it is what is and you make with what you've been given. I suppose in this case, no time.
     
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  12. Drunken_Master

    Drunken_Master Crusader (444) Mar 6, 2014 California

    I'd suggest one but might be frowned upon and others might think wtf? when really you're dealing with a true og that's still going strong: Karl Strauss. also: stick to tap room/deft as you're unfortunately shit out of luck on the spot you're at BUT fear not as you did say

    "We’ll spend lots of time walking and a bit of time driving" so then go to north park and miramar area and also try harland.
     
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  13. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,462) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Karl Strauss is atill SOLID
    the one in DTLA has OG Amber and Wreck Alley on tap . what more do you want?
     
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  14. chrisjws

    chrisjws Grand Pooh-Bah (3,302) Dec 3, 2014 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Nothing wrong with Strauss at all and their food game is solid.
     
  15. pixiesfanyo

    pixiesfanyo Crusader (495) Oct 25, 2010 California

    Sad to hear Stone Escondido is up in the air. Never was a fan of the food, and Stone could be hit or miss, but was a beautiful facility.
     
  16. Jesseix

    Jesseix Pundit (913) Mar 18, 2022 California

    I saw something about Pizza Port in OB being temporarily shut down for failing a health inspection. Sounds like there were vermin issues, hopefully they get it figured out sooner than later.
     
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  17. deleted_user_1379257

    deleted_user_1379257 Pundit (865) Feb 17, 2026
    Society

    It should be easy to catch drunk vermin... :beers:
     
  18. Jesseix

    Jesseix Pundit (913) Mar 18, 2022 California

    I dunno, I hear hazies make them multiply like gremlins! :sunglasses:
     
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  19. pixiesfanyo

    pixiesfanyo Crusader (495) Oct 25, 2010 California

    California changed health code laws recently so a bunch of places are being hit with this.
     
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  20. chrisjws

    chrisjws Grand Pooh-Bah (3,302) Dec 3, 2014 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm disappointed to see Stone Escondido go, but I'm glad that Liberty Station will live on. Between all the other shopping/eats and fun nearby and the beautiful spot that's been my favorite by far of the two.

    Saturday mornings when I'm full on in marathon training I do my long run starting by Stone and end there. It's a great spot to run out along the waterfront and back from.