San Diego may be most well known for its fair weather, golf, and beaches, but it’s also one of the best cities in the world for craft beer.
I moved here from Seattle and was happy to continue to be surrounded by incredible beer. The craft beer scene in SD is dense, creative, and celebrated by locals.
If you’re in San Diego for a weekend of if you’ve lived here for years, these are the breweries to visit.
10 Best Breweries in San Diego
1. AleSmith Brewing Company
AleSmith is a local institution, and there’s plenty of reasons to try their beer. The main location for AleSmith (aptly located on AleSmith Court) is a must-visit for anyone brewery hopping in Miramar. The .394 Pale Ale (regular and hazy variety) is one of the best go-to beers in the city, and they serve micheladas, which is a bonus. Out-of-towners might know AleSmish best for the Speedway Stout which regularly gets a barrel-aged treatment. They also make the official beer of SDSU, the San Diego State Ale. Everything on the menu is great, and you can find their beer all over the city.
2. Pure Project
Pure Project is the kind of brewery that makes you want to become a regular. Aside from the sustainability practices, community efforts, and giving back through donations (all very cool), Pure Project consistently brews great beer. From clean farmhouse brews to the Pub Ale, there’s plenty to choose from for all types of beer fans. It’s worth noting that Pure Project specializes in unfiltered beers, so don’t be surprised to see a little bit of cloudiness in most of what they produce. I prefer the Miramar location, but there’s a great spot next to Balboa Park if you’re planning a day at the zoo or museums.
3. Ballast Point Brewing Company
One of the most recognizable SD beer brands, Ballast Point is an absolute slugger. The Sculpin IPA is one of the best examples of a West Coast IPA you’ll find, along with all the other variants they produce, from hazy to grapefruit. If you want the full San Diego experience, I recommend getting the Swingin’ Friar Ale, the offical beer of the San Diego Padres. Their spot in Little Italy is a lot of fun and close to other great bars and restaurants.
4. North Park Beer Company
When you do something right, keep doing it. That has to be the mantra at North Park Beer Company since they routinely brew award-winning West Coast IPAs. The Hop Fu! IPA is the go-to options for IPA lovers, but ask the bartender what other awesome creations they have on tap. If you are a big fan of IPAs, this should be the first stop on your list.
5. Societe Brewing
I probably rank Societie Brewing higher than other locals, but every time I’ve visited one of their spots, I’ve had a great time. I’m partial to their Old Town location, which is just far enough way from the tourist area to not be overrun, but close enough for a quick walk over if you’re seeing the sights. The Pupil IPA is widely available across the city and is hands-down their best beer.
6. Fall Brewing Company
Another local brewery with a few locations, Fall Brewing is easy to love. Their Plenty for All Pilsner is always my go-to beer, which is the perfect change of pace from some of the IPA-heavy breweries on this list. Their Miramar location is the main spot, and it’s a quick drive from some of the other breweries on this list. It’s defenitely worth stopping by if you want a crisp lager over a hoppy IPA.
7. Coronado Brewing Company
Technically Coronado Brewing Company is in Coronada, not San Diego, but it’s in the county and their beer is fantastic! Coronado Brewing is well known in San Diego, and their Salty Crew Blonde Ale encapsulates everything that’s great about the beach, boats, and sunshine; truly it’s the perfect summertime beer. You can find Coronado’s brews all over the city, but a quick stop over to their taproom in Coronado will also come with some of the best views of San Diego!
8. Modern Times Beer
Modern Times is one of those brands that I always saw at the grocery store, but took way too long to realize it’s a San Diego staple. Their Mosaic IPA is one of my favorites to pick up at the store, and I always make a point to stop by their taproom in Encinitas when I’m in the area. If you’re staying in San Diego city limits, they have a spot in North Park that’s near other breweries (and great tacos).
9. Eppig Brewing
You can find great beer just about anywhere in San Diego, but if you’re visiting then you’re here for some good weather and atmosphere. Eppig Brewing’s Waterfront Biergarten in Point Loma is literally right on the water in a harbor near where San Diego Bay meets the Pacific Ocean. They have good IPAs, but I alwasy prefer the Special Lager since it pairs so well with the sunshine.
10. Hopnonymous Brewing
Hopnonymous is the type of place that reminds me of the good old days of craft beer, where breweries popped up out of nowhere and made it work. Based in Kearney Mesa (though locals would probably just say “Convoy”), Hopnonymous is a fun spot with a blend of traditional and creative beer styles. I love the Leaving Without Saying Goodbye Irish Red, but there’s always an interesting IPA on the menu worth trying. They also have a spot in Normal Heights, which might appeal more to locals looking for a new watering hole.
Where to Brewery Hop in San Diego
The breweries in San Diego may seem spread out at first glance, but they’re grouped together in clusters in specific neighborhoods, making it super easy to plan a quick brewery crawl. You can find most of the breweries mentioned in these areas, too.
Miramar. This neighborhood is so dense iwth beer that I had to create a separate article to look at the best breweries in Miramar. Aside from Pure Project, AleSmith, and Fall, check out Duckfoot And KooBrew.
North Park. North Park Beer Co and Modern Times both have spots here, as well as Fall and Pure Project. Other great spots in North Park include Seek Beer Co (a personal favorite) and it’s neighor Barley & Sword.
Kearny Mesa. Close to Miramar, Kearny Mesa is home to Hopnonymous and Societe, all great picks. You can also swing by Ketch Brewing or Kilowatt Brewing to check out the Tiki Speakeasy…if you can find the door.
Coronado/Little Italy. Just a ferry away from each other, Coronado and Little Italy are home to Coronado Brewing and Ballast Point. There’s a fun Stone Brewing location near here, too, if you’re a fan of their beer.
San Diego, a Great Place for Beer
One of the best things about breweries in San Diego is that some of them have multiple spots, and you can find local bars and taprooms carrying options from pretty much everywhere. You don’t have to go far to find great beer, which is just the way it should be!
San Diego Brewery FAQs
Ballast Point and Stone Brewing have the widest reach, but AleSmith has a massive local appeal. Spots like Pure Project, Coronado, and Societe are also popular breweries.
Miramar has the most breweries, followed by North Park and Kearny Mesa. If you only have one afternoon to check out spots, Miramar is the place to go.
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