Skip to content
finding.beerDownload on the App Store

Metro area

Best breweries in San Diego, California

Within 13 miles of San Diego we track 64 breweries. 3 rate Exceptional and 11 rate Great. North Park Beer Company in San Diego leads the list at 4.71 (Exceptional).

The scale

  • Exceptional

    A short list of extraordinary breweries worth planning a trip around.

  • Great

    Consistently produce world-class beer.

  • Fine

    Make genuinely good beer, if not the pint you will still be talking about next year.

  • Poor

    Not bad beer so much as unremarkable beer.

  • Limited

    Most craft beer drinkers pass these by.

Ranked breweries

  1. 1

    North Park Beer Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    2022 GABF Brewery of the Year (2001-5000BBLS)!! We are a community-focused Brewery & Taproom in San Diego, California! We love beer and have tons of fun making all types of IPAs, new school and traditional lagers, barrel-aged stouts, funky fruited sours, and everything in between.

    Rating
    4.71Exceptional
    Popularity
    Widely rated
  2. 2

    Pure Project Brewing

    San Diego, California, United States

    At Pure Project, we believe every beer should tell a story; just like a world class meal, a perfect cup of coffee or a timeless wine, and we aim to bring that same level of passion, creativity and artistry to the ever evolving craft beer community. We look forward to sharing our art with that movement by focusing on quality & experience to give context to the beer in your glass. We blend distinctively Southern California style with unique flavors & ingredients. It is a big world out there and we are committed to sourcing quality from across the globe to right down the street. We hope to see you soon.

    Rating
    4.58Exceptional
    Popularity
    Very widely rated
  3. 3

    AleSmith Brewing Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Founded in 1995, AleSmith Brewing Company is a San Diego based artisanal craft brewery that specializes in handcrafted ales inspired by the European classics. Deeply rooted in the amateur and craft brewing communities, AleSmith ales continue to garner both national and international recognition.

    Rating
    4.47Exceptional
    Popularity
    Extremely widely rated
  4. 4

    Seek Beer Co.

    San Diego, California, United States

    Seek Beer Co. produce's high quality beer and is ranked #44 in California. They are most well known for "Fortune Pilsner", which is a German Pilsner and "Infinite Scroll", which is an Imperial New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.

    Rating
    4.40Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  5. 5

    Modern Times Beer

    San Diego, California, United States

    Modern Times is an intrepid cadre of brewers, coffee roasters, culinary wizards, creative powerhouses, and beer-slingers that began as a 30bbl production brewery and tasting room in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego in 2013. Since its inception, the Modern Times multiverse has expanded to include a robust and ever-growing barrel program, & tasting room locations.

    Rating
    4.29Great
    Popularity
    One of the most-rated breweries anywhere
  6. 6

    BLAH Brewing

    San Diego, California, United States

    Rating
    4.26Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  7. 7

    The Original 40 Brewing Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Located in the heart of North Park, San Diego, The Original 40 Brewing Co. name is a nod to the neighborhood's origin as 40 acres of citrus groves. We brew world class beer and serve upscale pub fair with So Cal flair in a modern casual environment with both inside and outdoor seating.

    Rating
    4.24Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  8. 8

    Societe Brewing Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Societe Brewing Company produce's high quality beer and are usually experimenting brewing new ones. They are most well known for "The Pupil", which is an American IPA and "The Apprentice", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Belgian Ales.

    Rating
    4.17Great
    Popularity
    Widely rated
  9. 9

    Hopnonymous Brewing Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    ..We Brew, You Brag.. We want to give you the opportunity to brag with your friends about how good your beer is. Now anyone who appreciates your kitchen or your services can also appreciate your hoppy taste!

    Rating
    4.17Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  10. 10

    Burning Beard Brewing Company

    El Cajon, California, United States

    From high-gravity IPAs and stouts to light & refreshing lagers, saisons, and American Wilds, Burning Beard is a brewing operation proud to call San Diego home. In everything we doβ€”quality, craftsmanship, serviceβ€”our goal is to meet or exceed what this great town expects and with any luck, leave the bar just a little higher than it was when we got here. Up the Beard!

    Rating
    4.15Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  11. 11

    East Village Brewing Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Rating
    4.15Great
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  12. 12

    Eppig Brewing

    San Diego, California, United States

    J & L Eppig Brewing is reinventing the Eppig brewing legacy 150 years after the establishment of the family's first brewery in Brooklyn, New York. Brothers Joseph and Leonhard Eppig established a brewing empire which excelled through the early 1900's and discreetly endured the trials and tribulations of Prohibition.

