Did you know San Diego is home to more than 200 brewery venues? And within our very own neighborhoods of Clairemont, Bay Park, Kearny Mesa, and Bay Ho, we have 12 of the finest.
Another fun fact: Linda Vista is the birthplace of one of the nation’s most well-known breweries, Ballast Point Brewing Company. But more on that story later.
San Diego Brewing Scene: A Brief History
While most people think of the nineties as the birth of the brew scene in San Diego, it dates back even further. The first known brewery was established in 1868 in Chollas Valley by an Austrian immigrant.
The early 1900s saw several more breweries set roots in San Diego, only to be snuffed out when Prohibition hit in 1920. Prohibition ended in 1933, but it would be decades before San Diego’s craft beer scene would proliferate.
California legalized home brewing on October 14, 1978, spurring a new generation of brewers who pushed the envelope with flavors and styles. In 1989, Karl Strauss, a German immigrant who grew up around brewing, firmly planted the flag of craft breweries in San Diego when he opened his first brewery downtown.
Home Brew Mart
Jack White was a homebrewer in San Diego who was frustrated with the lack of access to quality brewing supplies. So, in 1992, he opened Home Brew Mart on Linda Vista Road. It was there that he met his customer, Yusseff Cherney, who then became his first employee.
Sharing a passion for brewing, Yusseff and Jack became fast friends. They collaborated, experimented, tested, and tasted, eventually forming Ballast Point in 1996. Ballast Point would eventually sell for a record $1 billion in 2015.
Home Brew Mart still stands in the same place where it began.
Craft Beer Cooldown
The craft beer scene in San Diego became white-hot in the late nineties and through the first decades of the 2000s, earning our city the moniker of the “Craft Beer Capital of the World.” But things began to cool over the last few years, whether from overexpansion, Gen Zers drinking less alcohol, or the economy.
However, many craft breweries still thrive in San Diego. The ones that remain in the Clairemont area have, for the most part, been some of the longer-standing breweries around the county. And for good reason. They offer traditional West Coast-style IPAs known for their hoppy, citrusy, piney flavors, as well as more avant-garde styles, like a BBA Cellar Blend-Moonpie Stout. This keeps both the mainstream and flavor-forward beer drinkers happy.
The Brewery List
The brewery list covers all the breweries in our neighborhood, including several bonus tasting options. And if you prefer coffee over a coffee-flavored stout, our post on Clairemont-area coffee shops is just what you’re looking for.
Home Brew Mart
You already read some of Home Brew Mart’s storied history. Besides being the launchpad for Ballast Point, this store, which nearly blends into the background of a strip mall, was also the incubator for many other well-known San Diego brewers, including Tom Nickel (Nickel Beer + O’Brien’s Pub co-owner) and Chris White (White Labs).
Home Brew Mart was included in the sale of Ballast Point, but recently landed back into the hands of a local and former employee, Jim Johnson. In addition to tastings, Home Brew Mart offers home brewing classes. Some of their notable beers include:
- Sleeps with the Fishes: A light, malty, and bright hoppy West Coast pilsner
- Dream Vacation in the Dells: An homage to Wisconsin grains, this is a classic cream ale with a hint of sweetness
- All I See Turns to Brown Ale: An American brown ale that is rich and chocolately, without being heavy or sweet
Hopnonymous
One of my personal favorites (and where I got my dog—but that’s a story for another time), is Hopnonymous. Hopnonymous on the outside is your typical unassuming brewery, nestled between a sandwich shop and other small businesses in Kearny Mesa. But step inside to a magical world of rich beer flavors sure to delight any beer connoisseur.
Hopnonymous founder, Remy Zurita, brewed specialty beers for local restaurants out of contracted space from San Diego breweries. As his business grew, he went all in and decided to establish a brick-and-mortar location in 2019.
