San Diego Breweries to visit?

Smaller ones, I unfortunately don't know too much about, but Port/Lost Abby is always good and I really, really, liked AleSmith!

But I guess the short answer is all of them!

Enjoy your trip!

 

make sure you have fish tacos and mexican food those all sound good besides modern times check out alesmith instead?

 

Some ideas

 

I would definitely say go to AleSmith. They are amazing, and very underrated. Green Flash and Ballast Point are basically across the street from each other, and AleSmith is only 3 miles or so away from them. Mike Hess Brewing is in that area too. That would make for concentrated stop.

 

My fav not on your list was AleSmith. A must IMO.

 

Just returned from SD. Had a blast. Would recommend Rough Draft, Mission, and Point Archer. That is in addition to Alpine which is well worth the drive south. Plan to spend some time at Alpine. They just launched Keene Idea this week and can also mis with Bad Boy for an interesting, but solid brew called Bad Idea. Enjoy!

 

Sorry. Damn phone. Meant Saint Archer.

 

1. Ballast Point
2. Stone
3. Karl Strauss--the only one I had their Red Trolley Ale Off The Rails was/is the best red I've ever had.

 

I went to all of those on my SD trip (except Societe because I found The Pupil at a bar). I would skip Green Flash because you can get almost every one of their beers nationwide. Definitely recommend Port/Lost Abbey, mainly because you can get $1 samples and since their bottles are all pretty expensive, that's an amazing deal. I'd recommend literally every other place you mentioned. They were all excellent.

I know you're visiting SD, but it's also totally worth it to take the 2 hour drive up to The Bruery. That was my favorite of the trip.

 

Great suggestions above. I'd u have time --Go to Ocean Beach (OB) and hit the pizza port location there as well as OB noodle house for awesome fusion food and killer tap list. If u are still hungry - get a buger at hodads. Super layed back surfer vibe in OB. Love that place.

 

No arguments on any of the suggestions above but would point out that going out to Alpine from San Diego proper (or more so, anywhere north of there) is a haul. Can't give enough thumbs up on going to Mike Hess Brewing, which reminded me -- in all the best ways -- of Rapp Brewing here.

 

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/visiting-san-diego-winter-2015.243609/

 

Lomaland...

 

Only if you aren't used to driving at all. People that live where there is a real commute laugh when they do that drive and hear people complain about how long it is:

https://goo.gl/maps/DPTPU

Granted, the Alpine regulars will tell you it is a long drive, but it is because they don't want you to come. I'm surprised that so many visitors buy that, though. LOL

 

I don't see Council mentioned here. If your going to stop at Societe, Council Brewery is just around the corner from Societe. 5 minutes or less. My last visit to Societe I did a quick drive by to Council. Worth a stop. Next visit I will stay longer.
Funny on the SD/Alpine regulars who tell you the drive to Alpine is too long. Hell, I make the 2 hour drive 4 times a year from the OC. Worth it. Guess they don't have the extra gas $'s to spend. More for the rest of us. But I guess they can now get the subpar Alpine stuff at Green Flash. But if you want the Alpine experience then you must go to Alpine. Especially before it all changes. Unless they can dial in the recipes at GF.

 

You entirely missed my joke, dc. These regulars are people that drive up there multiple times a week. They are telling tourists it is a long drive in an attempt to keep the crowds down. LOL

The problem most people have with Alpine is they try to combine it in a one-day beer tour that also takes them from downtown up to the 78 corridor (which is actually a longer drive from downtown than Alpine). I'm sure if you devised a tour that took you to most corners of any city in the US, it will be a lot of driving. A quick look at a map will pretty much indicate the best way to do things in San Diego in 1, 2, 3 days, etc.

 

Toolbox is doing good stuff in Vista too. Not far from Lost Abbey/Port, Rip Current & Churchill's Pub.

 

Alesmith is honestly killing it.

Green Flash is a skip, Mission is a skip, Karl Strauss is a skip.

One that has not been mentioned here (and I find it odd) is Belching Beaver. Depending on where you end up, they have a small taproom down in North Park along 30th street, where you can also get Rip Current, Toolbox, visit Toronado, etc...

But if you are looking for "small" operations and you are spending time around Ballast and Alesmith, then 32North and Intergalatic. Just be warned that it will be tough to leave "Beeramar" and hit up other places, especially if you are drinking at 5-7 breweries around here. Same for the breweries off the 78 (i.e. Lost Abbey, Rip Current, Toolbox, Aztec, Indian Joes(although I think they are closed atm), Belching Beaver, Mother Earth, the list goes on).

Just check Xul's guide that he linked and come back with a bit more detailed information on your visit, dates, location you will be staying, if have access to a car, etc..etc... and I am certain we can help you better with any other questions. Cheers and have a good time.

 

just woke up when i read it. got it. lol.