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Learn + Discover

A Guide to Hops Highway: Five San Marcos Breweries You Must Visit

4/13/2022

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If you are a fan of craft beer (of course you are!), then you need to check out the Hops Highway in San Diego County. This scenic route takes you through some of the best breweries in the Capital of Craft, which is how Highway 78 adopted the moniker of Hops Highway. One of our favorite stops along the route is San Marcos, where you will find five amazing breweries, all within close proximity to one another. Grab some friends, find a designated driver, and hit up Hops Highway San Marcos and enjoy exceptional brews!
  • Blue Fire Brewing 
  • Rip Current Brewing Company
  • Dos Desperados Brewery
  • Double Peak Brewing Co.
  • The Lost Abbey | San Elijo Sanctuary
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Blue Fire Brewing
Your first stop on our list along the Hops Highway is Blue Fire Brewing, a neighborly brewery with an unabashed love for West Coast IPAS, Brown Ales, and other traditional beers. Despite their core beers, they are unafraid to try different styles to reach new heights.

​Blue Fire Brewing loves its neighbors, and its neighbors love Blue Fire - many of them drop by for weekly trivia nights, to get dinner from rotating food vendors, and to simply have a good beer and socialize. Food vendors can be found at Blue Fire Brewing every Tuesday, with Sundays reserved for delicious birria. They also have two upcoming crawfish boils you won't want to miss on the third Wednesday of April and May.
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This craft brewery is a welcoming environment where the community can find fresh fermented brews. The brewery/tasting room features a roll-up window with indoor and outdoor spaces for people to socialize. A window looks into their 5 bbl brewery and cellar space, including their 1 bbl pilot system they use for unique one-offs and small-batch releases.
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When you find yourself at Blue Fire Brewing, try their White Sage IPA or the Electric Blues IPA, their two most popular beers. White Sage is brewed with primarily Sterling hops and a touch of Centennial hops, giving it a more herbaceous and floral quality that compliments the dank and earthy notes that have made White Sage a fan favorite. Electric Blues IPA balances the light but flavorful mouthfeel of German specialty malts with the robust and bittering charge of CTZ hops. Centennial and Chinook hops bring forth notes of grapefruit, citrus, and pine - give it a taste!
Mark your calendar for September 24th, as Blue Fire Brewery will celebrate its one-year anniversary! They also have fun activities planned in celebration of Oktoberfest. Be on the lookout for custom steins being produced in Germany just for them!

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Website: https://bluefirebrewing.com
Location: 2892 S Santa Fe Ave STE 107, San Marcos, CA 92069
Hours:
  • Monday: 3 PM - 7 PM
  • Tuesday - Thursday: 3 PM - 8 PM
  • Friday: 3 PM -9 PM
  • Saturday: 11 AM - 8 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM - 5 PM
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Rip Current Brewing Co.
Rip Current is committed to producing a wide variety of award-winning beers. With nine years of experience under their belts, they have perfected the art of brewing flavorful and innovative beers that will please any craft beer lover.
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They have won major awards across multiple beer styles, from low-alcohol lagers to imperial stouts. And with a wide variety of sessionable beers, IPAs (including hazy IPAs), dark ales, lagers, and barrel-aged beers, Rip Current draws craft beer rookies and seasoned pros all over San Diego. With San Diego as a leader in craft beer production, Rip Current Brewing is honored to be a part of such a passionate and creative community in north county.
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Being in San Diego, it should be no surprise that IPAs and Double IPAs are their fastest sellers. They have plenty of new batches coming out in April, including their IBF medal-winning Helles, and GABF medal-winner Doppelbock, making its return in late April.

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They've recently added a new smaller "brite" beer tank to their brewery to help them do more small-batch beer releases. This will allow them to experiment even more with their beers, creating limited-time releases that are sure to be a hit with beer lovers. Two of their latest beer releases are a result of these beer tanks - a chocolate version of their bock for Valentine's day, with cocoa nibs from Ghana and Ecuador and a touch of vanilla, and a Blanton's barrel-aged doubled imperial oatmeal stout.
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Rip Current Brewing Company has been operating for nine years, and they plan on ramping up seasonal releases throughout the year in preparation for its 10th anniversary next year. Be on the lookout for some unique collaborations and the rerelease of old favorites. In the meantime, stop by and have a beer or two!
Website: http://ripcurrentbrewing.com
Location: 1325 Grand Ave #100, San Marcos, CA 92078
Hours:
  • Monday: 4 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 4 PM - 8 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 8 PM
  • Thursday: 3 PM - 10 PM
  • Friday: 12 PM - 10 PM
  • Saturday: 12 PM - 10 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM - 8 PM​
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Dos Desperados Brewery
Hospitality, family, and friends are what Dos Desperados Brewery is all about, which is why they have made San Marcos their home. Friendly competition and support for business growth make the Local Beer Community in San Marcos so great, driving Dos Desperados to create phenomenal beer for its fans. 
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The staff is friendly and always willing to help out, making this small, cozy, western-themed tasting room the place to go to enjoy award-winning beers with friends. For a true sense of community, their Beer Club Members foster a welcoming and friendly atmosphere that will make you feel right at home.
Dos Desperados is always seeking to give back and help the community. They have just released Nana Style, with a portion of proceeds directly supporting Ales for ALS. This 6% hazy pale ale has beautiful tropical notes and a surprisingly dry finish, be sure to show your support and give it a try!

