Discover the best breweries in North Park San Diego, with our meticulously researched list of the top 10 establishments. San Diego’s craft beer scene is thriving, and North San Diego is no exception, offering a diverse and innovative selection of brews.
Whether you’re a local looking to expand your great beer palate or a visitor eager to explore the city’s brewing culture, our expertise in the field ensures a comprehensive and curated list.
One particularly intriguing finding during our research is the unique combination of traditional brewing techniques with experimental flavors at Aztec Brewery Company. Here are the top 10 breweries in North Park San Diego.
- Viewpoint Brewing Company
- Burgeon Beer Company
- The Lost Abbey/The Confessional
- Belching Beaver Brewery
- Bagby Beer Co.
- Aztec Brewery
- Wild Barrel Brewing Company
- Culture Brewing Company
- PizzaPort
- Mother Earth Brewing
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The Top 10 Breweries in North San Diego
Below is our detailed list of the 10 best breweries in North Park, San Diego.
1. Viewpoint Brewing Company
Image Source: Viewpoint Brewing Company
Viewpoint Brewing Company is a famous brewery on San Diego County’s Del Mar coastline, providing spectacular ocean waves views. Among their unique style of beers, Viewpoint Brewing Company is well-known for its crisp and refreshing Flagship Kolsch. The brewery has won many awards, including the 2019 California State Fair Silver Medalist.
2. Burgeon Beer Company
Image Source: Burgeon Beer Company
Burgeon Beer Company is a small-batch brewery in the coastal town of Carlsbad in North Park, San Diego. It was founded in 2016 by a group of beer buddies passionate about quality craft beer.
The company features a variety of beers on tap, including seasonal brews and timeless classics. They have also gained recognition in the craft north park beer scene, winning awards for their Mexican lager and other delicious beers. Additionally, Burgeon Beer Company features an outdoor seating deck and partners with local food trucks, such as Mastiff Sausage Company, to offer delicious food to pair with their brews.
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3. The Lost Abbey/The Confessional
Image Source: Burgeon Beer Company
The Lost Abbey/The Confessional was founded in 2007 by Tomme Arthur and Vince Marsaglia. The brewery has won numerous awards for its unique and innovative beers, including multiple medals at the Great American Beer Festival.
Some notable beers include the Devotion Belgian Blonde Ale and the Cuvee de Tomme, a sour ale.
4. Belching Beaver Brewery
Image Source: Burgeon Beer Company
Belching Beaver Brewery is a famous brewery in North San Diego due to its inventive and unique craft beer creations. Founded in 2012, they have gained recognition for their standout beers, like their peanut butter milk stout, Horchata imperial stout, and mango IPA.
The brewery claims four medals in the World Beer Cup, and they’ve become a household name among beer lovers in the region.
5. Bagby Beer Co.
Image Source: Burgeon Beer Company
Bagby Beer Co. is a famous Oceanside, North Park, San Diego brewery. It was founded in 2005 by Jeff Bagby, a three-time winner at the Great American Beer Festival. Bagby Beer Co. offers various beers on tap, including their famous Weekday IPA and Dork Squad West Coast Double IPA. In addition, their spacious outdoor patio garden and food menu, featuring Mastiff Sausage Company, make it a popular spot for locals and beer lovers.
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6. Aztec Brewery
Image Source: Aztec Brewery
Aztec Brewery is a historic brewery with roots dating back to the early 1920s. The brewery offers an exciting selection of contemporary craft beers inspired by traditional Mexican and Latin American flavors.
One of its most notable beers, the Aztec Sacrifice Double IPA, has won numerous awards, including the 2012 World Beer Cup bronze medal. With its cozy taproom and vibrant tasting room events, Aztec Brewery is a popular destination for north park beer lovers and connoisseurs.
7. Wild Barrel Brewing Company
Image Source: Wild Barrel Brewing Company
Bill Sysak founded Wild Barrel Brewing Company in 2016. Bill previously worked as the Craft Beer Ambassador for Stone Brewing. Despite its youth, Wild Barrel has already made a name for itself with its exceptional beers, including its award-winning San Diego Vice Mexican Lager.
The brewery has also been recognized with several awards, including a 2018 World Beer Cup gold medal. Wild Barrel offers various beers on tap at its Kearny Mesa tasting rooms, including seasonal brews and timeless classics. This makes it one of the best beer bars in the region.
8. Culture Brewing Company
Image Source: Culture Brewing Company
Culture Brewing Company, founded in 2013, has quickly become a favorite among beer lovers in North San Diego. With three locations in Solana Beach, Encinitas, and Ocean Beach, this small-batch brewery offers a rotating selection of delicious and unique beers.
Notable core beers include their West Coast IPA “Puffin Clouds,” Mexican Lager “Mexican Street Corn,” and Double IPA “Sip of Sunshine.” Culture Brewing is also known for its laid-back atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a cold beer with friends on their outdoor patio or deck. It is definitely a beer lover’s paradise.
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9. PizzaPort
Image Source: PizzaPort
Founded in 1987, Pizza Port has become a mainstay of the West Coast craft beer scene. Some of its most notable beers include the award-winning Chronic Ale and the Shark Bite Red, which won a gold medal at the 2014 World Beer Cup.
Pizza Port is known for its laid-back vibe, outdoor patios, and delicious pizza. It’s a favorite of beer lovers and foodies and has become a San Diego craft beer culture staple.
10. Mother Earth Brewing
Image Source: Mother Earth Brewing
Since its founding in 2010, mother earth craft house has rapidly gained popularity among delicious beer lovers. Mother Earth is known for producing various high-quality brews, including seasonal and limited-edition offerings. It is also dog friendly.
Some of their most popular beers include Cali Creamin’ Vanilla Cream Ale and Endless River Kolsch, which have won numerous awards at prestigious beer competitions. Mother Earth also runs a successful restaurant and taproom featuring a delicious menu and an outdoor patio garden. This makes it one of the best north park breweries.
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Breweries Tours and Tasting in North San Diego
If you’re a beer lover, you won’t want to miss out on some of the best brewery tours and tastings in North San Diego. Here are three of the most popular options:
Wild Barrel Brewing Company
Wild Barrel offers brewery tours every Saturday from 2–4 pm for $15, which includes a beer tasting and a souvenir glass. They also host special events such as live music and food trucks throughout the year.
Culture Brewing Company
Culture offers free brewery tours every Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm and 4 pm, with no reservation required. They also have an ever-changing selection of beer on tap for tastings, food specials, and live music throughout the week.
Belching Beaver Brewery
Belching Beaver offers brewery tours every Saturday from 1–3 pm for prices ranging from $12-$20, which includes a souvenir glass and four flights of beer. They also have food trucks and live music most weekends.
Conclusion
North San Diego has a thriving craft beer scene with a range of breweries catering to all types of beer lovers. In addition, many of the mentioned breweries offer food menus, outdoor patios, and guided tours to enhance the overall visit. With seasonal brews and timeless classics alike, there’s something for everyone in North San Diego’s craft beer culture.