24 Local Picks for the Best Breweries in San Diego

You have a lot of options when it comes to taste-testing the best breweries in San Diego, California. America’s Finest City is home to more breweries than you can shake a stick at, and I mean that pretty literally.

We lived there for seven years and drank a lot of beer. Some of them specialize in the hoppy. Some, to the delight of my Polish taste buds that love all things pickled, dive into the sours.

What I’d like to focus on here isn’t the best beer in San Diego. I think IPAs are kinda skunky and as such I shouldn’t be giving that kind of advice. I couldn’t tell you why a hazy IPA is so hazy, or other important beer facts for people in the know.

I’m talking about San Diego breweries that will either make you feel lucky to live in America’s finest city or, if you’re visiting, make you jealous that you don’t. 

These are places with ambiance and variety that boast an all-around excellent experience to make your beer drinking that much more enjoyable.

They’re our personal favorites, honestly, for reasons that go beyond the beer. (The beer at all of these is great too, though. I’m no fool.)

What is the best craft beer brewery in San Diego?

Defining the best brewery in San Diego depends on what you’re looking for in that brewery.

AleSmith Brewing Company is considered the best of the best by many craft beer drinkers in San Diego. The most popular brewery in San Diego is likely Stone Brewing if we’re going by name recognition alone.

It’s all so subjective and depends on things like your tastes, where you are in the city, and even whether you’re ticking off San Diego bucket list breweries.

From there, shake that stick and see where it gets you because it’s likely a brewery in San Diego.

San Diego’s Most Popular Beer Styles

San Diego is known for IPAs, but you’ll find a variety of beer styles in breweries across the city. Some breweries may specialize in barrel-aged pours or sours. Tastes at others may run a little sweeter.

No matter what you’re into, you’ll find it in San Diego.

Note: I’ll be honest. IPAs are not my thing. They’re pretty intense, bitter, even a little skunky for some palates. (I’m talking about myself here.) It has a lot of fans, though, with some even calling double IPAs the “San Diego Pale Ale.” Brian likes ’em. To each his/her own.

Let’s get started with my personal favorites for the best brewery in San Diego.

Is this subjective? Absolutely. Aren’t these lists ALWAYS subjective? I’ll follow that up with breweries that are also great, especially if you’re here to linger or set yourself up for a San Diego brewery crawl.

1. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens (Escondido)

Address: 1999 Citracado Parkway, Escondido, CA
What to Order: Go classic with their IPA or have some fun with a Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager or Tangerine Express Hazy IPA. Be sure to check out the current collabs, as well.

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido is called “The Mothership” for a reason. The beers are good, the food’s high-quality, and the ambiance is even better.

After tossing back a few, you can hide in the foliage like jaguars, which is very cool, and have a laugh with your pals as if you’re at a beer festival of your own making.

Note: It gets busy on weekends, but reservations are available on OpenTable. Be the hero and make a reservation ahead of your group’s arrival so that you’re not all awkwardly glaring at each other as the hanger sets in.

While the Escondido location isn’t the only Stone brewery in San Diego — there are taprooms downtown and in Liberty Station — it’s the best one. It’s an easy San Diego day trip, too, if you’re looking for ideas.

2. Pizza Port Brewing Company (Ocean Beach)

Address: 1956 Bacon St., San Diego, CA
What to Order: Taste-test their Chronic Amber Ale, Swami’s IPA, or Bacon & Eggs Porter if in season.

Pizza. Beer. A classic combination like Simon and Garfunkel, but better. (Controversial!) 

There are a few locations now, but I’m talking about the Pizza Port Brewing Company in Ocean Beach. After you’ve over-indulged in all things hoppy and fried, you can go have yourself a stroll on the beach.

Just make sure you’re wearing at least flip-flops, because it’s OB, and you don’t want to step in something weird.

This part of town keeps it weird, which is cool, but that also comes with some consequences.

3. AleSmith Brewing Company (Miramar)

Address: 9990 AleSmith Ct., San Diego, CA
What to Order: Many locals consider their IPA the best (sorry Stone). Their Speedway Stout is also typically served in a few different ways. Don’t leave without trying their .394 Pale Ale, dedicated to Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.

