Vista Breweries: Craft Beer in North County San Diego
San Diego is well known for its sunshine & the sheer amount of breweries that freckle the county. North County San Diego has its fair share of breweries too, from Oceanside to Carlsbad to Escondido. But I know why you're here, you want to know about breweries in Vista, CA.
* This list is updated as of May 2023. Enjoy Vista beer country!
San Diego is not only one of the craft beer capitals of California, but one of the top ones in the country. There are so many local breweries & brewers that you can support. Due to Coronavirus, many of these breweries have outdoor patio, socially distanced options. Make a trip to San Diego, California, where the brewers are passionate about their craft & find yourself endless craft beer to sip on. There are plenty of unique things to do in North County San Diego, California. Depending on the craft brewery and what's available, you might also be able to buy delicious beer by the bottle or beer cans to go.
There are quite a few Vista breweries to check out. Due to the long journey of COVID, the breweries now usually include food or some sort of food credit or ticket. Many are opened back up for events and other good times. Some breweries are still in production whereas some have not made it through & others are new! Come on down, there is a decent number of things to do in Vista and of course loads of beers to try!
Related reading: Coffee Shops in Carlsbad, California
Breweries in Vista, CA
If you're in search of the most rated breweries in the city of Vista, California, Belching Beaver Brewery Tavern & Grill, Prohibition Brewing, Mother Earth Brewing Company, Belching Beaver Pub 980 have the most online reviews. These are the best local breweries in Vista! If a brewery has them, try to buy a gift card to give to friends, coworkers, or family, or just to use later for yourself! It's a great way to support local Vista breweries!
Related reading: Things to Do in Oceanside, California: Restaurants, Coffee Shops, What to See
Aztec Brewing Company
Aztec Brewing Company specializes in California style beers & good, local music. You could always count on them to have some groovy local bands or singers, although that has been postponed until further notice due to COVID. Some of their beers on tap consists of El Dorado (Aztec Blonde), Aztec Coffee Blonde (El Dorado Blonde with Mayan Blend Coffee), Macaroon (Nut Brown Ale with Coconut & Vanilla), Aztec Amber (Gold Ribbon Winner in 2014 & 2012), & Simrillo IPA (San Diego Style IPA). You can even get some cans to go.
Address: 2330 La Mirada Dr #300, Vista, CA 92081 United States
Website: Aztec Brewing
Phone: (800) 706-6324
BattleMage Brewing Company
Geeks rejoice, BattleMage is your cozy fortress. Some of their beers include the Divine Light w/ Cherry Light Ale 4.8% ABV, The Beer is Dark and Full of Terrors Milk Stout w/ toasted Cacao Nibs and Coffee 6.3% ABV, Hooded Assassin English Old Ale 10% ABV, Summon Ifrit American Amber Ale 6.1%, Shroud of Mist Hazy IPA 6.9%, Hopdouken West Coast IPA 7.7%. My personal favorite is Hopdouken! They recently updated their outdoor space with benches & heaters as well as a food vendor. Friendly team members, brewers, & service, great craft beer, good times. View the BattleMage website for a full brew list.
Address: 2870 Scott Street #102, Vista, CA 92081 United States
Website: BattleMage Brewing Company
Phone: (760) 216-6425
Beach Grease Beer Company * temporarily closed due to COVID
They may be temporarily closed but you can still shop online to support local. When open, peruse the hotrods as you sip on a West Coast style craft beer. Back when they were brand new, I went there with a couple friends & one of the beertender team members showed us around. Check out the Beach Grease Beer Company shop.
Address: 1280 Activity Dr, Vista, CA 92081
Website: Beach Grease Beer Company
Phone: (760) 295-7984
Related reading: Encinitas Coffee Shops: Searching for the Best Coffee in Town
Bear Roots Brewing Co.
There are a couple of Bear Roots Brewing Co. locations, one of which is in downtown Vista, California. Some of the beers on tap are Kolsch 45 Kölsch, Secret Garden American Pale Ale, Blitz Bar German Pilsner, American IPAs, & more. They also offer hard seltzer options such as Mango Apricot Seltzer or Pineapple Strawberry Seltzer. Bear Roots has inside/outside seating, pick up & delivery service through their website. They're dog friendly. The downtown location has an indoor area is woodsy & green with a welcoming feel. Their best seller is the Pineappless Express IPA. Wanna know a fun fact they told me? "We started off as a HomeBrew shop, and transformed into a local craft brewery. We still offer HomeBrew supplies."
Phone: (760) 726-4204
Bear Roots Brewing Downtown
Address: 135 E Broadway, Vista, CA 92084
Website: Bear Roots Brewing
Phone: (760) 726-4204
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| Belching Beaver Pub 980 Vista Breweries! |
Belching Beaver Brewery Tavern and Grill
Belching Beaver is another one of the highest-rated breweries in Vista since they've been around since 2012. They offer multiple locations with quality beers. The Brewery Tavern and Grill has an outdoor space with firepits & now with COVID there's a full-on outdoor area in the parking lot. Belching Beaver Pub 980 also has a popping outdoor area. Drinks encompass IPAs, Hazers Gonna Haze, Buenos Tiempos Mexican Lager, Blackberry/Raspberry Hard Seltzer, & more.
Address: 302 E Broadway, Vista, CA 92084
Phone: (760) 295-8599
Belching Beaver Pub 980
Address: 980 Park Center Dr Suite A, Vista, California 92081 United States
Website: Belching Beaver Pub 980
Phone: (760) 599-5832
Booze Brothers Brewing Co.
Booze Brothers Brewing Co. has a captivating indoor space with plants & wood that give it a homey, cabin vibe. Run by a pair of brothers, Booze Brothers has an eye for business & expansion; they offer The Wood Shed wedding venue, they've opened up a second brewery location in Oceanside, & their pizza joint, Pizza Bros. Their merch & beer can designs are eye-catching & witty. You can buy beers such as Penny Blonde Blonde Ale & 1-800-Tropics Hazy IPA online with more on the taplist at the brewery.
Address: 2545 Progress Street Suite D, Vista, CA 92081
Website: Booze Brothers Brewing Co.
Phone: (760) 295-0217
Dogleg Brewing Company
Beer buffs & golf groupies alike can find solace at Dogleg Brewing Company with their range of craft beers, putting green, golf simulator, TVs, & an outdoor patio. Dogleg has an epic outdoor area with lights, canopy, food, tables, you name it - perfect for social distancing away from fellow patrons. Some of the beers on tap are the Sunday Red red ale, Breakfast Ball chocolate milk stout, Persimmon Pilsner, Overlap Outlaw Hazy IPA. You can also buy their gift card!
Address: 1347 Keystone Way Suite A, Vista, CA 92081 United States
Website: Dogleg Brewing Company
Phone: (760) 295-0402
Ebullition Brew Works Tasting Room & Live Music Venue
Since the Vista Ebullition Brew Works location doesn't offer food options, the Ebullition Brew Works tasting room remains closed. You can order to-go & takeout beer at their Carlsbad location. You can also drink outside in the Ebullition Carlsbad location as they have a full food menu for the COVID-compliant mandates. You can find Double Hazy IPA, Hard Seltzer, Attaboy Irish Red Ale, & more on their tap list.
Address: 2449 Cades Way, Vista, CA 92081
Website: Ebullition Brew Works
Phone: (760) 842-1046
Eppig Brewing - North County Brewery & Bierhalle
Get beer to-go from Eppig's Vista brewery! Order in person or online if you want to go touchless. Eppig's open space feels warm & light, like a comfortable, familiar second home. The tasting room actually overlooks the brewhouse, so you might spot brewers in action. From the complex Schwarzbier German Black Lager to the light-bodied Hoppy Pils Dry Hopped Pilsner, you can find barleywine, sours, stouts, ales, & other crafty delights at Eppig Brewing.
Address: 1347 Keystone Way C, Vista, California 92081 United States
Website: Eppig Brewing - North County Brewery & Bierhalle
Phone: (760) 295-2009
Five Suits Brewing
Five Suits Brewing address might seem familiar as they're based in the former location of Barrel Harbor Brewing. All seating is outdoors for COVID & they have quite a large setup with table, chairs, television, & a covered canopy tent if you want to stay out of the rain or shine. Al Toque Peruvian Kitchen comes in for food, so you can order at the table; the yucca frita was delicious. Five Suits draft list consists of Follow Suit West Coast IPA 7.3% ABV, Pit BOS Hefeweizen 5.5% ABV, Cover You Snout Stout 6.7% ABV, & more.
Address: 2575 Pioneer Ave STE 104, Vista, CA 92081
Website: Five Suits Brewing
Phone: (760) 278-3483
Guadalupe Brewery Tap House
Although the beer itself is born & brewed in Carlsbad, the tasting room lives in Vista. Hecho en Carlsbad, tomado en Vista. (Made in Carlsbad, Tasted in Vista.) It all started when the owner started brewing beers in Valle de Guadalupe, known as Mexico's wine country. I actually visited El Cielo Winery Resort on Ruta del Vino Valle de Guadalupe & it's a beautiful place. They ended up brewing again in North County & Guadalupe Brewery was born.
Address: 631 S Santa Fe Ave, Vista, CA 92083 United States
Website: Guadalupe Brewery Tap House
Phone: (740) 302-3377
Helia Brewing Company
Get a taste of Southern California craft beer at Helia Brewing Company with their mix of ales, pilsners, and lagers. The cheerful tasting room includes vibrant art, spacious & open ceilings, as well as ample indoor & outdoor seating to enjoy your brew. Perfect to savor one of those magnificent North County afternoons where the temperature is just right. Beers on the menu include Helia IPA, Helia Happy Pale Ale, Layers of Love DIPA, Helia Porter, Hazy Jae IPA, & much more. You can order for pick-up at the tasting room or order to get delivered to your house.
Address: 1250 Keystone Way, Vista, CA 92081
Website: Helia Brewing Company
Phone: (760) 216-6023
Mother Earth Brew Co.
The Downtown Mother Earth Brew Co. Vista Tap House is closed, but they're open for to-go orders out of their Mother Earth Thibodo Road Brewery in Vista three days per week. Browse your map app to make sure you're in the right spot located in Shadowridge Business Center. Mother Earth Vista offers Cali Creamin' Vanilla Cream Ale is one of their flagship beers with a cream soda bang. There's Hop Diggity Double IPA, Boo Koo IPA, Sin Tax Imperial Peanut Butter Stout, & more goodies available to order online or pick up at the Thibodo taproom.
Address: 2055 Thibodo Rd Suite E, Vista, California 92081 United States
Website: Mother Earth Brew Co.
Phone: (760) 295-3074
Prohibition Brewing Company
Founded in 2011, Prohibition Brewing Company is one of Vista's older breweries. The family-owned craft brewery serves craft beers with an extensive food menu filled with appetizers like fried avocado, soups, salad, burgers, & other specials & desserts along the way. Buy pints, 22 oz Bottles, Growlers, & Kegs from Prohibition's brew list including Derringer IIPA 8.6% ABV, St. Valentine Blood Orange IPA 7.6% ABV, Coconut Blonde 5.7% ABV, & more.
Address: 2004 E Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084
Website: Prohibition Brewing Company
Phone: (760) 295-3525
Wavelength Brewing Company
Wavelength Brewing Company has prime real estate on the continuously buzzing downtown Main Street, near what was once Mother Earth Brewing Company prior to COVID. Wavelength mixes beer in an environment that welcomes education in science, engineering, technology, & math. I walked by one night & they had a telescope out to watch the moon phenomena that was occurring at the time. Their tap list includes White Walker 5.9% ABV Witbier, Subsonic 5.5% ABV Kolsch, Hop Squanch 6.7% ABV Juicy IPA, & more. Nice spot to visit if you're in downtown Vista craft brewery hopping.
Address: 236 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084
Website: Wavelength Brewing Company
Phone: (760) 820-9283
WestBrew Brewery
WestBrew is a newer craft brewery in Vista, California. They have a solid outdoor set up in the back parking lot area with plenty of room to sip your beer & stay distanced from others. Get a brew & something to eat from their food-stocked fridge with sandwiches & other things to grub on. Stay a while as you view the place, taking in the art & open ceilings. They have beers such as the Hazy by the Sea New England Style IPA & the WestBrew Blonde American Blonde Ale.
Address: 1061 La Mirada Ct, Vista, CA 92081 United States
Website: WestBrew Brewery
Phone: (858) 412-4226
Distilleries: Misadventure & Company, 117 West Spirits, Henebery Spirits
The city of Vista is located in North County San Diego. The search for another craft brewery just got easier because I covered all the Vista breweries that exist (unless something has opened or closed in the meantime). Experience the beer, food, & views that San Diego has to offer. You will find an impressive list of beers on tap so please any taste. From family-owned businesses to buzzing hotspots, there always seems to a new business in the city of Vista!
Click here to visit the City of Vista, CA website.
Click here to visit the Downtown Vista CA website.
Thank you for reading; I hope you found a beer or brewery for you!
A Mini Guide to Tijuana's Breweries, Craft Beer, & Tasting Rooms
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| Cheers from Tres Fuegos Cervecería! |
Watch out for the growing craft beer scene in Tijuana, a border city in Mexico, just south of San Diego. Craft beers range in price, but cost around $4 on average, a bargain to the $7+ craft beers of San Diego. I checked out a few local breweries during my Tijuana travels. Here are my findings!
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| The flight board from Donkey Punch Brewing Co. |
Donkey Punch Brewing Co.
Located on Paseo de los Héroes, Donkey Punch offers a good range of beers like blonde ale, imperial stout, or coffee porter. They have a flight board in the shape of a donkey ear - pretty cool!Border Psycho Brewery
Try the Imperial Psycho Ale or La Perversa (double IPA). Better yet, order a flight. Take a peek at their tap handles while you're at it. Spoiler alert: they're dildos.Cervecería Insurgente Tap Room
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| A recently revamped Pasaje Rodríguez |
Mamut Brewery Co.
Don't miss Mamut Brewery Co. inside Pasaje Rodríguez, an arts & culture alleyway. Pasaje Rodríguez used to be an arcade for tourists in the 1950s but relaunched in 2010. Mamut offers India Pale Ales, stout, amber, & more. |
| A look at Teorema/Lúdica Co. Tasting Room |
Teorema/Lúdica Co. Tasting Room
This sleek tasting room allows you to sip inside or people-watch Avenida Revolución from the patio. I loved the minimalist look & convenient location to downtown Tijuana.Tres Fuegos Cervecería
Browse the murals & art throughout the brewery, then grab a table near the balcony. They usually have three house-brewed beers, with the rest being guest. We stopped by for a pint one night but they invited me back to taste some of their vegetarian cuisine options. A yummy bonus!Vibra Tap Room
Stop by Vibra if you enjoy unique flavors like the Hu La La... (peanut butter cinnamon milk porter) or Aloha (fruit beer with tangerine & peach), among others. Grab your beer & head to the second story balcony to enjoy the view/sunset/nightlife.
By the time you're done reading this, another brewery popped up in Tijuana, Mexico! Tijuana's craft beer scene continues to grow, so what are you waiting for? Pack your passport & get hopped up on North Baja California's breweries & taprooms. See you there. Cheers! ¡Salud!
How to Eat on a Budget While Traveling Abroad
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| Mercat de la Boqueria - Barcelona, Spain |
Do your research
If you have some sort of Internet access look online to see what food is out there. You can check out Yelp, browse reviews, & search for affordable options in your area. There's no way that you could possibly know all the restaurants & cafes yourself, so to do a little bit of research & narrow it down. Be sure to consider the pricing, portion size, & distance from your current location.Understand tipping
Tipping practices vary per country. Some don't require or expect tips at all. Some include tips into your check. Make sure you learn & understand how it works. Over time, you'll save a pretty penny if you know the tipping culture.
Go to a grocery store
Heading to local grocery stores is one of my favorite things about traveling. I will never forget Albert Heijn, a Dutch supermarket. You have no idea how many times I went into that store to buy delicious juice, cheese croissants, & lentil avocado salad. Their prices were cheap & made for the perfect picnic. Grocery stores & markets are the way to go because you get to grab something to-go or make, cook, & assemble your own meals. You can also buy coffee or tea bags to save you from picking up one every morning.Pack your lunch
You're out & about all day exploring the city & its many wonders. Save some cash by bringing lunch with you. It's just like the old days in elementary school; packing your lunch will keep your cost down. The fun challenge is finding a lovely place to eat your lunch. Picnics are everything when traveling abroad! I'll never forget the quaint garden lunch at a picnic table in Copenhagen or the lovely lakeside picnic in Amsterdam. Those packed picnic lunches were some of my favorite memories from traveling abroad.
Eat before you're super hungry
I admit I made this mistake many times. Learn from my mistakes. In order to save money while you're traveling the world, eat before you're super hungry. If you're about to faint from hunger you'll likely visit the first place you see regardless of its price. That doesn't really help if you're on a budget. Be sure to get some food before you're starving.Have a snack on hand
This kind of goes hand in hand with the above tip. Always always always have a snack with you. Keep it in your purse, your backpack, your fanny pack or pocket if you have to. If you have a snack with you you won't immediately be tempted to lunge at the first sight of food. A banana, cup of cereal, or mixed nuts ought to do the trick.
Ask a local
Engage with the locals & inquire about their favorite restaurant, cafe, or underrated eatery. Ask about budget-friendly options in the neighborhood. Locals know a hell of a lot more about the city than you do. Take their advice & run with it. You have no idea how many times asking a local about something totally enhanced my overall experience.Eat at the hotel
If you're at a hotel, motel, hostel, Airbnb that includes a meal, take advantage of it. In Paris, my mom, sister, & I ate breakfast every day at the hostel. That saved us about €10 per person per day. You can buy souvenirs, macarons, museum tickets, or what have you with that money. The more cash you save by eating on a budget when you travel abroad leaves more room for other options.
Use a kitchen
Does your hotel or Airbnb have a kitchen? Take advantage of it. Cook your meals at home. We all know this is one of the best ways to eat on a budget in general. As a broke college student, I took pride in being able to scrummage up food with whatever I had in the house. You can obviously supplement that by going to the grocery store.Refill your water bottle
In some countries, you have to pay for water at the restaurant or they may not give you any at all. I remember sitting down for lunch in Denmark & specifically asking for tap water only to find out that they charged for it. Lesson learned. Buy a water bottle & refill it. You'll save a lot of money on water alone.Drink outside
Europe is pretty chill about drinking outside or in public. Stop by the store & pick up a bottle of wine, some beer, even juices rather than buying them at a restaurant at a markup. I spent €6 on a beer at a restaurant. Then I got wise & bought an even larger beer at the market for about €2. Do a little research on the laws about drinking in public in your country.Go to the Market
I always like to visit the farmer's market wherever I may roam. Whether I unintentionally happen upon one in Milan, Italy or perhaps a very purposeful promenade through Mercat de la Boqueria in Barcelona, Spain. Markets & farmer's markets tend to have almost a wholesale price for produce, veggies, & other goodies. Plus, they're as fresh as can be.
Sweat, Soul and Scabs: the Skate Culture
Then there’s Oregon native Kevin Kowalski, 20, who embodies the skate lifestyle. His eyes shine a bright blue. His fair skin freckled with tattoos. He speaks in a soft and calm voice. Kowalski’s been skating for 10 years. “Maybe longer,” he said. He tries to skate whenever possible, but it rains a lot in Oregon. “It makes you really appreciate just getting a nice dry day to go outside and skate.”
Even after spending 12 years grinding on griptape, Evan Mutter, 22, from Azusa, Calif. still gets a thrill being on a board.
Mutter himself digs partying and mingling, kicking back brewskis. Occasionally, he smokes weed or partakes in psychedelics like mushrooms. “Some people can do them and not go down the rabbit hole, but some get sucked in and quit skating and change.”
Not all skaters get fulfilment from their passion, some are lucky. Kowalski is sponsored by Lifeblood Skateboards, based in Portland. Being sponsored means he gets free merchandise from the respective companies. But this also means he’s a busy dude. Kowalski scored second place at the Palmdale Pool Project, a desert pool skate competition April 28. May 2 to 7 he traversed to Varazze, Italy to attend and compete at the Vans Off The Wall Spring Classic. Then it’s off to Pro-Tec Pool Party on May 12.
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