[Riho Brewery No.244] Craft Coast Beer & Tacos (Oceanside) | COVID-Era Startup Wins GABF 2024 Gold — Beer & Baja Tacos Revolution

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About Me

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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! 🍻


📋 この記事はファクトチェック済みです
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 24, 2025, I visited Craft Coast Beer & Tacos in Oceanside, CA — a brewery that opened at the height of COVID-19 in August 2020 and went on to win GABF 2024 Gold with their Chillzner Italian-Style Pilsner. Founded by three hometown friends from North County San Diego, this place combines award-winning craft beer with scratch-made Baja California-style tacos in a completely original concept.

Hop-kun
Hop-kun

Winning GABF Gold AND World Beer Cup Silver in the same year after just 4 years is extraordinary — Hop! Former Pizza Port head brewer Blake Masoner’s expertise is shining bright — Hop! “Best tacos between here and Tijuana” says their fellow brewer friends — that’s the ultimate SoCal endorsement — Hop!

Rune-chan
Rune-chan

Dog-friendly patio AND they make the tacos from scratch in-house — Woof! Carnitas birria and carne asada made fresh daily — Woof! This is the ultimate SoCal beach town taproom — Woof!!

🍺 Craft Coast Beer & Tacos Basic Information

📍 Address (Oceanside)275 Mission Ave Suite A2, Oceanside, CA 92054
📍 Address (San Marcos)1325 Grand Ave Suite 100, San Marcos, CA 92078 (opened April 2024)
🕐 Hours (Oceanside)Mon–Fri 12PM–10PM / Sat–Sun 11AM–10PM
📞 Phone(760) 206-6736
🌐 Websitecraftcoast.co
📸 Instagram@craftcoast
🏭 FoundedAugust 28, 2020 (Blake Masoner, Brian Gillen, Lars Erickson)
🌮 FoodScratch-made Baja California tacos (full kitchen in-house)
🐕 Pet-FriendlyDog-friendly patio (both locations)

Visiting Tip: 10-Minute Walk from Green Cheek

りほくん
りほくん
Craft Coast is about a 10-minute walk from Green Cheek Beer in Oceanside — perfect for a double-brewery day! One tip: if you’re planning to continue to Pizza Port afterward, make sure you know where to board the transit — I missed my train and ended up on a 1-hour bus ride!
ホプくん
ホプくん
The GABF 2025 Silver Medal ‘Estra Pale Ale’ was exactly what we hoped for — smooth mouthfeel, endlessly drinkable, with a refreshing aroma. The perfect final beer of a San Diego craft beer trip!

⭐ Online Ratings

PlatformRatingReviews
✈️ TripAdvisor (Oceanside)4.6 / 5#95 of 301 restaurants in Oceanside
🍺 Untappd3.9 / 58,698 check-ins
🍴 Restaurant Guru4.4 / 5592 reviews
🍺 BeerAdvocate3.93 / 5Limited reviews
⭐ Yelp (Oceanside)680 reviews (946 photos)

📖 Born During COVID — The Revolution of Beer & Tacos

On August 28, 2020, while the world reeled from COVID-19, Craft Coast Beer & Tacos opened its doors at 275 Mission Ave in Oceanside. The founders are three childhood friends raised in North County San Diego: Blake Masoner (former head brewer at Pizza Port Carlsbad), Brian Gillen, and Lars Erickson. They crowdfunded through merchandise sales, completed renovations during lockdown, and opened when the world was still in crisis mode.

The concept was simple and clear: “A place where you can enjoy craft beer alongside authentic Baja California-style tacos.” Beer made with Blake’s Pizza Port-honed brewing expertise. Tacos made with handmade tortillas, scratch salsa, and from-scratch birria, adobada, and carne asada — no outsourcing, no shortcuts. Fellow local brewers call it “the best tacos between here and Tijuana.”

In December 2023, they took over the 6,700-square-foot San Marcos facility previously used by legendary Rip Current Brewing (GABF 2015 Very Small Brewing Company Award), opening a second location in April 2024. A third location in Encinitas is already approved for 2026, making this one of the fastest-growing craft beer concepts in the region.

🏆 Awards

YearCompetitionBeerMedal
2024🏆 GABF (Great American Beer Festival)Chillzner (Italian-Style Pilsner)🥇 Gold
2024🏅 World Beer CupChillzner (International Pilsner)🥈 Silver
2024🥉 World Beer CupXPA (Australian-Style Pale Ale)🥉 Bronze
2023🏆 SD Beer News AwardsBarrel-Aged Gnarlor Pastry StoutBest Small Brewery
2021+🥉 GABFBrown Ale / Dark Lager / WCIPA / Hazy IPA🥉 Multiple Bronze

Eight medals in under four years — given the adversity of opening during a pandemic, this is a remarkable achievement.