AleSmith Brewing Company is Brian’s favorite, but it’s also just got a great vibe. Its warehouse is spacious and lacks pretension, despite all kinds of accolades to its name.

Perhaps most importantly, the owner is also a cheesemaker, doing so as part of his thriving off-shoot CheeseSmith.

Fun fact: If you follow them on social media, they tell you when they’ve got fresh Midwestern-style cheese curds. If you’re a living and breathing human, you know how special that is.

They also host various events featuring beer and cheese pairings, which sounds like a great time. 

4. Thorn Brewing Co. (North Park)

Address:  3176 Thorn St., San Diego, CA
What to Order: Try the Barrio Lager, Relay IPA, and their Craft Michelada to get to know what they’re about here.

Thorn Brewing Co. has opened up two more sites, including one in Barrio Logan, since we first stepped foot into their original one on Thorn Street.

The OG is still our favorite, and a must-stop when it comes to the North Park beer scene.

The Thorn brewery in San Diego is super dog friendly, even when your dog is a skittish gal like ours, and next door to a more than decent BBQ option, Grand Ole BBQ y Asado. Brian gave it a B+ rating on his very scientific BBQ scale, and that’s Top Chef-level praise.

5. Belching Beaver (North Park)

Address: 4223 30th St., San Diego, CA
What to Order: Their Must Be the Honey! Blonde, Peanut Butter Milk Stout, and the Phantom Bride IPA are our favorites.

First of all, the name of this brewery, Belching Beaver, is hilarious. Your houseguests will be all, “I picture that in my head and it just makes me smile!”

The Belching Beaver North Park location also has that San Diego postcard pic on the outside that’ll really jazz up your otherwise basic Instagram.

It’s one of the best breweries in North Park, a neighborhood with loads of variety.

6. Green Flash Brewing Co. (Mira Mesa)

Address:  6550 Mira Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA
What to Order: Brian has been on a boycott of Green Flash since they got rid of Hop Head Red, but if you aren’t the grudge-bearing type, they have several IPA varieties for you to try.

It just feels fun at Green Flash Brewing Co. They have a huge tasting room and beer garden that’s optimal for the more than 250 days of sunshine you get in San Diego. They also have their own food truck outside for when you need to nosh.

This is one of those San Diego breweries that has endured some growing pains over the years due to over-extending themselves in the craft beer scene.

There’s been some re-branding since under new leadership, but it remains as it always has: a good time. Check it out on a sunny day to make the best use of their outdoor spaces.

READ MORE: Love the sound of these vibes? Read my guide to the best of Pacific Beach.

7. The Lost Abbey (San Marcos)

Address: 155 Mata Way, Suite 104, San Marcos, CA
What to Order: As the name would suggest, try your favorite Belgian variety already. Lost and Found is one of the more popular pours.

The brewmaster behind The Lost Abbey learned his stuff at Pizza Port, so you know this has to be good. You’ll find all kinds of unique pours here, most inspired by the Belgian style.

You’ll need to head to San Marcos for the original location, so make sure there’s a designated driver in your plans.

8. Viewpoint Brewing Company (Del Mar)

Address:  2201 San Dieguito Dr., Del Mar, CA 
What to Order: Go with a flight here to try multiple varieties while you take in the view.

Viewpoint Brewing Company boasts a large outdoor space with views all around the San Dieguito Lagoon. In fact, treating yourself to a lagoon stroll after you’ve had some tasters is highly recommended.

Just keep on the path so you’re not accidentally poked by any cacti.

Parking’s a bit tricky here. They will valet in their lot for a couple of bucks, but you can also drive just past the brewery and park at the little vista point. The little vista is also recommended. Counting the waterfowl is a good sobriety test.

9. Mike Hess Brewing (North Park)

Address:  3812 Grim Ave., San Diego, CA
What to Order: Mike Hess makes a tasty IPA, but don’t sleep on their lighter options of blondes, sours, and ambers.

