March 7, 2023
For the first time in eight years, San Diego will host the largest annual gathering of recreational brewers in the country, Homebrew Con, from June 22 to 24. With roughly 150 operating brewhouses and 200-plus brewery-owned venues, America’s Finest City is a fine locale for this beer-centric event, but those same stats render it challenging for out-of-towners to wrap their heads around the region when planning their imbibing itineraries.
To help attendees plan and ensure they visit breweries of exceptional repute and historical significance with beers matching their personal tastes, here’s an overview of the communities surrounding the convention site with vital information on breweries and tasting rooms in each. There’s truly something for every type of craft beer enthusiast in San Diego, so go forth and drink your fill (responsibly, of course)!
Near the Conference Venue
Homebrew Con host site, Town and Country Resort, is in Mission Valley West just off Interstate 8. That east-west freeway facilitates a quick two-mile trip east to Puesto Mission Valley, a Michelin-recognized brewpub helmed by the most revered lager expert in San Diego County, Doug Hasker. A Gordon Biersch expat with over two decades of experience, he has shifted his bottom-fermenting skill set to production of a kaleidoscope of Mexican-style lagers that pair exceptionally well with a menu of SoCal- and Mexico City-influenced tacos, enchiladas, and more. You won’t find a much more San Diego pairing than that! Or head a couple miles west to visit landmark Home Brew Mart, the 25-year-old homebrewing emporium that birthed Ballast Point Brewing. The store and its inventory of ingredients and apparatuses now give way to a bar serving a wide array of BP cores and seasonals, plus scads of small-batch creations covering a wealth of ale and lager styles, some of which are produced on-site.
From there, take a short walk to the off-the-beaten-path forger of English, Irish, German, and Belgian beers, Deft Brewing, a brewery that’s teamed with a meadery and winery to build a lovely outdoor space called The Gärten, offering entertainment several nights a week. Farther north is venerable Coronado Brewing’s main production facility with a kitchen-equipped indoor-outdoor taproom serving up largely West Coast-style ales, as well as a tasting room from “it” brewery Harland Brewing, the appeal of which is amped up by a comfy back patio. The latter offers an assortment of IPAs and lagers along with occasional pastry beers.
Coronado Brewing, 1205 Knoxville St; Deft Brewing, 5328 Banks St; Harland Brewing Bay Park, 4112 Napier St; Home Brew Mart, 5401 Linda Vista Rd; Puesto Mission Valley, 5010 Mission Center Rd.
A Slightly Longer Uber Ride
Clusters of breweries and tasting rooms are located throughout San Diego County, making it easy to get more bang for your rideshare buck. Here are three five-star communities worth the trip.
North Park
Regarded by many as…