🍺 Signature Beers

① Chillzner ★ GABF 2024 Gold

An Italian-Style Pilsner (ABV 5.4%) finished with Italian pilsner malt, noble hops, and cold conditioning to razor-sharp crispness. The double medal winner (GABF 2024 Gold + WBC 2024 Silver) and the definitive Craft Coast masterpiece. Untappd 3.89/5 (126 ratings).

② XPA (Extra Pale Ale) ★ WBC 2024 Bronze

An Australian-Style Extra Pale Ale (ABV 5.3%, IBU ~42) centered on Mosaic hops with “gentle bitterness and subtle haze.” WBC Bronze and Silver medal winner. Untappd 3.90/5 (166 ratings).

③ Agua Baja — The Flagship Lager

A Mexican-Style Pale Lager (ABV 4.8%) representing approximately 40% of production. A tribute to Baja California culture — light, refreshing, and perfect with tacos. Typically served with lime.

④ 275 IPA — The Opening Beer

An IPA (ABV 6.9%) named after the address “275 Mission Ave” — the opening day beer. Massively hopped with 4 lbs of Mosaic per barrel. The original flagship IPA.

📊 Flavor Profile (Chillzner)

Flavor ElementIntensity (1–5)Character
🟠 Bitterness2/5Noble hop-derived soft bitterness
🟢 Sweetness2/5Clean pilsner malt sweetness
🔵 Acidity1/5Minimal · smooth finish
🟣 Body2/5Light-medium · dry and crisp
🟡 Aroma3/5Herbal · floral · grainy

🌮 The Ultimate Beer & Tacos Combo

Craft Coast’s greatest appeal is the completely integrated brewery-restaurant space. With the fully open brewing equipment visible, guests enjoy authentic tacos — carne asada, birria, adobada — wrapped in handmade tortillas alongside their craft beers. The concept that “tacos and beer are inseparable culture” is rooted in respect for the border culture of Baja California.

The San Marcos location features a custom-designed food trailer, offering the same culinary experience in a different format. A growing catering division serves weddings and corporate events.

🏆 Overall Rating

★★★★☆
4.2/5
Born during COVID, GABF Gold in 4 years — GABF Gold Chillzner + scratch Baja tacos = the uniquely SoCal experience
Riho-kun
Riho-kun

Chillzner’s smooth, crisp pilsner paired with birria tacos was a condensed experience of Southern California food culture. The story of opening during COVID and going on to win GABF Gold makes this brewery’s momentum feel absolutely real. A beer in the Pacific Oceanside air is something special.

✈️ Plan Your San Diego / Oceanside Trip

✈️ Book Your San Diego Trip

※ Contains affiliate links

📸 From My Instagram Visit

❓ FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat tacos with my beer?

Absolutely! True to their ‘Beer & Tacos’ concept, they serve a full Mexican taco menu — fish tacos, carnitas, chicken, and seasonal specials. Craft beer and tacos pairing is quintessentially SoCal.

How do I get to Craft Coast in Oceanside?

About 45 miles north of downtown San Diego via I-5 North (~45 min by car). You can also take Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or COASTER commuter train to Oceanside Station, then use ride-share.

What beer styles do they specialize in?

They focus on West Coast IPAs, Hazy IPAs, and sour ales — often inspired by local Southern California citrus and produce. The selection is curated to complement their taco menu.

ルネちゃん
ルネちゃん
Does beer really pair well with tacos?
りほくん
りほくん
It’s one of the best food-beer combos ever! West Coast IPA bitterness cuts through taco spiciness perfectly. Fish taco + citrus IPA is basically the quintessential San Diego food experience!
ホプくん
ホプくん
Winning GABF Gold in 2024 after founding during COVID is incredibly inspiring! To maintain quality and passion through those difficult years, then get recognized at the highest level — that’s the spirit of craft brewing!
ルネちゃん
ルネちゃん
Is Oceanside a good place to visit beyond the brewery?
りほくん
りほくん
Yes! Oceanside has a historic wooden pier, beautiful beaches, and a charming downtown. It’s the northernmost city in San Diego County and has its own unique coastal character. The craft beer scene here is booming!

🍻 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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