The 2025 Craft Beer Con draws near and will unfold on Tuesday, August 5, at MiraCosta College's San Elijo campus in Cardiff. As reported by FOX5 San Diego, this gathering is tailored for industry insiders and the hop-curious public, featuring educational panels, networking opportunities, and an array of craft beer tastings.
Starting at 11:30 a.m., the event, presented by the San Diego Brewers Guild, promises a trio of learning tracks alongside a day-long trade show, culminating in a happy hour from 4 to 5 p.m. Tickets are fetching a price of $70 for the general crowd and $60 for Guild members; these include a midday meal provided by Locally Toasted Delicatessen courtesy of Culver Beer Co., and for the record, you won't want to miss out on the unlimited beer samplings during the finale of the day. "As always, we welcome anyone and everyone who has an interest in craft beer," Erik Fowler, the San Diego Brewers Guild executive director, told FOX5 San Diego.
The event's pinnacle is anticipated to be the “Founding Voices of SD Beer” panel, which will bring together local brewing legends. Among the speakers are Paul Segura of Karl Strauss Brewing Company and Tom Nickel, who helms O’Brien’s Pub and established Nickel Beer Company. Furthermore, according to information obtained by San Diego Beer News, Tomme Arthur from The Lost Abbey Brewing Co. and Colby Chandler, formerly of Ballast Point Brewing, will join the discussion, offering their insights on the beer scene's transformative journey in the region.
Attendees of the Craft Beer Con can select from educational tracks that shed light on various facets of the beer universe, such as taproom engagement, beer styles, and strategies for distribution success. One particular session will focus on wet hop beers, unique creations that join the beer lineup once a year post-harvest, shared San Diego Beer News. These sessions aim to enrich participants with knowledge transcending the mere enjoyment of a pint.
Alongside the Craft Beer Con, MiraCosta College's BrewTech Program, which has crafted a 210-hour curriculum to mold future production brewers, is lending its production expertise. And for those looking down the road, the Craft Beer Con is a prelude to the 17th Annual San Diego Beer Week, slated for November 7-16, an affair that lures thousands of beer enthusiasts from everywhere to revel in the craft scene's vitality. San Diego, often dubbed the 'Capital of Craft,' houses over 150 independent breweries.
