Where to Drink in San Diego, California

Extraordinary changes in the beer scene since I was last there, but that was more than 20 years ago.

 

On a much smaller scale, I really enjoyed the beer scene about an hour North in Temecula as well.

 

perfect timing for this article... I'll be in San Diego for a week in January. Can't wait!!

 

Don't forget Half Door Brewing on Island Avenue. Great beer in a Victorian house.

 

I second Half Door Brewing. Great place and great beer downtown

 

I've had the chance to visit San Diego 4 times in the past 5 years and the number of breweries is astounding. That Miramar area is crazy with Alesmith, Ballast Point, Mikkeller, Saint Archer, Intergalactic, Rough Draft, 32 North, Duckfoot, Reckless, Align, and 3 or 4 more breweries in a 5 mile stretch. White Labs is there too and has a great thing going where they brew the exact same beer with a dozen or so strains of their yeast so you can taste the difference the yeast makes in each one.

 

The last bit of the article has a toss-off line about going to Tijuana for Mexican lagers but there are a few breweries down there doing some interesting things. Well worth a quick day trip.

 

I can’t believe that an article on where to drink in SD didn’t even mention The Brew Project. 30 taps of beers all brewed in SD county. Add to that good burgers and a nice outdoor space and you have an excellent destination. Located in the Hillcrest area, near the NW corner of Balboa Park.

 

For visitors, the most bang for your SD beer buck does, in fact, come via Beeramar. The area isnt even relegated to just beer either. You also have a couple cider, mead and even craft sake choices in the hood too.

North Park is decent but likely requires some Lyfting, downtown has a few brewpubs like the aforementioned Halfdoor but the the best taplist in the area is definitely at Monkey Paw.

North county is fun but pretty spread out. If you feel like braving it, give Lost Abbey and Toolbox a go and, of course, you might as well hit Stone's flagship brewery in Escondido while youre at it (although Ive long felt as though the Liberty Station location has the better taplist)

 

A fair point and a solid recommendation—thanks for sharing. Any travel guide to a city as large as San Diego is bound to leave out a few deserving spots. Our Destinations articles are meant to be a starting point for visitors, and often concentrate on locations in close proximity to one another.

 

Monkey Paw has closed. Alas!

 

Societe in Clairemont, in northwest San Diego.

 

North Park is one of the best spots to get small breweries and large alike with good beer all around with North Park Brewing being one of the best imo.

 

Better hit Ballast Point before it goes under.

 

If you have the time, don't miss the Stone Beer Garden in Escondido. You don't even have to like their beers (plenty of guest taps). The design of the restaurant and garden is worth the trip.

 

OB is still the best. Awesome surfer community w the most outrageous Asian fusion beer bar on the planet