Midnight Beer Runs In San Diego

San Diego is known for its vibrant craft beer scene, with over 140 breweries, countless beer bars, and innovative tasting rooms. 30th Street, in particular, is hailed as Beer Street, offering visitors a diverse range of craft beer experiences. However, California has strict laws regulating the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. It is illegal to sell, deliver, or purchase alcohol between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., and violators are guilty of a misdemeanor. With that in mind, where can you buy beers after midnight in San Diego?

Beer-friendly restaurants and breweries on 30th Street

San Diego's 30th Street, which runs through the neighbourhoods of Normal Heights, North Park, and South Park, is known for its prominent craft beer culture. It is home to some of the city's best craft beer bars, beer-friendly restaurants, and breweries with tasting rooms.

• Fall Brewing Company: This spacious tasting room has shiny fermentation tanks on display, plenty of seating, and a nice selection of beers, including the Plenty For All Pilsner, Green Hat IPA, and Coffee Stout (2AM Bike Ride).
• Original 40 Brewing Co.: Located on University Avenue, a few blocks east of 30th Street, this brewery and restaurant offer a range of beers, from the session-y Tell Me Mo', a West Coast pale ale, to various IPAs, and Unique Physique, a 12% ABV coconut-and-coffee concoction.
• Poor House Brewing Company: Poor House uses a nano 1-barrel system to brew beers for the local community. Their popular offerings include the 30 Hop IPA and the Belgian Quad with an ABV of 18.5%.
• Belching Beaver Tasting Room: This small but popular outpost of the Belching Beaver Brewery offers a variety of brews, including nitro selections, seasonal specials, and their famous Peanut Butter Milk Stout.
• Rip Current Brewery Outpost: This airy and comfortable brewery outpost showcases the creations of two nationally recognised home brewers, with a focus on IPAs (Lupulin Lust) and malty beers like Barrier Reef Nut Brown.
• Second Chance Beer Lounge: With a laid-back atmosphere and couches, Second Chance Beer Lounge offers beers from Second Chance Beer Co., a local favourite located a few miles north. They have year-round options like Seize the IPA and Tabula Rasa porter, as well as seasonal and Lounge-exclusive beers.
• Mike Hess Brewing: Located on Grim Avenue, just a short detour from 30th Street, Mike Hess Brewing offers a well-designed, spacious tasting room above the fermentation tanks. They have a nice selection of beers, including unique styles such as Grazias Vienna Cream Ale, Umbrix Rye Imperial Stout, and the award-winning Claritas Kölsch.
• Bottlecraft North Park: Bottlecraft offers an impressive collection of craft beers and cheese. You can pick from hundreds of cheeses, charcuterie, paninis, chocolates, and other artisan goodies to pair with your pint or bottled beer.
• Modern Times Flavordome: Step into the Flavordome to admire the decor and sample beers from 16 taps, including Modern Times' core and unique offerings, as well as variations and pilot batches. You can bring in food or have it delivered from nearby restaurants.
• Rouleur Brewing Company: Located on University Avenue, Rouleur combines Old World traditions with new brewing approaches. They offer unusual flavour profiles with cycling-inspired names like the ENDO West Coast IPA and the BONKEUR Mosaic Pale Ale.
• Seek: North Park's newest brewery and taproom, Seek, aims to be a family- and dog-friendly neighbourhood gathering place. They host events like bingo and local charity benefit nights and welcome food trucks and vendors for a complete brew and bite experience.
• Thorn Street Brewery: Located a few blocks east of 30th Street, this small, residential brewery is one of San Diego's true neighbourhood breweries. They offer a variety of malt-forward and Belgian-style beers, with their most popular being the smooth and drinkable Barrio Lager (Baja-Style Lager).

So, if you're looking to explore the beer-friendly destinations along San Diego's 30th Street, these spots will surely provide a diverse and enjoyable craft beer experience.

Breweries in San Diego with TripAdvisor recommendations

San Diego has a lot to offer when it comes to craft beer and breweries. Here is a list of some of the top-rated breweries in San Diego, as recommended by TripAdvisor:

Green Flash Brewing Company:

With a great location near the water and boats, Green Flash Brewing Company offers a cool atmosphere and a variety of beers to enjoy. Their anniversary ale is definitely worth a try!

AleSmith Brewing Company:

AleSmith is a well-known and award-winning brewery, famous for its Speedway Stout. Their mammoth tasting room and brewery are a must-visit for beer lovers. Don't forget to check out the Tony Gwynn museum and their hidden speakeasy, Anvil & Stave.

White Labs Tasting Room:

White Labs Tasting Room is a great spot for craft beer lovers, offering a variety of beers and delicious food. Their knowledgeable staff will happily guide you through their unique selections. Don't miss out on their sliders and bacon jam!

Belching Beaver North Park:

With multiple locations in San Diego, Belching Beaver is a fun and family-friendly brewery. They offer a wide range of beers, including their famous peanut butter stout and unique creations like the Surprise Pancakes, an imperial stout with maple syrup and coffee.

Stone Brewing Tap Room - Kettner:

Stone Brewing Tap Room provides a relaxing courtyard setting and an excellent selection of beers. It's a great spot for flights or a glass of beer.

Modern Times Beer:

Modern Times Beer offers a hipster vibe and a wide variety of beers, including strong beers and IPAs. While they don't serve food, there's a burger place next door to pair your beer with a bite.

Mike Hess Brewing:

Mike Hess Brewing provides a cozy tasting area and an impressive collection of craft beers. They also offer a wide variety of cheeses, charcuterie, paninis, and other artisan goodies to enjoy with your drink.

Fall Brewing Company:

Fall Brewing Company has two locations in Mid City, welcoming beer lovers of all kinds. They offer a simple interior, a dog-friendly environment, and a great selection of IPAs and stouts.