Hopnonymous has won a bevy of awards for its beers, ranging from best Belgian ale, best German beer, and even an award for best customer service. Bring your dog (or bring one home with you during one of the dog rescue collaboration events), and enjoy beers such as:
- The Dorsty Lion: Award-winning Belgian ale with a hint of spice, fruity esters, and a smooth finish
- New Moon Rising: 13% ABV bourbon barrel-aged cellar blend-moonpie stout brewed with Madagascar vanilla beans
- Juice Box Hero Seltzer: Award-winning, fruit-forward, vibrant seltzer
Hopnonymous collaborates with various food trucks so you can pair your brew with grub.
Deft Brewing
Set in the industrial area of the Morena District in the midst of The Gärten, a German beer garden-inspired space, Deft Brewing primarily focuses its brewing efforts on European-style beers. If you enjoy the malt-forward beer flavors of Germany, Belgium, and Britain, Deft is worth a visit. And if you’re a die-hard IPA drinker, don’t worry—they usually keep a couple of those in the rotation as well.
Inside, you’ll be surrounded by minimalism. On the patio, garlands of hop varietals hang from above, giving you a broader appreciation for the beer you’re about to sip. The Gärten is a collaborative space that Deft shares with Pizza Cassette, so you can nosh on pizza, salads, or sandwiches on the Deft patio or on the shared space in the center of The Gärten.
Some of the classic European styles you’ll find at Deft:
- Black Forest Summer Schwarzbier: German-style rich, dark beer
- Austere Abbott Belgian Single
- MacDeft Export: Malty, caramelly, Scottish ale with a hint of sweetness
Come on the weekend and enjoy free live music at The Gärten.
Latchkey Brewing Company
Latchkey is one of the newer breweries on the neighborhood block, but it is certainly not new to the San Diego craft beer scene. The Latchkey name is a tongue-in-cheek poke at the latchkey kid nickname that defined Gen X kids. Initially, Latchkey held tenancy at the iconic Mission Brewery Plaza in Mission Hills. In 2021, they vacated the space and were essentially brewing nomads, brewing out of Viewpoint Brewing Company in Del Mar.
In 2024, Latchkey made Bay Ho its new home, occupying the former space of Bitter Brothers on Morena Boulevard. The breezy open-air space is perfect to sip a brew as you watch the Costco shoppers drive by.
Latchkey’s beer profile includes a nice variety to please various palates, such as:
- A Day In The Life: Traditional West Coast IPA featuring bright citrus, pine, tropical notes and, of course, hoppiness
- It’s My Jam: Berliner kettle sour boasting notes of sweet jammy raspberry offset by the slight bitterness of black currant
- Yellow Car: Unfiltered German Kölsch with balanced, golden, crisp flavors of malt and hops
Latchkey’s initial plans were to add a kitchen to their space, but currently they collaborate with a rotation of different food companies to satisfy hungry customers.
Kilowatt Brewing
Kilowatt Brewing is one of the few breweries on the list that qualifies as a brewpub, serving up both beer and food. Plus, it has a little secret.
This year marks 10 years Kilowatt has been brewing at its Kearny Mesa location, and they take pride in brewing eclectic beers you won’t see on other menus, such as:
- K-Pop: Crisp, refreshing Korean lager brewed with pilsner malt and rice
- Pickle Beer: Light ale beer infused with peppercorn, coriander, mustard seed, garlic, and bay leaves
- Pineapple Coconut Blonde: Island-inspired blonde ale brewed with chipped coconut and juiced pineapple
And about that secret, Kilowatt also has a Tiki-inspired speakeasy called Forbidden Cove, where you can sample exotic cocktails and rare craft beers.
Coronado Brewing Company
Coronado Brewing Company has been a long-standing institution on the island, so when its Bay Park location opened in 2012, it was a welcome addition to the community. The space includes a production area that is front-and-center to patrons in the bar area, as well as a large outdoor patio featuring bright art murals and dogs lounging throughout.
