Head to the 'Home of Pure Hoppiness' in the quaint mountain town of Alpine in east San Diego County to sample some tasty craft beers. While its hoppy beers have made the Alpine Beer Company famous, its brewers also produce small-batch beers that you’ll only find in the tasting room. Sit out on the patio and soak up the sun as you sip the much-celebrated Keene Idea double IPA or the popular Hoppy Birthday session IPA. Then walk down the street to the Alpine Beer Company Pub for a wood-smoked barbequed lunch, washed down with your new favourite ale.

Named after a pioneering master brewer, Karl Strauss Brewing Company is credited with kick-starting San Diego’s now-flourishing independent brewing scene. It was the city’s first brewery since Prohibition when it opened in 1989, an idea hatched by two university friends at a lifeguard look-out in Mission Beach. There are now seven Karl Strauss locations around San Diego County, ranging from lively restaurants to a tasting room and beer garden. Raise a pint and toast to where San Diego’s craft beer boom began with a Tower 10 IPA, or try the gold-medal-winning Red Trolley Ale.

Located in San Diego’s North Park neighbourhood—an area known for its cool, creative vibe—Pariah Brewing Company is a natural fit in a community full of independent thinkers. Since opening in 2017, the brewery has attracted attention for its unique beers, flavoured with everything from the simple (locally roasted coffee) to the more unusual (kiwi and green tea). Founder and master brewer Brian Mitchell takes pride in challenging the status quo, and the strategy seems to be working—in 2017 Pariah was named one of the 10 best new breweries by San Diego Magazine. Sidle up to the tasting bar for an Off White Wit, a Belgian style Witbier brewed with orange blossom honey, Jasmine green tea, fresh lemongrass, dried orange slices and fresh ginger.

Operated by one of the most prolific and famous San Diego breweries, Ballast Point, this by appointment only tasting room showcases small batch innovation. Housed inside Ballast Point’s Little Italy brewing space, The Kettle Room offers much more than an intimate group tasting experience. You’ll sit down for a gourmet meal (the fixed menu is ever-changing to include the freshest ingredients) and savour Ballast Point recipes suited perfectly to each dish. Rally your craft-beer-loving friends and get ready for next-level beer pairing. (Reservations available on Friday and Saturday evenings.)

One of San Diego’s oldest craft breweries remains one of its brightest stars, with die-hard fans the world over. Stone Brewing’s massive brewing complex in Escondido is also home to Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, named by RateBeer Best in 2017 as 'The Best Place for Beer in the United States'. See how the magic is made on a brewery tour and then explore the lush gardens, which include waterfalls and plenty of space for the children to roam. Grab a table on the large outdoor patio and order the Stone Steak Tacos, which pair perfectly with Stone’s Arrogant Bastard Ale.

This cheery, popular-with-the-locals brewery just streets from the Pacific in Oceanside boasts an impressively long and varied beer list. In addition to the nearly 20 Bagby beers, which range in style from American to Belgian, the guest draught list includes more than 40 options. Make a beeline for the rooftop terrace picnic tables and order the house favourite, Bagby Worker Bee, an American Golden Ale with a trace flavour of local honey and the beer-battered fish tacos featuring the local catch. The prismatic sunset views are just a bonus.

Explore North Orange County’s buzzing micro-brewing scene during a 4.5-hour tour. Your group will be shuttled in a limo bus to three different breweries around the OC, Anaheim and Fullerton areas, where you’ll spend 45 minutes getting a behind-the-scenes tour and sampling small-batch beers. Craft Brew Tours Anaheim's beer-savvy guides handle all the logistics, including keeping you hydrated between tastings and arranging for lunch at the end. If you want to explore even more of Anaheim’s craft beer offerings, start at Golden Road, known for their hoppy beers and lively beer garden.