Mike Hess started in North Park, but for a Southern California experience, get your booty down to their Imperial Beach location. You can take a beachside stroll afterward and get your feet wet.

If that’s too big an ask, their North Park site is still great. In fact, it was one of the first breweries we went to EVER after moving to San Diego. Ah, memories.

10. Kairoa Brewing Company (University Heights)

Address:  4601 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA
What to Order: Brian loved that they had a Hoppy Red option, but Kairoa has plenty of lighter blondes available if you’re not that hopped up on the hoppy.

While they didn’t have the Impossible Burger I was craving when I was there due to a nationwide shortage of said burger, the view onto University Heights from above at Kairoa Brewing Company’s rooftop is almost as delicious.

It’s owned and operated by natives of New Zealand, meaning you don’t need to leave San Diego to experience those Middle-earth vibes.

The food is scrumptious, too. Try the fried shrimp butties, because they’re yummy and the name’s adorable.

11. North Park Beer Company (North Park)

Address:  3038 University Ave., San Diego, CA
What to Order: They’re known for their Hop-Fu!, a double dry-hopped IPA that comes in different iterations throughout the year. Just pick your favorite clever name and enjoy.

North Park Beer Company is a great place to meet friends. Their North Park flagship location place is huge.

I’m not exaggerating here. The warehouse is 9,000 square feet, making it easy to social distance whether you’re living through a pandemic or just hate people.

Hanging around downtown San Diego? They have a Bankers Hill location, too.

You already know I’m a big baby when it comes to IPAs, but don’t let that stop you. Their big-deal beers are of the hoppier variety, like Mr. Hoppy. His name lives up to the hop.

12. Modern Times Beer (North Park)

Address:  3000 Upas St., San Diego, CA
What to Order: Let’s face it. Any of their year-round beers are worth a pour. Embrace this brand’s love of coffee with their Black House Coffee Stout if decisions are hard.

Modern Times’ North Park location featured above is nicknamed “The Flavordome,” which apparently is a nod to the tasty things they brew there.

Upside-down lampshades hang from the ceiling, which you tend to forget the hazard of after a few of their beers.

The Point Loma brewery, nicknamed the “The Lomaland Fermentorium,” certainly isn’t lacking in flavor with its interior, either. Bubbles the chimpanzee and his handler (we won’t name names here because of the scandals) get top billing with a floor-to-wall Post-it mural.

What? You know you’re curious now. Go check ’em both out for yourself.

13. Alpine Beer Company (Alpine)

Address: 1347 Tavern Road, Alpine, CA
What to Order: They’re big on the IPAs here, so if you’re in the mood for something hoppy, ask for a pour of their Duet West Coast-style IPA or the hazy Nelson.

The Alpine Beer Company Outpost is a haul from San Diego, but you’ll be rewarded if you make it out to Alpine and the Cuyamaca Mountains.

This place has won all kinds of accolades from big-deal beer entities like Beer Advocate and the Great American Beer Festival, a favorite hangout of mine.

You’re going to get a high-quality experience here is what I’m saying.

READ MORE: Care to linger in the mountains? Julian’s my top pick for the best apple pie in Southern California.

14. Fall Brewing Company (North Park)

Address: 4542 30th St., San Diego, CA
What to Order: Plenty for All, Jazz Hands, and 2AM Bike Ride are some of our favorites.

Fall Brewing Company is the brewery that we spent the most time at thanks to its proximity to our old house in San Diego. They always have a sour or two on tap for me to sip on.

If you have a similar palate, start with the Jazz Hands I already recommended or variants thereof.

They don’t lack in the ambiance department, either. You’ll find a resident Humpty Dumpty perched on top of one of the bars most days. He gets decked out for the various holidays, too.

15. Eppig Brewing (Point Loma)

Address: 2817 Dickens St., San Diego, CA
What to Order: 10:45 to Denver is their flagship IPA, but they typically have several excellent options for pilsners, lagers, and sours on tap.

Eppig’s focus is on European-style beers, so you’ll get to sip on all the lagers and pilsners to your heart’s content.

