Craft Beer

A large and sophisticated operation, Alesmith is a shining example of what a successful craft brewery can be. RECOMMENDED

Worth visiting for both beer and food.

A bright, airy and well-appointed space with some very good beers.  RECOMMENDED

Both my visits to South Park Brewing Company, months apart and under different brewing teams, have been disappointing.

A beer-focused restaurant near the beach. What more could you ask for?

A swanky spot with a high quality and extensive house and guest tap list, plus food.

You’ll find both Green Flash and Alpine brands brewed here. The beer is good, but I’m not sure it deserves quite the level of hype it has been getting.

Monkey Paw delivers the whole package: a comfortable, divey room with plenty of seating, a great selection of house and guest beers, awesome food and enthusiastic staff.  RECOMMENDED

The second location of award-winning San Diego Brewing Co. They are co-located with Eppig and Pariah, and have a beautiful new space.  RECOMMENDED

Kilowatt paid a lot of attention to their lighting design, but could give a bit more attention to their beers.

Council Brewing Co. makes a huge variety of different beers with an emphasis on West Coast IPAs and sours. It is good stuff.

Here’s a little piece of mine published by SommBeer.com with some thoughts about my first few months as a beer blogger. Please share with your beer-curious friends.

Whether or not you count it as “craft” or “big” beer, this is a good spot to get some good beers. RECOMMENDED

Serving multi-award-winning brews on the theme of “traditional English ales with west coast flair,” New English offers good service and a comfortable atmosphere.  RECOMMENDED

Located inside The Homebrewer on El Cajon, Home Brewing Co. is a tap room that makes some great beer, and the people who work there are eager to share their craft beer knowledge.  RECOMMENDED

Mission Brewery’s beautiful historic building is a beacon of hope in the middle of San Diego’s shame, namely the huge homeless camp that takes up much of East Village.

THIS LOCATION CLOSED PERMANENTLY IN JANUARY 2017. 32 North Brewing is located inside Moniker General at Liberty Station. Both Bottlecraft’s beer shop/tasting room and Stone’s World Bistro and Gardens are nearby.

The happy hour prices are good. Avoid the nachos.