Mike Hess Brewing

Mike Hess Brewing is one of the premier craft breweries in San Diego. Established in 2010 as the region’s first nano-brewery, they have grown to the 21st largest in the state, with five locations and two brewhouses. All of their tasting rooms and brewery locations are family and dog-friendly and feature a broad array of award-winning ales and lagers.

Their recently opened Imperial Beach biergarten is their first to feature an on-site kitchen and is the largest beach-side biergarten in San Diego County. They have built their reputation on both their philanthropic endeavors and bringing people together over great beer.

History

Mike Hess Brewing is one of the premier craft breweries of San Diego. We set out with a mission to bring people together over great beer and were early on in the craft beer revolution. We were the region’s 33rd brewery — in fact, there were only 1,700 breweries in the entire USA back in 2010. We’ve enjoyed rewarding success as we’ve built our fan base and our team.

Though we started with a single roll-up door and 800 ft², our launch as San Diego’s very first nano-brewery allowed us to grow our brand and our customer base at a reasonable pace. And, through our Odyssey blog, documenting the process of opening a nano, we help facilitate nearly 1,000 nanos in their opening nationwide. Now, in our 10th year, we have 5 locations in California, including the “OG” spot, which has since tripled in size!

In 2012 we began work on our flagship brewery and tasting room in the heart of North Park, one of the hippest neighborhoods* in the US. Opening our doors in 2013, this space features a 30 bbl brewhouse accessible by our one-of-a-kind sky bridge over and through the brewery. We followed this by opening up our Ocean Beach tasting room, featuring people-watching just a few blocks from world-famous OB Dog Beach.

In 2018 we opened our 4th location in the Hess family hometown, Walnut Creek. This location features a beautiful, brand new buildout, and a 2,200 sq. ft. deck and outside patio.

Finally, in 2019, we opened our biergarten in Imperial Beach just steps from the sand. With 6,500 sq. ft. of outside space and a full kitchen, the MHB Biergarten is the perfect place for large groups, weddings and hanging outside with friends.

The Taprooms

All of our locations are family and pet friendly and are staffed by some of the best beertenders in the industry. Whether a beer geek or novice, our friendly staff will make you feel right at home and happily walk you through our lineup of truly hand-crafted, well thought out beers.

North Park Taproom

Come see where the magic happens; visitors can interact with our brew staff and check out all the stainless as they walk through our main brewery on the sky bridge path to our spacious tasting room. Enjoy live sports on our flat-screen HD TVs, play regulation steel-tip darts, board games, or just enjoy a good conversation in our comfortable seating. We have food each day—Taco Tuesday is a can’t miss!—along with weekly trivia, art shows, food trucks, and pizza delivered to you at your seat.

Located just south of University Ave, a 1/2 mile west of 805 between 30th and 31st, we offer complimentary parking in each of the two lots adjacent to our building or at the North Park parking garage on 30th and North Park Way. You can also take Bus Route 6 from Fashion Valley and Mission Valley Malls Area; Route 7 from Downtown or La Mesa; or Route 10 from Old Town or the College/University area or ride your bike or one of the many scooter options.

Imperial Beach Taproom

Come enjoy delicious beer, amazing food from our own kitchen run by City Tacos, and a sun drenched biergarten literally steps from the ocean. Our IB Biergarten is the perfect complement to a sunny day with ample outdoor seating, an elevated deck, cornhole boards, grass, and great food, including an extensive vegan-friendly and gluten-free friendly menu.

Located on the main drag, on the corner of Sea Coast Drive and Date, a mere 70 ft. from the beach, it is the ultimate outdoor biergarten experience in Southern California.

Miramar Taproom

Come see where it all began and enjoy any (or all!) of our delicious beers while checking out the original brewhouse equipment that fueled our humble start. Enjoy ping pong, darts, live sports, and a variety of board games along — or join in our regular weekly cornhole tournaments (novice to pro) with ample seating and our friendly staff.

Located off Miramar Road, between 15 and 805. From 805, go east on Miramar (From 15, go west on Miramar). Turn (N) onto Dowdy, turn left on Silverton. Pass Mira Este Ct. Turn left into the 5th driveway. Bus 31 passes Dowdy on Miramar.

Walnut Creek Taproom

Come enjoy a spacious outdoor seating area while you enjoy the full lineup of our beers and hard seltzers (or take a 6 pack or purrowler home). Weekly entertainment available on Thirsty Thursdays and always live music on Saturdays. Grab a group of friends and hang out under our 70-year old Valley Oak on the deck, grab a couch on the patio, or hang out inside. We’ve also got cornhole and board games for your entertainment… as well as many other special events you will find on our calendar. There are multiple flat screen TV’s showing all kinds of local and national sports, plus pac-12 coverage too!

Located in the new Orchards Shopping Center on Oak Grove and Ygnacio Valley Rd. Once in the Orchards, just find the biggest tree … and that’s where we are!

Ocean Beach Taproom

Come enjoy a delicious beer and watch the world go by in our open air Ocean Beach tasting room located just a few blocks away from world-famous OB Dog Beach. Bring the pooch along and treat them to a delicious dog bone or pick up a Mike Hess Brewing dog collar and leash. Our Ocean Beach tasting room is the perfect mix of laid back beach day and sunny soulful vibes. Bring your own food and enjoy our pet and family friendly environment.

Located on the corner of Cable and Voltaire on the north side of OB.

Bar Knights Trivia: Every Thursday night from 7 – 9PM! Bring your best team in to play trivia! Its free to play and 1st to 3rd place teams will take home a prize. Running late? Don’t worry, you can join at any time.

Mike Hess Brewing is an independent craft brewer.

Inside the taproom at Mike Hess Brewing taproom in Imperial Beach, California