North Park Brewery Guide
Known in San Diego as the Capital of Craft, this hipster neighborhood has tasting rooms, beer bars and breweries lining the streets. A neighborhood that began over 100 years ago has transformed from a rundown suburb, to one of the area’s most recognizable beer destinations. In addition to a wide variety of beer options, North Park has a bustling nightlife scene, coffee shops galore, eclectic art galleries and an awesome lineup of venues with live music. The area is a foodie’s paradise featuring some of the most unique eateries in the City – all within walking distance or a short bike ride of one another. From north to south, we’ll tell you about our favorite breweries in North Park!
Want to experience it for yourself – book a North Park brewery tour with So Diego where you’ll be led on a 2.5-hour experience filled with beer, history, art and did we say beer! If you’d prefer to go solo and do it at your own pace, you can walk or catch the City’s #2 bus which travels from downtown along the entire length of 30th Street (or Beer Street as it’s known to the locals). If you do choose to start your beer extravaganza downtown, here’s a list of other things to do in downtown San Diego before you hit the famed North Park! Don’t forget that for a $5 1-Day Pass, you can hop on and off that #2bus as many times as you’d please.
Fall Brewing Company
Photo credit – Fall Brewing Company
Their tasting room located inside the brewery is known for good times, friendship and a great selection of beers. They pay homage to the punk rock scene from the décor to the beer names and music. They are kid friendly, dog friendly and if you’re hungry, local food trucks rotate in front of the venue, or you can bring in something of your own. The friendly bartenders are happy to talk about the wide variety of beers and their beer making process. They also offer samplers at great prices. Our favorite ale – Green Hat IPA.
Poor House Brewing Company
Photo credit – Poor House Brewing Company
This brewery may look a little nondescript on the exterior but inside you’ll find a cozy spot where the “beertenders” know the regulars by name. They have fast service with great prices and for entertainment they feature local sports on the TV, a pool table, darts and shuffleboard. Offering happy hour $1 off pints Monday – Friday from 2:00 – 7:00 pm they also have free peanuts and pretzels and on Thursday nights at 5:00 pm, free pizza with the purchase of a pint! Our favorite brew – 30 Hops IPA.
Belching Beaver Brewery – North Park Tasting Room
Photo credit – Belching Beaver Brewery
This tasting room is an outpost of their production facility located in Vista, CA. They offer a variety of beers for every palate from easy-drinking blondes, triple IPAs to barrel-aged beers, you’re almost guaranteed to find one (or many) that you love. The tasting room has an open-air feel with counter seating along roll-up doors that offer a floor to ceiling view out to the sidewalk. Our favorite brew – Peanut Butter Milk Stout, try it in served as a beer float – yep with ice cream!
Rip Current Brewing
Photo credit – Rip Current Brewing
This satellite tasting room (brewery is located in San Marcos) is positioned in the middle of bustling 30th Street and offers a large selection of beers and specialty guest beers on 29 taps. They share their space with Craft House a restaurant offering delicious seasonal local food. Because they have a full restaurant, they do not allow pets other than service animals. They’ve won multiple awards for their beers over the years including the 2015 Small Brewing Company of the Year Award! Our favorite brew – Choppy Surf Czech Style Pilsner.
Second Chance Beer Co. – North Park Beer Lounge
Photo credit – Second Chance Beer Co.
Seize. Sip. Enjoy. This craft brewery was founded in 2015 with a collective spirit built on expanding expectations while crafting exceptional beers of the highest quality. They brew their beers in Carmel Mountain and opened this location in 2017. Their lounge-style atmosphere with local wall art has cozy setting offering an open-air feel, couches, games and bar tables with a great patio. They do not serve food but allow you to bring in your own. Our favorite brew – Seize the IPA.
Looking for something different?
Private Tours
Learn how to cook!
Private Cooking Classes San Diego
There is always room for improvement when it comes to cooking.
- Sushi Cooking Class
- Pasta Making Class
- Mexican Cooking Class
Local Brews and Views
Carlsbad Food & Drink
Tour
Journey through time and space on our Carlsbad food tours. Enjoy notable San Diego cuisines.
- History on the move
- A pour de force
- A tour designed for you
Craft Breweries, Local Flavors!
San Diego Brewery
Tours
Tour San Diego on foot, and you’re sure to find a tasty brew in your hand!
- North Park Brewery Tour
- Ocean Beach Brewery Tour
- Little Italy Brewery Tour
The heart of Downtown San Diego
Balboa Park Walking
Tours
Immersive walking tour with insights into the park’s extensive history and architectural marvel.
