Craft beer tasting and San Diego go together like waves and surf, and if you’re a beer lover, you simply can’t leave San Diego without visiting one of San Diego County’s many breweries. With over 100 in and around San Diego, it can be difficult to choose which ones to prioritize. These are some of San Diego’s most iconic breweries and tasting rooms and are a great place to start experiencing San Diego’s beloved craft beer scene.
Stone Brewing Company
Possibly best known from a global perspective, Stone Brewing Company is like the granddaddy of San Diego craft beer, if your grandpa is still in vogue with a laid-back West Coast flair. Stone Brewing Company’s flagship store is located in Escondido, about 30 minutes northeast of San Diego. Its impressive beer garden, with ponds, trails, and plenty of green space to enjoy your tasting flight is worth a hike, a rarity to find in San Diego. Stone also has an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy farm-to-table cuisine before or after scheduling a tour of the brewery to see the brewing process.
Green Flash Brewing Company
Breweries
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Green Flash Brewing Company has a large tasting room with an industrial flair. White walls and steel accents create the backdrop to the long bar where friendly workers will teach you about Green Flash beers and help you select which ones to try. Green Flash is known for its hoppy beers. You can enjoy your tastings in the wide open space of the tasting room, perfect for mingling, or take your glass to the grassy outdoor patio and picnic tables. Although Green Flash does not serve food, a food truck is usually parked next to the yard so you can order without having to leave the brewery premises.
Ballast point
Ballast Point has been considered one of the highest quality breweries in San Diego by those who live there. Constellation Brands apparently agrees, having just acquired Ballast Point for $ 1 billion. Like other San Diego breweries, Ballast Point is known for its hoppy beers, like the Sculpin IPA. Visit Ballast Point shortly before the acquisition is complete and to see an example of the crème de la crème of San Diego’s craft beer scene, which is currently treading a fine line between art and commercialism.
Visiting these breweries will give you a good taste of the San Diego beer scene, and many flavors of different beer flavors. If you’re still looking for more breweries to try, check out the ones listed on the San Diego Brewers Guild website.
