Around the World in Beers: San Diego

California ranks number one when it comes to beer: it’s the state with the highest number of breweries per capita, and highest beer production, with over 3 million barrels of craft beer produced per year. The city of San Diego has a high concentration of breweries, and I got to try a few local brews when I visited in June 2024.

Ballast Point Brewing

Ballast Point Brewing was formed in 1996 by a group of homebrewers operating out of San Diego’s Home Brew Mart. Today, it’s grown into one of San Diego’s best-known breweries with five locations throughout California. During my time in San Diego, I stopped into their Little Italy location for dinner and a flight. It was a great spot to hang out and the food was just as delicious as the beers. Here are the beers I tried in my flight:

• Calm Before the Storm – a 5.5% cream ale with cold brewed Caffé Calabria coffee and vanilla
• El Humo Rojo – a malty 6.3% smoked red ale
• Pineapple Sculpin – a limited release pineapple version of their award-winning Scuplin IPA, coming in at 7% with a balance of hop flavor and sweet pineapple
• Watermelon Dorado – a 10% Double IPA with juicy watermelon flavor

I finished off dinner with a pint of Speedboat, their 4.8% Kolsch with Himalayan Sea salt and lime, a nice light refreshing beer for summer.

Bay City Brewing Company

Bay City Brewing Company has two locations in San Diego, in Point Loma and East Village. I got to try two of their brews at my hotel bar while staying at the Moxy Downtown Gaslamp Quarter, which provides a welcome drink token at check-in. I tried their collaboration Moxy Pilsner, which was light, malty, and biscuity. I then enjoyed their Murky Muchacho, their 6.5% hazy IPA with juicy notes from Citra and Southern Passion hops.

Mike Hess Brewing at Seaport Village

Mike Hess brewing was founded in 2010 by US Navy veteran Mike Hess and his wife Lynda, now with seven locations throughout the San Diego region, including the main brewhouse in North Park. I had a chance to stop into their waterfront Seaport Village location, conveniently located at walking distance from the San Diego Convention Center. With spectacular sunset views over the water, I fittingly enjoyed sipping on an Into the Sunset 6.5% blood orange IPA.

Coronado Brewing Company

I spent an evening exploring the Hotel del Coronado on the peninsula of Coronado in the San Diego Bay, and grabbed a beer at the On the Rocks beach bar. I tried Coronado Brewing Company’s Weekend Vibes, a 6.8% tropical American IPA, the perfect beer for enjoying the coastal views of Coronado Beach.

Half Door Brewing Company

Blink-182 happened to be playing at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, while I was in town for my conference. I looked into last minute tickets, but couldn’t find anything in my price range, so instead I found Half Door Brewing Company that has a rooftop deck a block away from the stadium and sat there to listen to the concert. The brewery is in a quaint 1906 building and was founded on the spirit of Irish hospitality. I ended up making conversation with another table of visitors, a few of whom happened to be in town for the same conference as me, and had such a fun time hanging out with them the rest of the evening. Here are the beers I tried:

• Shadow Over San Diego – a 6.5% hoppy and bitter Schwarzbier
• Half Door Pale Ale – a 5.6% Citra hopped pale ale with mango and citrus notes
• Pot O’ Golden – a 4.9% Golden ale that was light-bodied and sweet

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I had a great time experiencing the brews of San Diego, but feel like I barely made a dent in the robust beer scene there. I hope to get back soon to try some more!