Sip Around Town
san diego Urban Winery
Tour
Taste great wine from the best urban wineries in San Diego.
- Wine Production
- Taste Award Winning Wine
- Explore San Diego
North Park Beer Co.
Photo credit – Eater San Diego
This brewery opened its doors just over two years ago after renovating a historic department store building into what is now an almost 8,000 sq. ft. craftsman-style tasting room, restaurant and brewery that conjures the arts and crafts architectural styles of North Park. Having started out in the garage of their North Park home, this husband and wife duo have come pretty far. They offer a full restaurant (Mastiff Sausage Company) on site that serves up some tasty food including a great weekend brunch as well as wine and a good selection of non-alcoholic beverages. Check-out their mezzanine level if you want to play darts or shuffleboard. Our favorite brew – Hop-Fu! IPA (the single most award-winning homebrew recipe in history)!
Mike Hess Brewing
This 12,500 sq. ft. brewery and tasting room is located in the heart of North Park. As you walk into the tasting room, look down for a birds eye view into the brewery which includes the production equipment and canning lines. This dog and family friendly location is a great spot to grab a beer with friends while catching a game on one of the TVs or playing darts or a board game. They have rotating food trucks outside and on Mondays and Tuesdays, bring in your Mike Hess glassware for $4 pints all day! Our favorite brew – Into the Sunset Blood Orange IPA.
Modern Times Beer – North Park Flavordome
Photo credit – Modern Times Beer
Offering the most eclectic décor of all the breweries in North Park, this small tasting room has 16 beers on tap that include their core beers as well as pilot batches and experimental pours – who knows you might be tasting the next award-winning brew! Their brewery started in Point Loma and they now have 4 additional tasting rooms (3 in San Diego, 1 in LA and 1 in Portland)! They don’t serve food but allow you to bring in your own and have partnered with some of the local restaurants to deliver directly to your table! They allow small children (under the age of 13) and dogs are permitted on their patio. In addition to beer, they also roast their own coffee which you can purchase at the tasting room. Our favorite brew – Lomaland Czech Saaz.
Thorn Brewing
Located a few blocks to the east of 30th Street, this tasting room is tucked into the neighborhood and offers a cozy pub feel inside with a patio out back. The brewery started in North Park but has since moved their production facility to Barrio Logan (where there is also a tasting room). They have rotating food trucks out front or you can bring in your own food (or order something to go from the BBQ joint next door which we recommend). Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed, and kids can come anytime before 8:00 pm. Our favorite brew – Cocomotive Coconut Porter. If you’re interested in a change of pace while still hanging in North Park, check out some of the other trendy bars, restaurants and lounges that North Park has to offer!
We know you are thirsty after hearing about all these amazing places – grab some friends and book a San Diego Brewery tour with So Diego Tours! In addition to sampling some great beer, you’ll get up close and personal with the brewing process and you’ll learn how a run-down area like North Park blossomed into the trendy place it is today.
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Related Posts
Categories
Daily Tours
The historic Gaslamp Quarter is famous for its entertainment, shopping, and nightlife, but most people don’t realize the historic district was once home to one of the most anticipated red light districts in the West. On this guided Gaslamp tour full of cuisine, culture, and curiosities, we’ll take you through the scandalous post-Gold Rush history of the heart of downtown San Diego.
On our Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones guided tour, we take you back in time to Old Town San Diego—also known as the Birthplace of California. Together with one of our expert tour guides, you’ll discover the events and learn about the individuals that led to Old Town’s current popularity as a cultural hotspot.
But don’t worry, we don’t believe in following the usual tourist paths when it comes to exploring a town so rich in history and culture. On our Old Town food tour, you’ll get authentic food tastings, elevated cocktail sampling, and a haunted location or two for an unforgettable historic Old Town experience.
No San Diego Little Italy walking tour would be complete without exploring this culinary hotspot’s best places to eat. Known for its variety of restaurants, America’s biggest Little Italy has become a food lover’s bucket list destination, and we’re here to show it off!
Join our Little Italy walking tour full of food, fun, and Italian culture.
Planning a romantic date or your next friend’s night out? Our Little Italy wine tasting tour is the perfect way to elevate your outing and get to know one of San Diego’s most unique downtown neighborhoods.
As we stroll through this historic fishing town, you’ll learn all about the area’s rich history and, of course, sample the food and wine that makes Little Italy one of the best dining locations in all of San Diego and, dare we say, Southern California.
