White Labs Brewing Co - San Diego — Restaurant in San Diego

I went to San Diego with my boyfriend last weekend to check out a bunch of breweries, and White Labs was at the top of my list. I was excited to learn about different yeast strains and take a tour that wasn't gonna be a regular brewery tour. We drove 3 hours straight there on Friday, planning on making it for the 3pm tour. We ended up being 10 minutes late and they would not give us the tour even though no one else had showed up for it and they hadn't started without us or anything. That was pretty frustrating and to me that seemed like bad business practice. We tried a couple flights and the beer was unimpressive. The only interesting thing was being able to taste the different yeast strains. I was pretty bitter about the experience but we decided to go back the next day to give them a second chance. This time we called ahead and made sure that they would give us the tour. So we got there in time and they gave us a tour. It ended up being me and my boyfriend, another couple, and the wife's father. At the beginning, the tour guide asked if any of us had home brewed and the couple said they had a couple times. He asked if any of us had done any commercial brewing and my boyfriend answered that he was a commercial brewer. Throughout the tour the couple and the Dad asked several questions trying to learn the basics of yeast and what they do at White Labs. The tour guide repeatedly seemed frustrated by their questions and would pause and close his eyes looking like he was annoyed before answering a question. It was clear he was frustrated by their lack of knowledge and it was obnoxious and disrespectful. By the end the father had to begin his questions with "I know I'm not that smart but..." and the tour guide would answer with a sort of "well... duh" type of attitude. At one point the tour guide was talking about a beer competition and mentioned that 56% of the gold medal winners had used White Labs yeast. That's a cool fact but it totally minimizes the work that the brewers put into it. After that experience I can confidently say that I will not be going back to White Labs. My boyfriend and I both work in brewery productions and neither of us plan on using their product any longer. We'd rather not be associated with snobby companies that think they're better than everyone. That's not what the beer...

My rating is comprised of 2, 5 stars for beer and service and 1 star for the guided tour and reasoning below.

I am an out of state beer connoisseur who has drank thousands of different types of beer from all around the world, many different microbrews as well as commercial. I heard about this establishment from a local establishment and what they did and i was very intrigued. When i arrived the bartender greated me and i told her it was my first time and she gave me the rundown and i ordered a flight. I carefully read about the 4 different types of yeast that went into each beer and thoroughly examined them with a great suprise. I was intrigued on how just yeast can make that big off a difference in beer and the flavor profiles and thats when i decided i wanted to take the tour and learn as much as i could.

The tour consisted of me, 3 female's, and a guy that said he brewed commercially. The first question the male tour guide asked was does anyone homebrew or commercially brew and the guy spoke up and i stated that i just enjoyed beer and i tried homebrewing before but the quality of equipment isnt readily available and he said well this tour wont pertain to you much. I felt disrespected because there was no attempt to show any sort of appreciation to the people that enjoy the craft of what all brewers do and the art that goes into it. The rest of the tour he mainly spoke in a very monotone voice like it was a tape recorder and didnt really ask for questions or seem to want any. But once the tour was over he seemed happy to be back behind the bar and was conversing with the patrons.

I highly reccomend this place for people like me that enjoy beer and want to experience how a single ingredient can make a hugh difference in flavor profiles but if your not up to their expectations in the brewing community i dont...

I had the pleasure of visiting White Labs Brewing Co in San Diego, and let me tell you, it was an unforgettable experience! As a craft beer enthusiast, I've been to my fair share of breweries, but this one truly stands out.

The first thing that caught my attention was the unique concept of the place. White Labs is not just a brewery, but also a yeast lab, which makes it a one-of-a-kind destination for beer lovers. The knowledgeable staff were eager to share their expertise on the impact of yeast on the brewing process, and I must say, I learned a lot during my visit.

The selection of beers on tap was impressive, featuring an array of styles, from crisp and refreshing Pilsners to rich and robust Stouts. What really amazed me was how they showcase the yeast strains by offering the same beer base with different yeast varieties. This allowed me to appreciate the subtle nuances that yeast can bring to a beer's flavor profile.

The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting, with an industrial chic vibe. The spacious tasting room had plenty of seating, and I especially enjoyed the outdoor patio area, where I could soak in the San Diego sunshine while sipping on a delicious brew.

To top it all off, the staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, making my experience at White Labs Brewing Co even more enjoyable. They were more than happy to answer questions and offer recommendations, ensuring that I had the perfect beer to suit my taste buds.

In summary, White Labs Brewing Co is a must-visit for any beer lover in San Diego. The unique concept, great selection of beers, and knowledgeable staff make it a one-of-a-kind experience that you won't want to miss. I can't wait to return on my next trip to the...