San Diego Breweries?

[chimerix]

DH and I are going to be in the San Diego area both before and after our cruise. We are home-brewers and I pulled up info on Breweries in the SD area.

 

Anyone have favorites that are local (ie - not chains)

 

And does anyone know about Alesmith? Do they have a "bar" or do they only have a tasting room with take out growlers?

 

Aloha

[Splinter]

They are located in Mira Mesa, but this is just a brewery. There is no restaurant or club on-site: http://www.alesmith.com/ They do have scheduled tasting times and tours, but there are not any tables or chairs in the room: http://www.yelp.com/biz/alesmith-brewing-co-san-diego

 

Probably the best known local brewery is Karl Strauss. They have a restaurant location downtown very close to the cruise ship pier that is very popular, and has good food in addition to their beers: http://www.karlstrauss.com/PAGES/Eats/Downtown.html

 

Ballast Point is also popular, with two locations: http://www.ballastpoint.com/

 

Here are some additional local microbreweries: http://www.sandiegoclubs.com/venue-types/14/1/microbreweries.html

 

Here is a local brewery tour that you might want to check out: http://www.brewerytoursofsandiego.com/

[riffatsea]

:pHi there,

You have been given lots of great choices!

IF you'll have a car and don't mind driving a bit(40min from downtown)then go and visit Stone Brewery in the city of Escondido,Ca.

http://www.stonebrew.com/

IF you plan on doing other activities during your stay , the Wild Animal Park is nearby and there are some nice casinos not far away too. I hope you enjoy your visit!!

[chimerix]

Great, thanks! Some of those I had, but others were not on my list.

[bflohr]

Not a brewery but if you enjoy micro brew, you will like O'Brians. They get a lot of beer, that noone else can (local and otherwise).

 

http://www.obrienspub.net/

[JandBR_PHX]

Thanks a lot, Splinter! Now I have Karl Strauss Red Trolley Ale on my mind!:p I love that they serve it on draught at the airport. Sadly, I haven't found it in Phoenix. Bro lives in Riverside, and I have him checking Stater Bros. for me.

 

I look forward to trying their restaurant next time I'm in SD. Thank you.

[kimmiecruises]

I highly recommend Stone, their beer garden is so relaxing. Port Brewing is also a favorite (we stay in Carlsbad just for them), and Karl Strauss is nearby. Alesmith was a nice tasting room, standing only, but not bad. Have fun! Also being brewers visiting breweries is a big part of our land vacations :)

[wakkow]

Pizza port in Solana Beach or Carlsbad is great for hoppy beers and really good pizza. Ballast Point's location by USD is attached to their homebrew store and has a tasting bar in the back. Lightning Brewery is in Poway and I'm told they have generous tastings. If you have the time, Stone is worth the trek, especially if you get the mac and beer cheese.

 

You also mention you're a homebrewer.. White Labs is near Alesmith and might do tours if you contact them. :)

[hartjanet]

Thee karl Straauss in Phoenix is really on Mill Ave in downtown Tempe. Stone in Escondito is fantastic... but a drive and hard to find.

[KND2006]

Here is a link to a list of brewers

 

http://www.realbeer.com/destinations/sandiego/breweries.php

 

If you are San Diego try a Russian River Pliny The Elder one of my favorites and rated one of the best double IPA made, unfortunatly not available were I in Illinois.