Duck Foot Brewing Company:

Duck Foot Brewing Company provides a cool and friendly atmosphere with a good selection of beers. Their Good Regular Hazy IPA is a popular choice.

Societe Brewing Company:

Societe Brewing Company offers a fantastic atmosphere and a great craft beer variety. It's a perfect spot to spend an afternoon with friends.

San Diego's 30th Street, running through Normal Heights, North Park, and South Park, is also known as Beer Street. It's home to some of the city's best craft beer bars, restaurants, and breweries. You can find tasting rooms, such as Fall Brewing Company and Belching Beaver, along with other notable spots like Original 40 Brewing Co. and Poor House Brewing Company.

San Diego's best craft-beer boulevard

San Diego is a haven for beer lovers, with its celebrated beer scene, diverse craft beers, and countless breweries, bars, and tasting rooms. If you're looking for a vibrant craft beer boulevard, look no further than 30th Street, which runs through the neighbourhoods of Normal Heights, North Park, and South Park. Here's why 30th Street is dubbed "Beer Street" and considered one of San Diego's best craft beer destinations:

A Variety of Options

30th Street offers a little bit of everything when it comes to craft beer. You'll find some of the city's top craft beer bars, beer-friendly restaurants, and a handful of breweries and tasting rooms. This concentration of establishments makes it the perfect spot to sample a wide range of beers without travelling all over the county.

Notable Establishments

The Fall Brewing Company, located at 4542 30th Street, features a spacious and comfortable tasting room with shiny fermentation tanks on display. They offer a nice selection of crisp, clean, and well-balanced beers, including the Plenty For All Pilsner, Green Hat IPA, and the Coffee Stout (2AM Bike Ride).

Original 40 Brewing Co., found on University Avenue just off 30th Street, is a brewery and restaurant with a unique space and a wide range of beers. Their offerings include the Tell Me Mo', a West Coast pale ale, a host of IPAs, and the Unique Physique, a coconut-and-coffee concoction with a 12% ABV.

Poor House Brewing Company, at 4494 30th Street, serves the local community with a nano 1-barrel system. Their popular offerings include the 30 Hop IPA and the Belgian Quad, a strong brew with an ABV of 18.5%.

Belching Beaver Tasting Room, situated at 4223 30th Street, is a small but welcoming space with plenty of seating and counters that open onto the street. They offer a variety of beers, including nitro selections, seasonal specials, and their fan-favourite Peanut Butter Milk Stout.

Second Chance Beer Lounge, at 4045 30th Street, provides a relaxed atmosphere with couches and beers from Second Chance Beer Co., a local favourite. They offer year-round options like Seize the IPA and Tabula Rasa porter, as well as seasonal and Lounge-exclusive beers.

Accessibility and Transportation

While 30th Street may not be the most car-friendly area, with parking being a challenge, it is easily accessible by other means. Walking is a great option, and bikes are another excellent choice for those who want to explore the full length of the street. Additionally, the city's No. 2 bus is the best choice for those who want to hop on and off at various spots along 30th Street. For $7, you can get a day pass that allows unlimited access, so you can spend more time enjoying the beers and less time worrying about transportation.

Alcohol purchasing laws in California

California has a dynamic and important market for alcohol, with the state being the largest in the US and the top state in beverage alcohol consumption. The sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages are handled by private entities but regulated by state legislators. The California State Department Of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) oversees the state's alcohol market and is responsible for licensing, tax collection, fee collection, and enforcing the state's laws and regulations.

The legal drinking age in California is 21. It is illegal to sell alcohol between 2 am and 6 am, and it is also unlawful to purchase alcohol during these hours.

There are various licensed locations where alcohol can be purchased for on-premise consumption, including restaurants, bars, taverns, nightclubs, veteran's clubs, licensed trains, boats, and airlines. Alcohol can also be purchased for on-premise consumption in hospitals, convalescent homes, rest homes, nonprofit theatres, and bed and breakfast inns.

For off-premise consumption, alcohol can be purchased at any business location with a license to sell alcoholic beverages, provided they are sold in packages made by the manufacturers. This includes grocery stores and gas stations, although there are marketing restrictions for gas stations.

California allows direct-to-consumer shipping for wine, but shipping beer and liquor is prohibited.

The state has a general sales tax of 6% for all alcohol purchases, and vendors selling liquor are subject to a state and federal excise tax.

San Diego's annual beer festival

San Diego has a reputation for its vibrant craft beer scene, with numerous breweries, tasting rooms, and beer-friendly restaurants. The city's annual beer festival is a testament to this, offering enthusiasts an opportunity to indulge in a diverse range of brews.

The San Diego Brew Festival is a highly anticipated event that attracts beer lovers from all over. This year, the festival will be held on the 11th of January at NTC Park in Liberty Station, marking its 14th edition. With over 70 breweries participating, attendees can expect a vast selection of unique beers to sample. The event will also feature food trucks, cover bands, and lawn games, ensuring a fun-filled day for all.

General Admission tickets are priced at $50, granting access from 1pm to 4pm, with unlimited samples from the breweries, live music, and access to food trucks. For those eager to get an early start, an Early Admission ticket priced at $65 allows entry from noon to 4pm, including all the benefits of General Admission, plus an extra hour to enjoy specialty beers.

In addition to the annual brew festival, San Diego offers a variety of other beer-centric experiences throughout the year. 30th Street, dubbed "Beer Street", is renowned for its concentration of craft beer bars, breweries, and tasting rooms. North County's Highway 78, also known as the "Hops Highway", boasts a significant number of breweries along the corridor between Escondido and Oceanside. Whether you're a local or a visitor, San Diego's beer scene provides ample opportunities to explore and indulge in the world of craft beer.

Frequently asked questions