The Top Brewpubs in San Diego
Home to over 150 Craft Beer Breweries, San Diego has enjoyed a meteoric rise to becoming the craft beer capital of the United States. Everywhere you go there is a new brewery opening up, or one that’s coming out with a new flavor – so if you’re a beer lover, San Diego is the place for you. A lot of these breweries are expanding to food so not only can you enjoy some of the best beer in the country, but you can stay and enjoy some fantastic food to boot! Below is a list of a few of the top Brewpubs in the city.
Puesto Mission Valley + Cerveceria
5010 Mission Center Rd., San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 333-2167
Puesto Mission Valley + Cerveceria is more like a Mexican restaurant with a brewery in the back than a straight brewpub because of how good some of their food is. The burritos are a favorite – especially a filet mignon burrito which takes heaps of filet mignon and adds crispy melted cheese, avocado, and herb lime rice. The tacos are also incredible options with the pastor, mole chicken, and carnitas tacos leading the pack. As for what to drink, Puesto has a crisp Mexican lager, an Amber Lager, and their Puesto Negra Lager. They’ve recently added a Navidad beer which adds spice to create a nice holiday beer, along with an IPA for all you IPA fans. Puesto is a great place to enjoy some absolutely wonderful food, and a nice beer.
Ballast Point Brewing Company, Little Italy
2215 India St. San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 255-7213
San Diego’s very own Ballast Point Brewing has expanded throughout the country but its roots are to the city. Known for their award-winning IPA, Ballast has a ton of variety for any kind of beer drinker, but a visit to the brewery over in Little Italy and now you can enjoy some top-notch bar food to make for a great experience.
If you’re feeling peckish – the pretzel bites and truffle fries are perfect to enjoy while you’re enjoying a pint. The Wahoo Steamed Mussels and Ahi Poke are two unique brewpub appetizers and are done right, while the Blue Cheese Duck Nachos comes with heaping amounts of duck confit and a Sour Wench reduction that is truly unique. If you’re looking for something to call your own and not share grab an order of the fish tacos, or enjoy one of their sandwiches or burgers to quench your hunger.
Coronado Brewing Company
1205 Knoxville St., San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 275-2215
With a rather impressive list of beers available at a moment’s notice – it’s easy to see why Coronado is so popular. Combine fantastic beer with really good food, and you got yourself a Brewpub to make sure to visit. Whether you’re in the mood for tacos, salad, or pizza Coronado’s has you covered. The California Style Pizza uses a roasted garlic sauce and then piles on chicken, bacon, and avocado on top, amongst other things, for a great pizza. If you’re looking for something heartier, the Butcher Shop pizza comes with soppressata salami, Italian sausage, and ham with piles of mozzarella. If you’re looking for something to share you can’t go wrong with the artichoke dip or the Brew Pub Pretzel.
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Garden | Liberty Station
2816 Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 269-2100
This beautiful location is massive with lots of options to dine
outside, a bocce ball court, outdoor cinema space, and a garden to give everyone something to do. The beer list is absolutely impressive with some truly unique tasting beers including the impressive Modern Times Devils Teeth with Pistachio and Coconut coming in at a whopping 13.5% ABV, but what we are focusing on is the food and Stone Brewing World Bistro and Garden focuses on their food just as much. If you’re coming with a group – the Arrogant Bastard Honey BBQ Rib Platter features three pounds of St. Louis style ribs, coleslaw, bacon baked beans, and fresh-baked cornbread. The Yellowfin Ahi Poke Nachos are very good in their own right – served with delicious sriracha mayo and avocado crema. They also have burgers, and sandwiches to choose from, and a special section of the menu is dedicated to their “epic entrees” highlighted by their delicious Electric Noodles that come with heaping amounts of flank steak cooked in gochujang and soy sauce.
Viewpoint Brewing Company
2201 San Dieguito Dr.,
Suite D Del Mar, CA 92104
(858) 356-9346
Wonderful beer, decadent mac and cheese, beautiful location, and a dog-friendly patio – what else do you need? The beer speaks for itself – with a personal favorite being the Midnight Delight Stout that tastes of dark chocolate and plums. But it’s the food menu that sticks out with some very unique menu items that really stand out – especially for a brewpub. The Soy Glazed Short Rib is beautifully cooked and comes served with a delicious green papaya salad, while the ceviche is packed with shrimp and fish. The avodada fries come with piles of pulled pork and their cheese sauce and is balanced really nicely with pickled red onions. All of that said, you have to try the mac and cheese – which you can either get plain, with veggies, or with delicious spicy chorizo. As for your entrees – you have your standard burgers and sandwiches, and the mushroom flatbread is worth the price.
Barn Brewers
2850 El Cajon Blvd #3, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 230-5714
With everything from hard seltzers to IPA’s Barn Brew is a great place to stop by and grab a beer. What really stands out about this brewery, along with great tasting libations, is their full kitchen that also has a full brunch menu as well. The Crispy Catfish or Blackened Catfish Tacos are bursting with flavor and great appetizers, while the Truffled Shroom Burger takes the cake for the entrees. The Truffled Shroom burger comes with sautéed mushrooms on a brioche bun with garlic aioli and a beautiful truffle goat cheese which packs enormous flavor in every bite.
Half Door Brewing Co.
903 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-9845
Half Door Brewing Company takes the traditional definition of the word “pub” and elevates it with dynamic beer on tap, and high-quality excellent tasting food. They have your normal brewpub starters such as the Salted Pretzel Bites, Sausage Roll Bites, or the House Sausage Mac N Cheese, but also intertwine unique offerings such as the White Truffle Flatbread which comes topped with oyster mushrooms, balsamic artichokes, arugula, and asiago cheese. For something a little more substantial you can get Coleman’s stout battered Alaskan cod with malt vinegar chips – better known as Fish ‘n Chips, or a delicious HDBC burger that comes with tasty truffle aioli, or try their incredible Pork Belly Hash that comes topped with white rosemary hollandaise. For dessert, the Banana White Chocolate Bread is sure to bring a smile to your face.
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