    Rating
    4.14Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  13. 13

    TapRoom Beer Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Rating
    4.13Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  14. 14

    TapRoom Beer Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Rating
    4.13Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  15. 15

    California Wild Ales

    San Diego, California, United States

    California Wild Ales produce's decent quality beer and are constantly experimenting brewing new ones. They are most well known for "Peach And Nectarine Golden Sour", which is a Wild Ale - American and "Salted Yuzu", which is a Wild Ale - American. Their primary focus is brewing Wild Ales and Sours.

    Rating
    3.97Fine
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  16. 16

    Sunny Grove Brewing Company

    Santee, California, United States

    Rating
    3.96Fine
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  17. 17

    Ketch Brewing

    San Diego, California, United States

    Ketch Brewing produce's good quality beer and has a decent variety of ones to choose from. They are most well known for "Celestial Navigation", which is an American IPA and "Hazy Conditions", which is a New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.

    Rating
    3.93Fine
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  18. 18

    Pizza Port Brewing Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Brewpub Chain with six locations: Solana Beach, Carlsbad Village, San Clemente, Ocean Beach, Bressi Ranch Carlsbad, and Imperial Beach. All locations have their own brewhouse and brewing team. The larger Bressi Ranch facility produces the core Pizza Port brands in kegs and cans for distribution.

    Rating
    3.92Fine
    Popularity
    Very widely rated
  19. 19

    Pizza Port Brewing Company

    Imperial Beach, California, United States

    Brewpub Chain with six locations: Solana Beach, Carlsbad Village, San Clemente, Ocean Beach, Bressi Ranch Carlsbad, and Imperial Beach. All locations have their own brewhouse and brewing team. The larger Bressi Ranch facility produces the core Pizza Port brands in kegs and cans for distribution.

    Rating
    3.92Fine
    Popularity
    Very widely rated
  20. 20

    Puesto CervecerΓ­a

    San Diego, California, United States

    Puesto CervecerΓ­a produce's fine quality beer and chooses to limit their brewing to a select few. They are most well known for "Puesto IPA", which is an American IPA and "Puesto Negra", which is a Dark Lager. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Lagers.

    Rating
    3.89Fine
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  21. 21

    Mujeres Brew House

    San Diego, California, United States

    The Mujeres Brew Club Mission is to Educate and Empower those who love Craft Beer! This will be an opportunity to learn the insights behind the growing Craft Beer Industry in San Diego and to open opportunities to pursue a career in the industry or just to understand the basics of Craft Beer.

    Rating
    3.89Fine
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  22. 22

    Fall Brewing Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Established in 2014, We set out to make the beer we would love to drink with our friends. Crisp, clean lagers, hop-forward IPAs, fruited sours and rich stouts. The future is now!! Stay Rad. Drink FALL.

    Rating
    3.89Fine
    Popularity
    Well rated
  23. 23

    Hodad’s Brewing Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Since 1969 Hodad's has been serving the world's best burger. In 2018 we launched Hodad's Brewing Company and have been brewing award winning beer to pair with our award winning burgers ever since!

    Rating
    3.88Fine
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  24. 24

    Embolden Beer Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Embolden Beer Company produce's decent quality beer and are regularly brewing different ones. They are most well known for "Clear Intentions", which is an American IPA and "Brave the Haze", which is an Imperial New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Sours.

    Rating
    3.88Fine
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  25. 25

    Ballast Point Brewing Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Started in 1996 by a small group of home brewers in San Diego, Ballast Point Brewing Company explores new tastes and techniques to create the perfect balance of taste and aroma. From developing a proprietary yeast for our amber ale to creating a breakthrough gold medal-winning IPA, Ballast Point is dedicated to the craft of brewing beers for all to enjoy. Visit BallastPoint.com to learn more about our history and collection of beers.

    Rating
    3.86Fine
    Popularity
    One of the most-rated breweries anywhere
  26. 26

    Thr3e Punk Ales Brewing Company

    Chula Vista, California, United States

    Thr3e Punk Ales produce's fine quality beer and are usually experimenting brewing new ones. They are most well known for "Needle In the Hey!", which is an Imperial IPA and "Kill the Pour", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.

    Rating
    3.86Fine
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  27. 27

    Thorn Brewing

    San Diego, California, United States

    Rating
    3.86Fine
    Popularity
    Well rated
  28. 28

    Thorn Brewing

    San Diego, California, United States

    Rating
    3.85Fine
    Popularity
    Well rated
  29. 29

    Chula Vista Brewery

    Chula Vista, California, United States

    Chula Vista Brewery produce's fairly average beer and are usually experimenting brewing new ones. They are most well known for "Humble", which is an Imperial IPA and "Guerita", which is a Blonde Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.

