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If you love traveling, eating good food, and tasting delicious brewed beers, Carlsbad City, also known as “The Village by the Sea,” is a great place to visit! The city is home to many excellent restaurants that serve delicious and top-rated dishes. On top of these, you’ll find many award-winning brewing companies offering excellent local craft beers.
In Carlsbad, you will see signs leading you to the city’s most outstanding breweries and restaurants. The natural smell from freshly brewed beers will welcome you when you have a quick tour of these awesome breweries. So come on and join the journey of knowing the best brewing companies in Carlsbad, CA.
1. Pure Project Brewing
If you are a nature-lover and beer enthusiast, Pure Project will capture your heart! The company loves the environment and crafts quality beers using organic ingredients. Another thing that makes Pure Project unique is they donate 1% of their sales to environmental non-profit organizations, helping to save mother earth. Isn’t it great to know that while you’re enjoying a beer, you are also contributing to the company’s good cause?
Pure Project is also a promising brewery that gained recognition and awards from the San Diego Beer News, such as the Best Expansion Project, Best Brewery – North Region, and 3rd Best Packaging Designs awards.
- Crowd Favorite: Formless Reflections. An aromatic, fruity, and hoppy IPA with 6.9% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Rove. 4.2% ABV.
- Hop-py Note: Dog-friendly. Beer slushies every weekend.
- Fun Fact: The company’s name was based on its concept of using only pure, fresh, and local ingredients for their craft beers and food.
Hours: Open Mon & Tues 3pm – 9pm, Wed & Thur 12pm – 10pm, Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm, Sun 11am – 9pm.
Address: 2825 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Contact: (760) 278-7550 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
2. Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Karl Strauss Brewing Company is one of the best and is the oldest brewery in San Diego. The company made it to the “Top 50 U.S. Craft Brewing Companies” in 2018, which already tells you that you can have a great-tasting beer here. Although the company was initially a microbrewery, they have started building brewpubs in different areas in California, where they directly serve brewed beers and gourmet dishes to customers.
Karl Strauss Brewing Company is also a great place to hang out because they release limited collaboration beers annually and organize fun events.
- Crowd Favorite: Red Trolley Ale. An Irish Style Red Ale with 5.8% ABV, a certified crowd favorite for years.
- Highly Recommended: When Worlds Collide Grapefruit Hibiscus IPA
- Hop-py Note: Dogs are allowed. You can take your children with you.
- Fun Fact: The brewery was named after Karl Strauss, cousin of Chris (CEO) and the Master Brewers Association president in the early 1960s.
Hours: Open Mon 11am – 8pm, Tues – Thur 7:30am – 9pm, Fri & Sat 7:30am – 10pm, Sun 7:30am – 9pm.
Address: 5801 Armada Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Contact: (760)-431-2739 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
3. Burgeon Beer Company
Burgeon Beer Company offers a range of fun and must-try beer selections! They collaborate with famous brewing companies like Karl Strauss and Ghost Town Brewing, to produce outstanding and unique beverages. What makes Burgeon a fun company is that they put effort into designing their cans, where you can see detailed and clean graphics.
You can also trust Burgeon that they will never disappoint you with their brewed beer as they won the Best Brewery in San Diego last year, 2021. Your beer-enthusiastic self will surely love the variety of their unique crafted beers.
- Crowd Favorite: Treevana with 7.2% ABV. Won the West Coast IPA Beer Style awards.
- Highly Recommended: Eternal Growth Hazy IPA
- Hop-py Note: Food trucks on-site. They offer the Greenhouse, available for private events. Dog-friendly.
Hours: Open Mon & Tues 3pm – 7pm, Wed & Thur 3pm – 8pm, Fri 2pm – 9pm, Sat 12pm – 8pm, Sun 12pm – 6pm.
Address: 6350 Yarrow Dr Suite C, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Contact: (760) 814-2548 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. Arcana Brewing Company
If you enjoy a laid-back, calm, and peaceful vibe, Arcana is the best brewpub for you. You’ll find exceptional varieties of brewed craft beers here, all on tap or bottled. Though people under 21 can’t go inside, your furry friends can if they are on a leash. You can also join their mug club to enjoy special benefits, such as drinking on a detailed and well-designed mug (which will undoubtedly make you enjoy your drink even more).
- Crowd Favorite: Voyager English Ale 6.0 % ABV. This is the most ordered and the oldest beer at Arcana, with malty and fruity flavor, classic English ale.
- Highly Recommended: Caramel Craving Bochet Braggot
- Hop-py Note: Many food trucks offering good food are available outside.
Hours: Open Mon 3pm – 8pm, Thur & Fri 3pm – 8pm, Sat 1pm – 8pm, Sun 1pm – 6pm, Tues & Wed Closed.
Address: 5621 Palmer Way suite c, Carlsbad, CA 92010
Contact: (909) 529-2337 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
5. Rouleur Brewing Company
If you like experimenting with different types of brewed beers, Rouleur will entertain you. Rouleur is a top-tier brewery that creates magical and unique mixes to produce hybrid beers.
What also differentiates Rouleur from other breweries is they craft well-balanced beers. They make sure that whether you prefer IPA or Belgian, you will get the beer that you like! You can additionally look forward to their collaboration with other breweries and enjoy their exclusive beer releases.
- Crowd Favorite: DOPEUR Juicy IPA. An aromatic, bittersweet, and juicy beer with 6.6% ABV that everyone loves.
