[Riho Brewery No.238] Coronado Brewing Company (San Diego) | World Beer Cup Champion · 30 Years of San Diego Craft Beer History!

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Riho

Beer Engineer

Sharing the craft beer experience through an IT engineer's perspective. As a certified beer judge in Japan, I participated in the 2024 JGBA competitions. Currently based in Seattle, I offer brewing process insights and reviews while comparing craft cultures between the US and Japan.

My mission is "creating a world where breweries' unique stories reach their audience." I support brewers by leveraging my IT skills through prompt engineering and web development. Feel free to reach out with any questions about beer and technology. Cheers! 🍻


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確認できた事実と個人的な感想を明確に分けて記載しています。

Hello! I’m Riho, a craft beer enthusiast.

On November 10, 2025, I visited the Bay Park tasting room of San Diego’s craft beer legend — Coronado Brewing Company. Founded in 1996, this 30-year veteran of the San Diego brewing scene claimed the ultimate honor of “Champion Brewery & Brewmaster” at the 2014 World Beer Cup, making it a living witness to San Diego’s craft beer history.

Guided by the philosophy “Staying Coastal,” Coronado has embodied the fusion of San Diego beach culture and craft beer for decades. I made my way to the Bay Park brewery to experience the essence of West Coast IPA!

Hop-kun
Hop-kun

Coronado’s “Islander IPA” earned both WBC 2014 Gold and Champion Brewery — Hop! It’s a classic West Coast IPA combining three C-hops: Centennial, Chinook, and Columbus, featuring bold bitterness at 65 IBU with apricot and grapefruit aromas — Hop! When Coronado was founded in 1996, there were only about 5 craft breweries in all of San Diego — Hop! A true pioneer of the early days — Hop!

Rune-chan
Rune-chan

San Diego is a craft beer holy land — Woof! A brewery that started on Coronado Island now has a brewery in the heart of San Diego — that shows real growth — Woof! Islander IPA winning World Beer Cup Gold is something else entirely — Woof!!

Riho-kun
Riho-kun

The Bay Park brewery has a spacious tasting room with a thrilling atmosphere where you can drink beer while gazing at massive fermentation tanks! There’s also a dog-friendly outdoor patio, and I spent a wonderful afternoon devouring pizza and tacos with IPAs. Perfect San Diego vibes!

📍 Basic Information (Bay Park Brewery)

ItemDetails
📍 Address1205 Knoxville Street, San Diego, CA 92110, USA (Bay Park Tasting Room & Main Brewery)
🏝️ Original Brewpub170 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 (Coronado Island · birthplace)
🚃 TransitRight next to MTS Blue Line Tecolote Road Station / ~5 min drive from Mission Bay
🕐 HoursDaily 11AM–9PM
📞 Phone619-275-2215
🌐 Websitecoronadobrewing.com
📸 Instagram@coronadobrewing
🍺 SpecialtyWest Coast IPA · Lager · Blonde Ale
📅 FoundedAugust 1996 (Coronado Island)

🌐 Online Ratings & Reviews

PlatformRatingReviews
⭐ TripAdvisor4.7 / 5Top-ranked in San Diego
🍺 Untappd3.69 / 51,180,000+ check-ins (681 beers)
⭐ Yelp (Bay Park)4.0+ / 5454 reviews

📖 A Living Witness to San Diego Craft Beer

Coronado Brewing Company was born in August 1996 at 170 Orange Ave on Coronado Island, founded by brothers Ron Chapman and Rick Chapman. At the time, there were only about 5 craft breweries in all of San Diego — their pioneer spirit is truly legendary. A famous early story: their very first keg delivery went to the iconic Hotel del Coronado.

Over nearly 30 years, Coronado has grown alongside San Diego’s beach culture, expanding to a full-scale brewery and tasting room in Bay Park on the San Diego mainland. The original brewpub on Coronado Island still operates today, and the two-location operation continues to lead San Diego’s craft beer scene.

🏆 Awards (World Beer Cup Champion Brewery 2014)

YearCompetitionMedalBeer/Category
2014World Beer Cup🥇 Champion Brewery & Brewmaster (medium size)Brewery overall
2014World Beer Cup🥇 Gold (IPA category)Islander IPA
2014World Beer Cup🥈 Silver (Barleywine)Old Scallywag
2019GABF🥉 Bronze (American IPA)Weekend Vibes
2019GABF🥈 Silver (Barleywine)Freebooter Barleywine
2020GABF🥈 Silver (Golden/Blonde Ale)Salty Crew Blonde Ale
2025GABF🥉 Bronze (Golden/Blonde Ale)Salty Crew Blonde Ale

🍺 Signature Beers

① Islander IPA ★ World Beer Cup 2014 Gold Medal

The flagship IPA named after Coronado Island. A classic West Coast IPA combining three C-hops — Centennial, Chinook, and Columbus — with a bold profile of ABV 7.0% and IBU 65. The masterpiece that earned World Beer Cup 2014 Gold Medal honors.

Rich aromas of apricot, grapefruit, and mango, with a resinous pine bitterness. A dry finish with an elegant, lingering bitterness — the textbook West Coast IPA in every sense of the word.