    Rating
    3.85Fine
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  30. 30

    Barley and Sword Brewing Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Our Mission We strive to keep our craft simple, our beer traditional, and our customer experience comfortable and enriching. Barley and Sword Brewing Company focuses on the tradition of craft beer. In a market overwhelmed by experimental brews, we would like to provide a constant and steady product that honors the legacy of beer and the positive impact it has had on society. We aim to focus on the community that beer creates. Barley and Sword will be an active part of the local community, and hope to engage the public and our regular customers with regular new releases of classic beers, food vendors, craft fairs, pub games, and events such as table top game nights. We want to create a comfortable and wholesome space that encourages folks to share their stories and experiences by making our brewery feel like a home away from home for all our neighbors and beyond, and a place where everyone does actually know your name.

    Rating
    3.85Fine
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  31. 31

    Creative Creature Brewing Company

    El Cajon, California, United States

    Creative Creature Brewing Company produce's decent quality beer and are constantly experimenting brewing new ones. They are most well known for "Red Raspberry Smackers", which is a Fruited Sour and "Mango Machado", which is an Imperial IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Sours.

    Rating
    3.84Fine
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  32. 32

    Latchkey Brewing

    San Diego, California, United States

    Latchkey Brewing Company is the product of many years of dreaming, planning and honing of skills. The term "Latchkey", or "Latchkey Child" (laCHˌkΔ“ CHΔ«ld) is a child who is at home without adult supervision for some part of the day, especially after school until a parent returns from work. As Latchkey Kids, Gen-Xers, we spent a good portion of our childhood unsupervised, filling our days experimenting with music, sports, and other creative hobbies-- and sometimes finding trouble. Now, after 20 years in stable careers, we are stepping out on our own, completely unsupervised and left to our own devices (although, this time around, we're responsible adults... right?).

    Rating
    3.83Fine
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  33. 33

    Kings & Convicts Brewing Co.

    San Diego, California, United States

    Kings & Convicts Brewing Co. produce's good quality beer and are regularly brewing different ones. They are most well known for "King's Bitch", which is an American IPA and "Hougoumont", which is a German Pilsner. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.

    Rating
    3.83Fine
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  34. 34

    Gravity Heights

    San Diego, California, United States

    Like so many great things in life, Gravity Heights was born out of a chance encounter between a few passionate and like minded people having had one (or two) beers too many.

    Rating
    3.81Fine
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  35. 35

    Karl Strauss Brewing Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene throughout San Diego and beyond with innovative and award-winning releases. They have an ongoing collaboration series with some of the nation’s most well-respected breweries, and are known for launching exciting new brands like their Golden Stout, as well as cult classics like Red Trolley Irish Red. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.

    Rating
    3.81Fine
    Popularity
    Very widely rated
  36. 36

    SouthNorte Beer Company

    San Diego, California, United States

    We were born at the crossroads of cultures, where the blend of energies, wisdom, and talents equal more than the sum of the parts. We are brewers, makers, and travelers wanting to see where we can take beer. And where it can take us. We explore the best of what each lado brings to the table. We cross borders and brew locally. We craft with an accent. We are SouthNorte. Hecho en San Diego.

    Rating
    3.81Fine
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  37. 37

    Deft Brewing

    San Diego, California, United States

    Deft Brewing produce's decent quality beer and are regularly brewing different ones. They are most well known for "Dawn of the Deft", which is an English Porter and "DeftHopt Golden", which is an English IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.

    Rating
    3.81Fine
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  38. 38

    Kairoa Brewing Co.

    San Diego, California, United States

    Kairoa is a New Zealand owned brewpub in the heart of University Heights San Diego. We combine ingredients from New Zealand with fun new ideas from San Diego to create innovative styles. Our mission is to create delicious beer and food that makes people feel at home in our modern farmhouse designed space, a nod to our family past. Enjoy our rooftop bar with friends while enjoying the sunset over the San Diego urban scenery.

    Rating
    3.81Fine
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  39. 39

    Protector Brewery

    San Diego, California, United States

    San Diego’s 1st Award-Winning USDA Organic Beer Co. 2021 San Diego IPA Brewery of the Year from NY International Beer Fest Veteran owned. Military/LEO/Fire Discount. Dog Friendly.

    Rating
    3.81Fine
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  40. 40

    Mike Hess Brewing

    San Diego, California, United States

    Mike Hess Brewing produces high quality, unique and distinctive beers for the craft beer lover, serving the San Diego consumer and visiting tourists from our two brewery and tasting room locations. Both of our facilities are family and dog friendly, and offer a unique brewery and tasting room experience that is enjoyed by the novice and the craft beer aficionado. Aspiring nano-brewers can tour our humble beginnings at our Miramar location, as our production brewery is approachable and wheeled! Our North Park brewery features a unique vantage point, allowing our guests to walk safely and comfortably within the brewhouse and fermentation tank farm.

    Rating
    3.80Fine
    Popularity
    Widely rated

Showing the top 40 of 64 breweries we track here. The full list is in the app.