Tijuana ’s beer scene is irrupt : more than 20 tap rooms have set up store over the last year alone , showcasing select brewage from Baja California ’s 90 + craft breweries . Because fate is good and kind , most of Tijuana ’s taps can be found in one of two locations : Revolución , downtown ’s notorious party strip , reemerging as a hip commerce dominion , andPlaza Fiesta , a former Zona Río club zona - turned - food & drink enclave , home to 15 dab rooms with more in the works .
no matter of where you terminate up , remember that most tasting rooms participate in Tap Tuesdays , when they ’ll knock at least 10 pesos off the already modest terms ticket of 60 - ish peso ( that ’s about $ 3.25 ) for a 16 oz dry pint . That ’s Budweiser ( er , excuse us , America ) prices forStone BrewingorModern Timesor Ale Smith quality .
Of of course , Tijuana can seem scare away to first - timer , so we ’ve compose Tijuana ’s most refreshing craft beers to drink this summer .
Insurgente Tap Room
Norte Brewing Company4Play
Session IPA , 4.5%RevoluciónPacked to the foamy brim with Chinook , Cascade , Centennial , Amarillo , Simcoe , and a stout dry hopping of Citra , this 60 IBU brew will pucker the roof of the mouth of San Diego IPA fanatic while imparting as much alcohol as Tecate Red – a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. - potable 4.5 % . Norte is on the fifth floor of a parking garage behind Caliente Casino with unmatched views of the Tijuana Arch and Zona Norte from the storey - to - cap windows . A former strip club , Norte now pays homage to the space ’s history with nervy beers such as the Escort Blonde Ale and Cougar Amber Ale .
Azteca Craft BrewingLa Revulution
Pink blonde ale , 4.5%Pasaje RevoluciónAzteca is one of several brewers locate in the hidden passageways of Pasaje Revolución , but its brewage are well the most summery on this striptease . La Revulution is a descendant of Azteca ’s La Revu blonde ale with a bright strawberry mark extract . The blondes are the lightest of Azteca ’s oblation , both somewhat effervescent and not too sweet . Bring a quesadilla to pair with La Revulution : the compounding of fruit and cheese is delightful .
Mamut Brewery Co.Belgian Pale
Belgian pale ale , 5.5%RevoluciónA trip to Mamut is a glimpse into the ancestor of craftiness beer in Tijuana . The brewery has spent over three geezerhood on Revolución , and latterly blow up to include a large concert locale and a mezcal streak , in summation to a new Plaza Fiesta location . Grab a pizza from the in - sign of the zodiac kitchen and enjoy an good afternoon on the balcony overlooking Third with a champagne Belgian picket . At 5.5 % ABV , these spritzy wonders can be enjoyed over metre , leaving lingering notes of banana , ash , and hazelnut .
Lúdica ArtesanalDescomunal
California common , 5.1%Plaza FiestaFormer toughie rock venue El Tigre Bar reconfigured itself last year to pave the elbow room for Plaza Fiesta ’s craftsmanship beer makeover . Now home to Lúdica Artesanal , the bar retains it rock ' n ' roll attitude in a more advanced ambiance . Sit out by the fountain and sip on a Descomunal ( 45 IBU , 5.1 % ABV ) . The Gold Rush - earned run average lager is reminiscent of Anchor Steam , but is adjust for Baja ’s warmer climate . Willamette and Northern Brewer hops bring a strong citrous fruit kick to a creamy , malty finish .
Silenus CerveceríaHelios
American dear pale yellow , 5%Plaza FiestaDesigned to front like a stereotypical college kid ’s apartment , El Depa sop up crowds throughout the week with flash beer , vintage video games , and couches aplenty . The sentimental saloon follow suit with downstairs neighbor Lúdica last year by adding a tap room for Silenus . Brewmaster Ivan Maldonado has run with San Diego staple Fall Brewing Company and Belching Beaver , and you’re able to try out his pedigree in every sip . Silenus ' Honey Wheat is reminiscent of Shock Top but , uh … effective . Claim your spot at the Super Nintendo and do by yourself to a few round .
Paralelo 28FAKE Lager
Sort of a lager beer ? , 5.2%Plaza FiestaThis maltless , hopless rarity may be the ultimate summertime beer : subtle in relish , unaggressive in ABV , and freshen all the path down . Imagine a topnotch - crisp Czech Pilsener with a hint of glum on the destruction , and you ’ll be pretty closelipped to what Paralelo 28 has created . Do n’t countenance it ’s gold chromaticity confuse you ; this potion last down like holy water system on a hot day . The balcony here drop much of the plaza , and the burgers are second to none .
Cerveza FaunaCaracol
Saison , 6.9%Plaza FiestaFauna is one of several bars in Plaza Fiesta representing Baja ’s capital metropolis , Mexicali . The enchanted woods - themed degustation room is always lively , and the kitchen whips up a tasty potpourri of legal profession transportation . Fauna ’s saison comes in at a no - nonsense 6.9 % with a bare 35 IBUs . The brew is idle - bodied and fruity , and segues nicely into the milder but more flavorous glowering on node tap from fellow Mexicali brewers , Peninsula .
Border Psycho BreweryBeso Polaco
Grätzer , 2.7%Plaza FiestaWhat in the domain is this ? ! Just in time for summertime , Tijuana ’s lionize Border Psycho Brewery has released a Polish Grodziskie ale , or Grätzer , brewed with oak - fume wheat malted . Clocking in at a chaste 2.7 % , Beso Polaco tastes like a dry lambic and , believe it or not , fume sausage . It ’s an absolute must - try .
Cerveza LegionHoney Orange
wheat berry , 4.6%Plaza FiestaSituated in front of Border Psycho , Legion bring a favorite from its desert hometown of Mexicali to Plaza Fiesta . Legion ’s Honey Orange is a bestseller in both cities , and for serious reason . The sunny wheat beer boasts a potent vitamin C front followed by a sticky worm and , no antic , chicharron goal . partner off it with resident kitchen El Local ’s chicharron tostada to achieve maximum effect .
Cervecería InsurgenteTiniebla
Witbier , 5%Plaza FiestaInsurgente is one of the best known Baja imports stateside , and a gulp of its Tiniebla witbier attest why . The brew exhibit all the qualities of a honest witbier ( citrusy , nuanced , and interminably refreshing ) while deflect the syrupy part all too common in this expressive style . Keep your eyes peeled for this nerveless 5 % pilsner at tap rooms around San Diego … but be prepared to give more than dual what Insurgente charge .
Puerto El SauzalPescador
blond ale , 5%Plaza FiestaTucked behind an unlabeled door in the back of sea bass - centric club Fresco , El Sauzal is a newcomer to the shopping mall , and is rapidly score a name for itself ( provide you may find the place ) . The Pescador blond is reeking , but polish out with note of hand of cherry and a very modest record hop bite . When available , try the hosted Veraniega American straw from Ensenada brewhouse Wendlandt .
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Azteca Craft Brewing|Chad Deal/Thrillist
Mamut Brewery Co.|Chad Deal/Thrillist
Courtesy of Lúdica Artesanal
Silenus Cervecería|Chad Deal/Thrillist
Cerveza Fauna|Matthew Suarez
Cerveza Legion|Chad Deal/Thrillist
Courtesy of Cerveceria Insurgente