CBC serves both beer and food, so come hungry and thirsty, and leave satisfied. Their beers include a mix of flagship flavors, as well as some innovative styles. IPAs dominate, ranging from juicy to bitter beer-face-inducing double IPAs. Beers on tap include:
- Orange Ave. Wit: Light-bodied wheat beer infused with flavors of orange, coriander, and honey–on tap since 1996
- Big Weekend: A double IPA with an 8.8% ABV that delivers juicy, tropical, and floral flavors
- Weekend Vibes: San Diego-style IPA full of fruitiness, hoppiness, and a dry finish
Quantum Brewing
Quantum Brewing in Kearny Mesa has beer down to a science—literally. Its founder, Martin Beaulieu, has a PhD in biochemistry. He first brewed beer in college as part of a science project, and the rest is history. While Quantum Brewing recently changed ownership, the new owners are carrying on the tradition and the recipes of its former scientist.
Quantum keeps at least 12 beers in its rotation, featuring selections such as:
- Quantum Creamin’: A refreshing and easy-to-drink cream 5% ABV cream ale
- Blueberry π: Blueberry cream ale with a deep blue color like blueberry pie
- Solar Flare: Aromatic blood orange Bavarian wheat ale
Quantum doesn’t serve food, but there are several nearby eateries, and you’re welcome to bring food in.
Ketch Brewing Brew Pub
When people hear Ketch, they usually think Point Loma or Harbor Drive. But tucked away in Kearny Mesa, you can find their quaint brewpub that serves their award-winning beers and flavorful food.
The large open windows bring the outside in, with a few picnic tables outside, and not much of a view. But that’s not why you come here. You come for the beer, which head brewer, Sam Billheimer, our second PhD on this list, takes seriously. Ketch even named one of their beers after him.
Brews on tap include:
- Dr. Billheimer’s: Northern German-style pilsner with crisp, clean flavors and bitter hops
- Hazy Conditions: Hazy IPA bursting with the juicy flavors of pear, melon, and mango
- Alta Mar: Copper-hued Mexican lager lightly toasted with Vienna malt flavors
Harland Brewing
Harland Brewing doesn’t brew at its Bay Park tasting room location, but you’ll get the same tasty flavors as its Scripps Ranch production facility. Situated on a corner of Morena Boulevard across from Mission Bay, Harland Brewing debuted in the neighborhood in the midst of the pandemic.
The space itself is bright and airy with concrete floors, brick walls, and a large outdoor patio. They don’t serve food, but they are surrounded by some popular hotspots, like Bay Park Coffee and Poseidon Project, so you won’t go hungry.
Some standouts from their extensive beer list include:
- West Coast IPA: Their flagship IPA is ripe with tropical fruit flavors of pineapple, coconut, and mango, balanced by the traditional dank of West Coast hops
- Japanese Lager: Brewed with puffed jasmine rice and toasted rice flakes to give this lager a unique, crisp flavor
- Hazy IPA: An aromatic IPA with notes of citrus, gooseberry, and hints of white wine, and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel
Societe
Societe is another of the longstanding Kearny Mesa breweries with a stellar reputation. Their location off Clairemont Mesa Blvd. is the largest on the list, boasting a large tasting room with its production area as a backdrop. The outdoor space offers plenty of sunshine and picnic tables. While Societe doesn’t have a kitchen, the Chacos Tacos food truck has established permanent residency on site.
Societe’s beer selections include both classic and creative flavors, some flagships, and some limited releases. A visit to Societe will undoubtedly leave your palate happy.
Beers in the rotation include:
- The Pupil: Societe’s flagship IPA, a 7.5% ABV beer with tropical hoppiness, with notes of citrus, guava, and mango
- Bulbous Flowers: A citrusy, unfiltered hazy IPA with a fresh orange aroma
- Blonde Ale: An easy-drinking pilsner with a light, crisp body and a floral bouquet
Best Pizza & Brew
Best Pizza is the newest kid on the block, and is located in the heart of Clairemont on Genesee Ave. No stranger to the brewery scene, Best is a North County darling that has found its way south to open its eighth location earlier this year. And this joint has been hoppin’ (yes, pun intended) ever since.
