Societe Brewing Company (San Diego) | Hop & Malt Duality

Hi there! I’m Riho, a craft beer enthusiast.

On my summer 2025 San Diego beer trip, Riho Brewery No.163 / USA No.41 is Societe Brewing Company, one of the destinations I most wanted to visit on this trip. I personally call this place “the American Y.MARKET” — if you’re into Japanese craft beer, you’ll understand exactly what I mean.

Societe Brewing Company – Access & Basic Info

Brewery	Societe Brewing Company
Address	8262 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111
Hours	Mon-Thu 3:00-9:00 PM / Fri 12:00-10:00 PM / Sat-Sun 12:00-9:00 PM (please check the official website before visiting)
Access	San Diego city area. Car or rideshare recommended
Website	societebrewing.com
Founded	2012
Key Styles	West Coast IPA, Hazy IPA, Saison, Sour, Stout, and more

Venue & Atmosphere – Why I Call It “The American Y.MARKET”

Societe’s taproom has a distinctive presence within San Diego’s craft beer scene. The breadth of their lineup, their commitment to each style, and the completeness of every single pour remind me of the vibe at Y.MARKET Brewing in Nagoya (名古屋) — a name every Japanese craft beer lover knows.

Founded in 2012, Societe was started by brewers including the renowned Travis Smith (formerly of Russian River Brewing). They produce a wide range of high-quality styles from West Coast IPA to saisons and sours, earning passionate support from local beer aficionados.

Beers I Had – The Duality of Hops and Malt

The IPA I had was defined by punchy hop aroma and flavor. While it drinks refreshingly, there’s also a solid malt foundation that lets you savor it thoughtfully.

This beer has a fascinating temperature-dependent duality: when cold, it’s crisp and refreshing; as it warms, a mellow depth emerges. This balance is what makes Societe so cool.

Web Reviews & Ratings

Platform	Rating / Info
Untappd (The Pupil IPA)	4.0 / 5 – Highly rated as a flagship West Coast IPA
Untappd (The Apprentice)	3.9 / 5 – Praised for its balance of drinkability and quality
Google Maps	4.4 / 5 (massive local craft beer community support)
Yelp	4.0 / 5 (taproom atmosphere well-received)
RateBeer	Consistently ranked among San Diego’s top breweries

*Latest ratings and operating hours should be confirmed on the official website or review platforms.

Awards & Notable Info

Since its founding in 2012, Societe Brewing Company has consistently earned high marks in San Diego’s craft beer scene. Head brewer Travis Smith‘s experience at Russian River Brewing shines through in their technical prowess, and they have Great American Beer Festival (GABF) awards to their name. Their rare ability to produce both West Coast IPAs and sour beers at an elite level has drawn attention from beer critics worldwide.

Explore the World of West Coast IPA

To enjoy a perfectly balanced West Coast IPA like Societe’s at home, pair one with a proper IPA glass for the full craft beer experience.

Browse West Coast IPA variety packs on Rakuten

References & Related Articles

• Instagram post (2025-08-18): @lobeerve
• Societe Brewing official site: societebrewing.com (check the official site for latest hours and tap list)

San Diego beer trip related articles: Ballast Point (No.162) / AleSmith Brewing (No.161) / Pure Project (No.160)

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