While you're there, try their Hazy Daisy IPA, named after the owner's Golden Retriever, or their German-style lager - Lager Magnifico - if that's more up your alley. Hell Camino Belgian Style Quad is another favorite and a GABF winner.

Dos Desperados Brewery has some special events planned in the coming months that you won't want to miss out on! On April 16th, they are celebrating the anniversary release of their canned Hazy Daisy IPA with music and BBQ. Make sure to stop by and celebrate with them!
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Website: http://www.dosdesperadosbrew.com​
Location: 1241 Linda Vista Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078
Hours:
  • Monday - Tuesday: 2 PM – 7 PM
  • Wednesday - Friday:    2 PM – 9 PM
  • Saturday: 12 PM – 9 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM – 7 PM
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Double Peak Brewing Co.
If you're looking for a brewery off the beaten path and surrounded by nature, Double Peak Brewing Co. is the place for you! This San Marcos brewery was founded by a seasoned home brewer-turned-pro who has a passion for brewing traditional and diverse beer. Double Peak is nestled between the hills and valleys of San Elijo, and when you arrive at this brewery, you'll be surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Double Peak Brewing is spacious, with a great outdoor area perfect for large gatherings. Sit by their garden and take in the fresh air while enjoying a pint of their craft beer. You'll often find delicious food trucks parked at Double Peak, serving a wide variety of cuisine - hotdogs, pizza, tacos, you name it!
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Despite their small-lot productions, this hands-on brewery has an ever-growing selection of fantastic San Diego beers ready for you to try. Some fan favorites include the Black Mountain Stout, a robust, imperial stout, and their Haboob Red Ale, a smooth, balanced red ale.
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Upon entering their garage door entrance, you'll be greeted by a warm and welcoming staff. The taproom overlooks the entire brewing operation, so you can see precisely how your beer is made! They also have a backroom area with a growing selection of games, ideal for spending a leisurely afternoon with friends.
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Bring your friends, family, and pets, and discover this hidden gem for yourself!

Website: http://doublepeakbrewing.com
Location: 1801 Diamond St #101, San Marcos, CA 92078
Hours:
  • Sunday - Thursday: 3 PM - 8 PM
  • Friday - Saturday: 3 PM - 9 PM
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The Lost Abbey | San Elijo Sanctuary
Many saints and sinners continue to find sanctuary at The Lost Abbey in San Elijo, imbibing pious and sinfully named brews in the hidden hills of San Marcos. Adorned with gothic and wooden fixtures, dimly lit to set the mood, The Lost Abbey is your final stop for prayer or penance.

Their award-winning barrel-aging program brews some of the best craft beer in San Diego, producing five unique brands of beer: The Lost Abbey, Port Brewing Co, The Hop Concept, Tiny Bubbles, & Kharisma Tea Co. Whether you find yourself at The Church or at The Sanctuary, you can expect to find brews from the various unique brands, so you know you're bound to find a new favorite or two!

Duck Duck Gooze is a Belgian-style Sour and is The Lost Abbey's most popular beer, and it's not hard to see why. This tart beer has hints of oak and leather, with a sour bite thanks to the Brettanomyces - this is a complex and delicious beverage. The initial sip may be overwhelming, but as with all sour ales, the initial sip wakes up your dull senses.

The Double IPA Mongo is a Port Brewing special that has captured the hearts of San Diego beer drinkers since its inception. This brew harnesses the flavors of Columbus, Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe hops, imparting the beer with citrusy notes and a piney, bitter finish. After you give it a try, you'll understand why this has become such a massive hit with beer fans in San Diego.
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For those who like sours, get ready for Peach Afternoon, which was released late last March. This new barrel-aged sour was last brewed in 2020 and won a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival. This brew is aged in red wine barrels with white peach and white tea with a sweet and tart finish.

They have some special events coming soon, stay tuned for announcements on social media!

Website: https://lostabbey.com
Location: 1215 San Elijo Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078
Hours:
  • Monday - Tuesday: 2 PM - 7 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 8 PM
  • Thursday - Saturday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM - 7 PM​

There's no better way of experiencing San Diego craft beer than through the Hops Highway. We hope you enjoy your stop in San Marcos. With five different breweries, there's sure to be something for everyone. Blue Fire Brewing, Rip Current Brewing, Dos Desperados, Double Peak, and The Lost Abbey are all great places to check out. Each brewery has its own unique style and atmosphere and we hope you find a new favorite!

With so many great breweries to choose from and visit, you're bound to have a fantastic time exploring all that San Marcos has to offer. Cheers!
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