While pizza takes the starring role at Best, its beers make a great supporting cast. Nothing flashy, just solid, drinkable beers, perfect to pair with pizza. Best’s beer menu includes:
- Best IPA: A 7.3% ABV West Coast-style IPA
- Best Hazy IPA: A juicy 7.3% hazy IPA
- Best Blonde: A light, crisp blonde ale
Hodad’s Brewing
Hodad’s Brewing doesn’t have a tasting room, but its main brewery is in Serra Mesa. With a reputation for some of the best burgers in town, Hodad’s had a high bar when it came to beers. But they did not disappoint. Hodad’s recently won a European Beer Star Award for their hazy IPA, Turtle Town.
Brewing since 2018, Hodad’s offers a variety of unique and flavorful craft beers, including:
- Throwback Brown Ale: Award-winning, medium body, smooth and malty brown ale
- Hesher Hazy IPA: New England-style hazy IPA that’s double dry-hopped and juicy in flavor
- Surf Punk Baja Lager: Light hops, crisp and refreshing malty lager
Head to a Hodad’s location or pick up in stores.
Bonus Tasting Options
These next few options aren’t breweries, but still deserve a place on this list. Two of them are part of The Gärten, where Deft Brewing is located, so why not pay them a visit after you hit up Deft? The other two locations aren’t breweries, but one is owned by a brewer and the other is known for its extensive craft beer selection.
Oddish Wine
Like the name suggests, Oddish Wine is an urban winery in The Gärten that bucks tradition. They focus on small production, minimal intervention wines from organic vineyards.
Did I mention non-traditional? Aside from grape-based wines, Oddish coferments–or blends two or more fruits together in the fermenting process–to create flavors like sparkling blueberry wine. Other interesting, or oddish flavors, include agave spritz, tart cherry vermouth, and pineapple amaro.
Lost Cause Meadery
Right next to Oddish is Lost Cause, and it happens to share the same owners. It also happens to be one of the most award-winning meaderies around the globe.
The base sugar of mead is honey, but its flavors can range from ultra-sweet to bone-dry, so there is a flavor profile to suit most palates. The ABV for mead is on the higher side, ranging around 12-14%. Besides the accolades they’ve received for their mead, the bottles Lost Cause packages their mead in are nearly works of art themselves.
Some mead flavors to explore:
- Malum: A waterless cyser mead (just honey and fruit) made with apples, figs, dates, and raisins
- Banshee Part II: Cocos Nucifera: Decadent black currant and tart cherry mead loaded with toasted coconut
- Lemon Cello: A blend of orange blossom honey and Sorrento lemons for a complex, lemony flavor
O’Brien’s
Recently named the best beer bar in America by USA Today, O’Brien’s in Kearny Mesa combines the atmosphere of a well-loved dive bar with one of the most carefully curated craft beer selections around. The iconic pub has been around since 1994. Its co-owner, Tom Nickel, runs Nickel Beer Company in Julian.
O’Brien’s is never short of excitement, with year-round events, like the annual Russian River Brewing TION event, arguably the most popular. This is when they serve a lineup of Russian River brews that end in -tion, like Redemption, Beatification, as well as the iconic Pliny the Elder and Younger.
But any day of the week, you can choose from roughly 30 beers on tap, plus a full menu of food. And if you’re a soccer fan, O’Brien’s is the spot in the neighborhood to watch.
Balboa’s Tap House
Not a brewery and not owned by a brewer, nonetheless, Balboa’s Tap House in Clairemont has one of the largest craft beer selections in the neighborhood. This Clairemont pub features a rotating selection of craft beers, kombuchas, and seltzers from San Diego and beyond. You’ll find neighbor beers, like Societe and Harland, but also Karl Strauss, Stone Brewing, Latitude 33, and Pizza Port brews.
Balboa’s Tap House also has a full bar and Mediterranean-inspired menu.
The Options Are As Varied As Styles of Beer
Whichever brewery (or meadery) you decide to explore—or if you visit them all—you’ll discover flavors and atmospheres as varied as the different breweries. But one running theme you’ll find throughout each brewery is a passion for beer and for our great community. Prost!
