San Diego bills itself as the Napa Valley of Craft Beer, and the epithet is well-deserved. The metropolitan area boasts more than 70 craft breweries, many of which have garnered multiple awards at international brewing competitions. From breweries with tours and tastings, to gastropubs, to special events like the BEERology exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Man through summer 2014, there are infinite opportunities for groups to sample the suds.
Karl Strauss Brewing Company, the oldest beer maker in town, opened a new 5,000-square-foot tasting room in the Pacific Beach neighborhood in August 2013. The indoor space, which has windows overlooking the bottling line and quality control laboratory, features 20 different varieties of beer on tap along with weekly specials and exclusive releases. There is also a barrel-aging room and outdoor beer garden. For group events, the brewery can host a selection of food trucks. Check out Karl Strauss’ seven other locations around the region, too; all offer private rooms, semi-private space or buyouts.
Stone Brewing Co. is one of the fastest-growing breweries in the U.S. Its commitment to quality extends to growing its own ingredients at Stone Farms, its nearby 19-acre farm. A visit to Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido is ripe with the sort of attitude you would expect from the brewers of Arrogant Bastard Ale. For example, the guides who lead groups as large as 35 through a tour and then a tasting are known as Indoctrination Specialists. Private tours are available on weekdays only. The bistro seats 425 and boasts a one-acre beer garden. Special event themes include beer and food pairings and farm-to-table dinners. Stone Brewing Co. also has a location in Liberty Station.
For groups that want to sample a wide variety of locally made brew, Brewery Tours of San Diego makes it easy. Choose up to four locations from among 30 breweries and 10 great beer bars, and the company will provide roundtrip transportation and knowledgeable guides. Meeting space can be included upon request.
