It's no secret that craft beer lovers are a generally hip and cool lot who relish the opportunity to sip a few cold ones with friends, talking about hopes, dreams, and hops. The craft beer community, in turn, embraces the idea that a tasting room or beer garden should be a comfortable, laid back, friendly atmosphere that encourages relaxation and the pure enjoyment of great brews. To that end, many tasting rooms around the county have been intentionally designed to feel like the living room or rec room of your own house.

A big part of the San Diego Beer experience exists in the tasting rooms of the many wonderful breweries. Here are the ones that are the most fun to chill at.

Whether you consider ownership, accolades, or simply fame and fortune, the restaurant, cocktail, and beer industries are largely dominated by men. But in San Diego, there's a rising stock of female masters taking the food, beer, wine, and cocktail scene to another level. Here's a look at some of the city's top food and drink mavens, and where you can taste or sip their creations.

30th Street is home to some of the city's best craft beer bars and beer-friendly restaurants, as well as a few breweries and tasting rooms.