② Weekend Vibes ★ Most Popular

Currently the most popular beer in the lineup — a San Diego-style IPA combining Mosaic, Citra, and Simcoe hops, ABV 6.8%, IBU 60. Explosive tropical dankness with a refreshing dry finish. GABF 2019 Bronze winner. Untappd 3.79/5 (42,000+ ratings).

③ Salty Crew Blonde Ale ★ GABF Award-Winning Approachable Beer

A blonde ale (ABV 4.5%) using German hops — Hallertau and Saaz. A collaboration with the surf and fishing lifestyle brand “Salty Crew,” known for being refreshingly casual and perfect for the boat. A long-seller that earned GABF Silver in 2020 and Bronze in 2025.

📊 Flavor Profile (Islander IPA)

Flavor ElementIntensity (1–5)Character
🟠 Bitterness4/565 IBU · pine-resinous · elegant lingering finish
🟢 Sweetness2/5Dry · clean finish
🔵 Acidity1/5Virtually none · typical WCIPA
🟣 Body3/5Medium · well-balanced
🟡 Aroma4/5Apricot · grapefruit · mango · pine

👃 Aroma Profile (Islander IPA)

🌲
Pine
Resinous · Piney
🍊
Grapefruit
Citrus · Bright
🍑
Apricot
Ripe Fruit
🥭
Mango
Tropical

🏆 Overall Rating

★★★★☆
4.2/5
San Diego craft beer history personified. Islander IPA is the textbook West Coast IPA that brewers worldwide study and admire
Riho-kun
Riho-kun

The moment I took my first sip of “Islander IPA,” I understood — this is where West Coast IPA began. The classic combination of pine and grapefruit makes it perfectly clear why this earned the world’s highest honor in 2014. A nearly 30-year veteran that carries an unwavering identity. That’s the essence of a true craft beer legend!

✈️ Plan Your San Diego Trip

Riho-kun
Riho-kun

San Diego is a coastal city in Southern California blessed with warm weather and beautiful beaches. With over 100 craft breweries, it’s known as the “Capital of Craft Beer”! I recommend booking your trip early through Rakuten Travel!

✈️ Book Your San Diego Trip

※ Contains affiliate links

📸 From My Instagram Visit

❓ FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coronado Brewing’s flagship beer?

Islander IPA is their flagship and a World Beer Cup champion. It’s a classic West Coast IPA featuring citrus and pine hop aromas. Their range also includes the award-winning Mermaid’s Red Ale.

How do I get to the Coronado taproom?

Located on Orange Ave on Coronado Island. From downtown San Diego, take the ferry from Broadway Pier (15 min, ~$5.75) or CVTD Route 904 bus ($2.50). By car, cross the Coronado Bridge on CA-75.

Is it family-friendly?

Yes! The taproom is welcoming to all ages. They have a full food menu and a relaxed atmosphere. Street parking is available on Orange Ave.

ルネちゃん
ルネちゃん
How do you get to Coronado Island from downtown San Diego?
りほくん
りほくん
Ferry from Broadway Pier is the most scenic way — only about 15 minutes and around $5.75 each way! You can also drive across the impressive Coronado Bridge on CA-75.
ホプくん
ホプくん
The Islander IPA is everything a West Coast IPA should be — bold citrus, pine resin, and incredible hop aroma. Being a World Beer Cup champion really means something here!
ルネちゃん
ルネちゃん
Is there anything else to do on Coronado Island?
りほくん
りほくん
Absolutely! The Hotel del Coronado (built 1888) is a National Historic Landmark and worth exploring. The beach is gorgeous. Perfect combo: Coronado Brewing → beach walk → sunset!

🍻 How to Order at an American Taproom

New to American taprooms? Here’s a quick guide to ordering craft beer with confidence.

りほくん
りほくん
Don’t be shy at the bar! Staff at craft breweries love talking beer. Just point at the tap list or say what style you enjoy and they’ll guide you to something great.
Step 1Check the tap list on the board or menu
Step 2Order at the counter: “Can I have a [beer name], please?”
Step 3“Open tab or close?” → Say “Open” to pay later, “Close” to pay now
Step 4Show ID (passport) if asked — 21+ required
Step 5Pick up your beer at the counter
Step 6Add 15–20% tip when closing your tab (tablet screen)
ホプくん
ホプくん
Try asking: “What do you recommend?” or “What’s your most popular IPA right now?” — bartenders love these questions!
ルネちゃん
ルネちゃん
Want to try before committing? Ask for a “taster” or “sampler” — most taprooms offer small 2-4oz pours to help you decide!

⚠️ Disclaimer

Taste evaluations are personal opinions. Beer flavor perception varies by individual. Product information, hours, and prices are subject to change without notice. Drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to consume alcohol in the United States.

🔗 Other Breweries from This Trip

More brewery articles from the November 2025 California trip coming soon. US Craft Beer Brewery Guide →

🇺🇸 American Craft Beer Brewery Reviews

North American brewery reports from a Seattle-based craft beer enthusiast: https://rihobeer.com/category/beer/brewpub/usa

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