The brewery vibes are Euro, too. The address above is for their waterfront Point Loma location, a biergarten that’s perfect for San Diego’s sunny skies. Head up to Vista if you want to hit their bierhalle.

16. Ballast Point Brewing (Little Italy)

Address: 2215 India St, San Diego, CA
What to Order: Try as many brews as you can here, as they typically have an extensive list, but start with their flagship Sculpin IPA.

Ballast Point Brewing is iconic when it comes to the San Diego beer scene. Their IPA is considered among the best in the country. Go for the grapefruit variety if you’re feeling spunky.

There are three locations to choose from but head to Little Italy for the ambiance and weekly burger specials.

17. Border X Brewing (Barrio Logan)

Address: 2181 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 
What to Order: Give their Blood Saison, Gran Jefe, and various stouts a sip or three.

Border X Brewing has quickly become one of the most exciting San Diego tasting rooms, if only for their Horchata Golden Stout.

The brewery has played a big part in bringing in both locals and visitors to Barrio Logan to taste their delicious spins on Mexican craft beer. Bienvenidos, Abuelita’s Chocolate Stout.

18. Bay City Brewing Co. (Point Loma)

Address: 3760 Hancock St., San Diego, CA
What to Order: Start light with their Organically Blonde, but any of the regulars are worth trying.

Bay City Brewing Co. is all about easy-drinking beers in an easy-drinking atmosphere. They’ve been loving the hazy styles lately, but if that’s not what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with the blondes or a classic Fiesta Island Pils.

There’s a downtown San Diego location for this one, too, but head to Point Loma for a bigger space and rotating food trucks.

19. Pure Project (Miramar)

Address: 9030 Kenamar Dr., #308, San Diego, CA
What to Order: Their beers are constantly changing as things get experimental around here. Go the taster route based on the season.

Pure Project has taken the city’s emphasis on sustainability and green business and applied those concepts to delicious beer. Their flavors are often a little bit tropical, a nod to the brewers’ time spent in Costa Rica before setting up shop in San Diego.

Head to Miramar for a cozy experience. Additional locations include North Park, Vista, Carlsbad, and Balboa Park.

20. Bivouac Ciderworks (North Park)

Address: 3986 30th St., San Diego, CA
What to Order: You’re gonna want some cider, obvi. It’s the drier the better for me.

It’s not technically a brewery, but if you’re seeking the best cider brewery in San Diego, head to Bivouac Ciderworks. (What? This is my blog and I do what I want.)

I’ll say the food is just OK for the price point, but the ciders are divine. They specialize in dry, English-style ciders, which is exactly what I’m after rather than the super sweet stuff.

21. Societe Brewing Company (Kearny Mesa)

Address: 8262 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA
What to Order: You can’t go wrong with regulars like The Pupil and The Harlot, but their Coachman session IPA is an award-winner.

Societe Brewing Company quickly rose to big-deal status in the San Diego craft beer scene. A big outdoor space and a big indoor space mean this one’s pretty ideal for big groups, especially if your group likes tacos. (They partner with Chacho’s Tacos, a yummy San Diego food truck.)

The Kearny Mesa brewery is known for its IPAs, like the beer circuit favorite I mentioned above.

22. Gravity Heights (Sorrento Valley)

Address: 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd., San Diego, CA
What to Order: I like going light here to match their SoCal food menu. Their Rice Cold Lager or Smoke Wheat Every Day are deliciously crisp.

I have to admit it was the food at this place that caught my eye first. Gravity Heights has an excellent menu of munchies — that’s their lingo, not mine — like meatballs, tuna tostadas, and the always welcome Demi More Burger.

She’s topped with gruyere and garlic cream sauce if you must know.

That’s not to say they don’t have a great beer program. As their space is pretty vibey, I like going crisp with my pours at this one. Fans of more hop will have options for that here, too.

23. Mujeres Brew House (Barrio Logan)

Address: 1983 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA
What to Order: Try their Mujeres La Jefa to taste why this place is boss.

I love a good woman-owned establishment, and Mujeres Brew House in Barrio Logan is run solely by badass independent women. That’s a big deal in an industry that’s overwhelmingly male, from its brewers to its bartenders.

