arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

Tasting Rooms You Want to Kick It at Right Now

Grub, games, movies and trivia help elevate the beer drinking experience

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.

By: Bruce Glassman; Author, The San Diego Brewery Guide

There's more to the San Diego beer scene than just good suds. It's an experience, made by and for true hop-heads. A big part of this experience exists in the tasting rooms of the many wonderful breweries. Some locations are designed with impeccable and artistic attention to detail. Others have great grub to enjoy while you share a tasting flight. Some have live music, bocce ball, movie showings or trivia nights. Here are the ones that are the most fun to chill at.

Cellar 3 by Green Flash Brewing Co.

Where: 12260 Crosthwaite Circle, Poway, CA 92064
Owner Mike Hinkley recommends letting the bartenders "be the beer sherpas for the unknown" at Cellar 3. This tasting room is Green Flash's newest project, a cool location offering 15 barrel-aged specialty beers on tap at a time. Of course, you should check out the tasting room at the main Green Flash brewery, too, for a great tour and wider selection of beer.

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station

Where: 2816 Historic Decatur Rd, Unit 116, San Diego, CA 92106
All Stone locations are enchanting; the attention to detail is second to none. However, the Liberty Station venue raises the bar. It's in a historic former Navy mess hall, spanning more than 23,500 square feet, and includes a bocce ball court and outdoor movies in the summer. Oh, and did we mention all the awesome beer?

Thorn Street Brewing

Where: 3176 Thorn St, San Diego, CA 92104
Thorn St. is the epitome of the neighborhood brewery. Filled nightly with locals who biked or walked to grab a pint after work, this beautifully designed rustic brewery features two levels, nightly food trucks and a Trivia Night competition every Wednesday.

Mike Hess Brewing Company

Where: 3812 Grim Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
Upon entering, you walk on a sky bridge that goes through the brewery and over the giant steel equipment...and it gets better from there. Sit at a long table and make some new friends as you play a board game and sip a great beer.

Ballast Point Brewing Company Little Italy

Where: 2215 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
On top of its delicious standard beers, you'll have the opportunity to try a lot of R&D trial beers, too. This brewery is always testing out new flavor combinations in its brews, and it has great food, too. So grab a bite and a beer and enjoy the large patio on a sunny San Diego afternoon. Ballast Point's other locations are also worth checking out, including its massive brewery and restaurant in Miramar.

Societe Brewing Company

Where: 8262 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111
Visitors can really see the brewing experience in this open-space area. You can even take a public tour on Saturdays! Just a couple years old, Societe is one of the newer stars of the Craft Beer Capital of America, and it offers a great experience...plus industry-leading beer.

AleSmith Brewing Company

Where: 9990 Alesmith Ct, San Diego, CA 92126
Check out its beautiful, expansive tasting room and try beers from its latest partnership with Mikkeller, a renowned Danish gypsy brewing operation. Don't miss the shrine (and Pale Ale .394) dedicated to San Diego legend Tony Gwynn.

Modern Times Flavordome

Where: 3000 Upas St, Unit 102, San Diego, CA 92104
Modern Times has a fun and funky tasting room on 30th Street (awesome bars and restaurants everywhere!). The decor is super unique, including a mural of Yoda made entirely out of 3 1/2" floppy disks. Sit by the window for some great people-watching.

The Lost Abbey Confessional

Where: 2007 San Elijo Ave, Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92007
This Lost Abbey-born tasting room sits in charming Cardiff-by-the-Sea and offers beers from not only The Lost Abbey, but its sister breweries-Port Brewing and The Hop Concept-as well. While you're there, grab a slice from East Coast Pizza next door. What's better than pizza with your beer?

White Labs Tasting Room

Where: 9495 Canidida St, San Diego, CA 92126
White Labs specializes in the yeast and fermentation parts of the craft brewing process. When you visit, you get to learn about the role yeast plays in brewing while you drink, tasting the way different yeasts affect beer. Plus, where else can you watch a scientist work while you drink?

Second Chance Beer Co.

Where: 15378 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128
During his previous gig at Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, Marty Mendiola took home awards from both the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. Now he's gone his own way with Second Chance, a fun atmosphere with great beer. Spend an afternoon playing darts along the wall or cornhole in the middle of the brewery.

Bolt Brewery

Where: 1971 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
The Bolt satellite tasting room is located in the heart of trendy Little Italy and features a big outdoor tasting area for getting some sun while you drink. If you happen to be there on a rare rainy day, you'll be consoled with $1 off pints. Its sandwiches are making taste buds as happy as its beers are, so come hungry. If you're in East County, check out the brewery in La Mesa, the revival of San Diego's first post-Prohibition brewery.

 

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Tasting Room Map

Related Articles and Features

Deals just for you

Whale Watching

Luxury Whale Watching Onboard Catamaran. Save $10

Davey's Locker Whale Watching & Sportsfishing
Valid: Jun 5, 2023 - ongoing

Onboard our 50’ pristine Catamaran Yacht, our always low passenger capacity makes for an intimate at sea experience. The luxury whale watching...

Accommodation

Beach, Breakfast, & Bubbles

Pacific Terrace Hotel
Valid: Jan 3 - ongoing

Start your San Diego Beach stay off  with a delicious breakfast for two and mimosas at the Pacific Terrace Hotel. Wake up each morning and savor a tasty meal with the...

Venues

Save up to 15% off and Complimentary Valet Parking

ALTITUDE Sky Lounge - San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
Valid: Oct 20, 2022 - ongoing

No Resort fees… AAA/CAA Members receive complimentary valet parking ($55 value) when you book our AAA special Offer Located within the Gaslamp Quarter, just minutes away from white sandy...

Events to check out

Event

Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro

Sep 22 - Sep 24, 2023

The world’s top professional female surfers will be back in Oceanside for the annual Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro, a 3 day event jam-packed with world-class surfing competition that will blow your...

Event

USA Ultimate National Championships

Oct 19 - Oct 22, 2023

The USA Ultimate National Championships represent the pinnacle of elite ultimate in North America and crowns champions in three divisions: men’s, mixed and women’s. 

Event

Fleet Week San Diego 2023

Nov 3 - Nov 12, 2023

Experience one of San Diego’s largest Military events featuring Military Displays, High Tech equipment in the Innovation Zone, Active Navy & Coast Guard Ship Tours, Live Music, Food, and Fun...

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish