San Diego County has long been known as the “Capital of Craft” — and 13 local breweries flexed their sudsy skills by winning big at the 2022 World Beer Cup, dubbed the “most prestigious beer competition in the world.”
The Brewers Association’s international competition was fierce: 2,500 breweries from 57 countries went head-to-head showcasing 10,000+ beers. But our city’s craft brewers did us proud, bringing home a combined 17 medals. Let’s toast to the winner’s circle.
🥇 Gold medals
🍻 North Park Beer Co. | Hop-Fu! | American-style IPA
The brewery says this beer — with its instantly recognizable can art — is “the very reason” North Park Beer Co. came to be. Hop-Fu! beat 384 entries to win, a victory the brewery has been chasing since it opened. Get it on tap: 3038 University Ave.
North Park Beer Co. bringing home the gold in the “Olympics of beer competitions.” | Photo via @JennyMannPhotos
🍻 AleSmith Brewing Co. | Wee Heavy | Scotch-style ale
The brewery is still buzzing with excitement over the huge win.The pretty purple cans are currently sold out, but you can visit the Miramar tasting room at 9990 AleSmith Ct. to get it on tap + in crowler pours.
AleSmith’s small batch brew was destined for big things. | Photo via @AleSmithBrewing
🍻 Pizza Port Bressi Ranch | Dieguito | American-style pilsener
This beer won gold — and Pizza Port Brewing Co. didn’t stop there. The brewery won two silver medals: One for Locals Only, an international pale ale brewed in Carlsbad + the other for Cruisin’, an American-style pale ale also out of Bressi Ranch. The Ocean Beach location won bronze for its Belgian-style tablebier/session ale, Guillaume. If you’re keeping tabs, that’s a whopping four medals for this brewery alone. Or, really five, because the San Clemente-based Pizza Port won gold for its coffee stout, Dusk ‘til Dawn.
🍻 Ballast Point Brewing: Little Italy | Schlenkerlish | Smoked beer
This brew is a Bamberg-style amber/brown beechwood-smoked lager — and you can find it on tap at the tasting room + restaurant at 2215 India St.
AleSmith, gold sure looks good on you. AleSmith’s small batch brew was destined for big things. | Photo via @AleSmithBrewing
Here are 10 more reasons for local craft beer enthusiasts to raise a glass.
🥈 Silver medals
🍻 SouthNorte Beer Co. | Agavemente | Specialty beer | Chula Vista
🍻 Kilowatt Brewing | OB Bubble Dubbel | Belgian-style Abbey ale | Kearny Mesa
🍻 Burgeon Beer Co. | Invita | International light lager | Carlsbad
🍻 Pure Project Brewing | Houblon Deluxe | Hazy or juicy imperial IPA | Vista
SouthNorte Beer Co.’s Agavamente (the red can) took home a silver. | Photo via @southnorte
🥉 Bronze medals
🍻 Karl Strauss Brewing Company | Aurora Hoppyalis IPA | American-style IPA | Pacific Beach
🍻 Craft Coast Beer & Tacos | Oscura | International pilsener or lager | Oceanside
🍻 The Lost Abbey | King of Tyre | Old ale or strong ale | San Marcos
🍻 Craft Coast Beer & Tacos | Shootz Mahalo | Juicy or hazy strong pale ale | Oceanside
🍻 Kings & Convicts Brewing | Haze in the Park | Juicy or hazy pale ale | Miramar
🍻 Attitude Brewing Co. | Pils Bitte | Kellerbier or zwickelbier | Barrio Logan
The so-called “Olympics of beer competitions” is held on alternating years — but it hadn’t gone down since 2018 due to the pandemic. Four years ago, local breweries won seven medals. This is progress, people.
According to the San Diego Brewers Guild, our city is currently home to 150+ small, craft breweries — and the community is always growing. Known for collaboration and innovation, craft brewers are truly the heart of an industry now synonymous with America’s Finest City.
