Best New Breweries in San Diego

Rip Current Brewing

Hop heads will love the Curl IPA, with 10.3% ABV and strong citrus, tropical fruits, and pine aromas.

Printed IssueSubscribe and get 1 year for $18

Modern Times Beer

Try Fortunate Islands, a wheat beer brewed with West Coast hops. Its citrus and tropical notes are a great choice for warm summer nights.

Modern Times Beer

Modern Times Beer | Photo by Luis Garcia

Nickel Beer Co.

It’s great to see Tom Nickel (owner of O’Briens Pub) back in the brewing game. His beers are exceptional. Try Stonewall Stout, a classic English stout with coffee, chocolate, and vanilla notes.

Saint Archer Brewing Co.

Their connection to the extreme sports community is sure to convert a whole new wave of craft beer aficionados. Try the Pale Ale, a hop-forward California-style pale.

Amplified Ale Works

The in-house craft brewery of California Kebab & Beer Gardens has some delicious food and equally delicious beers. Rare Form, a Belgian quad with notes of fig, plum, raisin, and brown sugar, is the perfect nightcap.

Benchmark Brewing Company

Their Feisty Fleur, with its Belgian esters and light candy sugar notes, is a spot-on representation of a traditional Belgian tripel.

Culture Brewing Co.

The American strong ale clocks in at 7.7% ABV and 100 international bitterness units (IBUs).