Expect an enthusiastic staff here that knows their stuff and frequent taco trucks posted outside. Tacos are always welcome.

24. Fathom Bistro, Bait & Tackle (Shelter Island)

Address: 1776 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, CA
What to Order: They have a larger selection of Russian River beers on tap than any other brewery in San Diego, but they always have an excellent rotation to choose from if pretentious beer is not your thing. (I kid, Russian River.)

This one isn’t a brewery, but it needs an honorable mention on any San Diego brewery list. Without fail, we would take everyone who’d visit us in San Diego to Fathom Bistro, Bait & Tackle as our local contribution to their lives.

It’s a small taproom on Shelter Island with limited seating but tasty food options, including house-made sausages.

Fun fact: You can also catch your own grub off of the dock with bait and tackle for sale on site.

In addition to location — sometimes you can view sea lions there, which is adorable — the owners seem like good people.

For starters, they host an annual fundraiser for Planned Parenthood where they serve up all-you-can-eat tacos and pour the hard-to-come-by Pliny the Younger from Russian River Brewing Company.

Thanks to the owner’s connections, they often have Pliny the Elder on tap, too. This is apparently a big deal for beer people. Follow them on Facebook for regularly updated tap lists, including when they’re pouring the Pliny.

More San Diego Breweries

I told you San Diego had a lot of craft beer. Choosing the top breweries in San Diego even in the most subjective way is a tough thing. If you feel like you’re missing out on something with a limited list, you probably are.

Here are more San Diego breweries you should check out, including some of the more popular ones that didn’t make my favorites for whatever reason:

• Burgeon Beer Company: This one has three different locations to choose from, but you’ll want to head to Carlsbad for the original and, in my opinion, the best location. Try their Invita Mexican lager or their Prawn Burgundy.
• Coronado Brewing Company: This one is an excellent way to finish a day on the Coronado peninsula. Peruse the tchotchke shops at the Hotel del Coronado and follow that up with their Salty Crew, a classic blonde ale.
• Karl Strauss Brewing Company: Karl Strauss is the city’s oldest brewery. Red ales, fruited IPAs, and imperial stouts are all represented here. The location with the easiest access to central San Diego is downtown.
• Novo Brazil Brewing: I have to give Chula Vista some love somewhere on this list. This one was a favorite with my in-laws, as they lived in Chula. If that doesn’t intrigue you, they have a brewpub in National City with the same food menu.
• White Labs Brewing Co.: The brewers here are all about experimenting with fermentation. If this one sounds familiar and you’ve visited North Carolina, that’s because they have another location in Asheville, another beer paradise.

Best Brewery Tours in San Diego

Since we were San Diego locals for a while, we were usually exploring the city’s best breweries in a self-guided fashion vs. booking San Diego brewery tours.

That means you need a designated driver to come along for your fun unless you’re lucky enough to be able to walk to and from your chosen San Diego brewery.

If you’re looking for the best beer tours in San Diego, I’ve got you.

Here are a few highly-rated options that are sure to offer you and yours an excellent time:

San Diego Beer FAQs

San Diego is a beer city.

San Diego doesn’t just have good beer. It has some of the best beer in the country. Craft beers in San Diego have become an art form and something bucket lists are made of, and the only way to get to know the scene is to start quenching your thirst.

These may have been a list of mine, but there are so many more that we’ve yet to try on return trips to San Diego. I’ll get there. I’ll keep you posted.

Planning San Diego travel? Check out these posts:

• A Complete Guide to the San Diego Sushi Scene
• The Best Waterfalls in San Diego County & Beyond
• How to Visit Temecula From San Diego
• Things to Do in Old Town San Diego
• Lovely La Jolla: A Detailed Guide

Here’s more on my favorite San Diego spots:

• Feel the Spirits at the Whaley House
• Treat Your Dog to San Diego’s Best Beaches
• A Complete Guide to South Park, San Diego
• You’re Going to Want to Try Goat Yoga
• Things to Do in San Diego’s Golden Hill