Craft Beer
With more than 120 small craft
breweries, including dozens of
national and international award
winners, San Diego is abuzz over
its thriving and rapidly expanding
craft brew scene. Here’s a guide
to some of the best breweries and
beer pubs in town.
MODERN TIMES
Quirky decor, including a wall of comic
books and a mural constructed with Post-it
notes, is the backdrop for inventive brews on
16 taps such as Fortune Islands, a wheat beer
infused with tropical aromatics, and Black
House, an oatmeal coffee stout made with
house-roasted beans.
3725 Greenwood St., Point Loma; additional
tasting room at 3000 Upas St. in North Park
STONE BREWING WORLD
BISTRO & GARDENS
Stone’s immense facilities boast farm-to-table dining, brewery tours, movie nights
and a merchandise outlet, but in the end,
it’s all about the beer. The menu is loaded
with draft and bottled craft brews, including
Stone’s signature Arrogant Bastard Ale and
top-notch suds from other local breweries.
1999 Citracado Parkway, Escondido and 2816
Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma
BORDER X BREWING
The city’s only Latino-owned brewery has been
making headlines since it opened a few years
ago, and the owners’ pride in their Mexican
heritage shows in the artwork on
the walls, lotería nights, and beer
flavors. The chocolate stout is
made from Abuelita bars, and if
you like the rice drink horchata,
they have a golden ale that incor-
porates it.
2181 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan
ALESMITH
BREWING COMPANY
This local favorite recently
marked its 20th anniversary by
moving to a larger facility and
unveiling a 25,000-square-foot tasting room (the largest in San Diego County)
with 60 taps, an outdoor beer garden and food trucks. Don’t miss the award-winning Speedway Stout or Pale Ale .394, and visit their new Tony Gwynn
Museum honoring the Hall of Famer.
9990 AleSmith Court, Miramar
FIVE TO TRY
Ballast Point Habanero Sculpin
Heaps of habanero chilies crank
up the heat in this hoppy IPA. For
those who can handle the fire, it’s
a favorite.
Stone Xocoveza
This festive take on Mexican hot
chocolate is made only during the
holidays, and flavored with cocoa,
nutmeg, peppers and other spices.
UNUSUAL
SAN DIEGO
BREWS
Stone Brewing World
Bistro & Gardens,
Liberty Station