- Highly Recommended: ENDO West Coast IPA
- Hop-py Note: They organize events for local cyclists. Food trucks on site.
- Fun Fact: Rouleur is a French word that means having wheels, just like a roller.
Hours: Open Mon & Tues 4pm – 8pm, Wed & Thur 3pm – 9pm, Fri 3pm – 10pm, Sat 12pm – 10pm, Sun 12pm – 7pm.
Address: 5840 El Camino Real #101, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Contact: (442) 244-5111 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
6. Culver Beer Co.
When thinking about a brewing company, you may imagine a dull-looking room filled with old barrels. However, that is not the case with Culver Beer Co. The company offers visitors a lively, fun, and relaxed environment. When you visit their place, you’ll enjoy freshly brewed draft beers, delicious sandwiches from their delicatessen, and a variety of pinball machines and board games. Your time here is sure to be a fun one!
- Crowd Favorite: Street Walker. A traditional West Coast IPA with 7.2% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Tiger Ride
- Hop-py Note: Family and dog-friendly environment.
Hours: Open Mon 3pm – 8pm, Tues & Wed 11:30am – 8pm, Thur & Fri 11:30am – 9pm, Sat 12pm – 10pm, Sun 12pm – 7pm.
Address: 2719 Loker Ave W d, Carlsbad, CA 92010
Contact: (760) 814-2355 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
7. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
If you love having a beer with your pizza, BJ’s got the right combo! BJ’s will make your soul happy because of its flavorful craft beers and signature deep dish pizza. BJ Brewhouse earned multiple awards for its craft beers, and when you visit the place, you’ll get the chance to taste several of its top-rated beers. Make sure also to order their mouth-watering local favorites – Avocado Egg Rolls and Pizookie! BJ has it for you; whether you want freshly brewed beer, gourmet dishes, or delectable desserts, they will satisfy your cravings!
- Crowd Favorite: HopStorm® IPA. An American-style hop beer with 6.5% ABV, with a strong aroma and a well-balanced bitterness.
- Highly Recommended: Jeremiah Red®
- Hop-py Note: They serve vegan-friendly food.
- Fun Fact: The Pizookie resembles a deep-dish pizza. It is served in a small pot with a gooey cookie topped with the ice cream of your choice.
Hours: Open Mon – Sun 11am – 12am.
Address: 5613 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Contact: (760)-579-4440 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
8. Ebullition Brew Works and Gastronomy
Ebullition Brew Works is a worthy place to visit if you fancy live music, great craft beer, and delicious food. This fantastic brewery stands out for its refreshing brewed beers on tap and gourmet dishes like the Black Lime Wings and Peruvian Ceviche. What also makes Ebullition a fun brewery is they have a mug club where members are called The High Society. Joining their mug club will let you enjoy several benefits, such as a 10% merchandise discount, first-hand access to limited beer releases, special promos, and many more exciting perks!
- Crowd Favorite: 65 & Sunny. An aromatic, mildly bitter, hoppy beer with 7% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Tropical Hazy IPA
- Hop-py Note: Kid-friendly. Special Menu is available every weekend.
Hours: Open Daily 12pm-8pm.
Address: 2628 Gateway Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Contact: (442) 232-2837 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
9. Barrel Republic
Barrel Republic will surely excite you with their wide range of beers and a Freedom to Pour Room. Yes, you can pour your beer from their public tap room, which differentiates them from other breweries. You’ll get a wristband you’ll use for scanning and choose the beer you like to try. You can even be creative and try unique mixes!
The Barrel Republic also serves delicious food and snacks to pair with your chosen beer. You can also enjoy exclusive beer releases from their collaboration with other brewing companies. You should also know that they have over 50 taps available, but the beers are from different brands, not brewed in-house.
- Crowd Favorite: Chronic Amber Ale. A light, smooth amber beer with 4.9% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Tropicus
- Hop-py Note: Vegan-friendly dishes are available.
- Fun Fact: The wristband they give you has a limit of 40oz of beer you can pour, but if this is not enough, you can ask their staff for an additional 10 or 20oz.
Hours: Open Mon – Thur 12pm – 10pm, Fri & Sat 12pm – 1am, Sun 12pm – 10pm.
Address: 2961 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Contact: (760) 841-8404 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
10. Pizza Port Carlsbad Brewery
“Good food and good beer bring good cheer!” is the company’s tag line. And, they live up to the standards when it comes to great beer and excellent customer service. The people tag them as one of the best pizza and beer pubs in California, and we are sure you won’t be disappointed. The place serves munchies, salads, floats, and original pizza flavors, and you can also create your own pizza.
With their beer selection, you can choose between IPAs, Blonde Ale, or Amber ale. You can also look forward to their special collaboration beer releases every once in a while.
- Crowd Favorite: Swami’s IPA with 6.8% ABV. A hoppy and citrusy drink with satisfying crisp.
- Highly Recommended: California Honey Ale
- Hop-py Note: Children-friendly. Dogs are allowed.
- Fun Fact: The siblings’ Gina and Vince bought a struggling pizza place in San Diego and turned it into a pizza and beer place, now known as Pizza Port.
Hours: Open Mon – Thur 11am – 10pm, Fri & Sat 11am – 11pm, Sun 11am – 10pm.
Address: 571 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Contact: (760) 720–7007 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
