Tijuana Adventure

Tijuana Adventure Beer Guide 2024-2025

Written by Matingas 

Update Version 1.1 – August 2024

Deleted Bajer because it shutdown. It was replaced by the iconic bar “El Zebra.” They are known for caguamas and craft beer. It’s always packed. I haven’t been able to check it out. Farewell to Bajer, it was a short but good run.

I deleted the scores. Breweries change too often to be rated on a general precise score.

I deleted Sci-Hop Brewing because it’s uncertain it will be around. 

Intro

Welcome craft beer aficionado (my fellow drunk). I’ve been covering Baja’s beer scene since 2013. My first cover story in a magazine about beer was for the San Diego Reader in 2016. Over a dozen cover stories followed. I’ve been an avid drinker, honest critic, hop explorer, heavy researcher, and brewery tour guide ever since. I’ve taken hundreds of people from all over the world to my favorite breweries, bars, and taprooms in this chaotic city. Whenever a new brewery opens or there’s a beer release, I’m the first to try it.

If you are in Tijuana (or will be) and are a beer lover, this guide is for you. None of the breweries paid me for this, comments are my own. I do this for the love of beer and this city. And money. 

I appreciate your support. 

Short History

Though Tijuana was founded in 1899, there wasn’t much in the city until the Volstead Act of 1919. Fleeing the teetotaler regime, California restaurants, bars, and cantinas moved south of the border. The first brewery in Baja, Cervecería Mexicali, was founded in 1923. Separated by 133 miles, Mexicali provided beers to Tijuana and established Mexicali Beer Hall. It was also known as “The Longest Bar in the World” or La Ballena (the Whale). The bar was over 100 yards long and it was established in the 1920s. Back then, they sold pints of beer for 5 to 10 cents (around $1 in today’s money). It shut down in the 1950s. Cerveza Mexicali, the brewery, was bought.

Tijuana was all the rage in Hollywood during prohibition. It attracted all sorts of celebrities including actors, jazz musicians, and other important figures to the likes of Al Capone. Some stories are legends, some hold true, and the truest of all is the invention of the Caesar Salad in Tijuana in 1924 by Cesar Cardini. The restaurant has an amber ale brewed by Cervecería Olvera. You have to ask for the house beer and it’s a hit or miss.

Just 38 miles away from Tijuana is Tecate, where the brewery was founded in 1943. It was the first commercial beer in Mexico to be sold in a can. Just eleven years later, in 1954, the brewery was sold to Grupo Cervecero Cuauhtémoc. It is a flagship beer of the region and you will find Tecate for cheap in most bars and stores in Baja.

Commercial big beer dominated the scene until the early 2000s when Cerveza Cucapá (from Mexicali) and Cerveza Tijuana entered the market. They were both later sold to big beer conglomerates, leaving space for more craft beer projects. Now there are more than 100 breweries in Baja, many of them in Tijuana, and more are opening. 

All the breweries were babies when I arrived in Tijuana in 2012. I’ve seen them grow from homebrews producing just a handful of barrels a month to a massive beer industry. Many projects have come and gone. 

There are indeed politics to beer in Baja, as brewers, beertenders, and other staff jump from brewery to different projects and establishments. And the fate of the industry might depend on who the current governor of the state is. The main Insurgente plant got shut down by the former governor, Jaime Bonilla, reportedly because his brother lived nearby and he disliked the noise. The brewery survived, thanks in part to friendly breweries leasing their space and equipment to help out brewers in distress. But Insurgente’s main site was clausurado. Whenever new governors show up, breweries (and other businesses) run the risk of being shut down by new regulations or permits that the new office creates as it sees fit. Still, as Tijuana keeps growing at a rapid pace, so does the thirst for quality and innovative craft beers. As a result, there is no room for mistakes like there used to be, if a brewery serves anything subpar, it is quickly left behind.

As I was finishing this guide, two breweries closed, one changed their head brewer, kitchens moved around, and new projects were announced. The scene is everchanging. To keep up with the latest, follow me on social media and check updates on this guide. 

Guide:

Downtown Tijuana. 

Locations are listed geographically from North to South. Most breweries charge from 70 to 120 pesos ($4-8) per pint. Almost every place opens daily from 2 p.m. to midnight. Sundays and Mondays most close early. Some places are not open on Mondays and Tuesdays.

1. Border Psycho Cantina

Border Psycho has been in the beer scene since 2012, brewing from a spot in Colonia Independencia. They used to have a taproom in Plaza Fiesta. Those days are gone and the glass dildos that decorated the beer taps are now situated in what used to be “La Ballena” in downtown Tijuana. Your first stop on your Tijuana beer hopping experience, Border Psycho usually has a handful of guest beers as well as 10+ taps of their beer characterized by going heavy on their ABV. They also offer a full cocktail bar with mezcal, sotol, and other liquors.

Beer: Their Imperial Brutal Stout is popular amongst the crowd of dark beers and high ABV while their Perversa is a solid double IPA on the maltier side. They once brewed a Grodziskie in 2016, it was the first time I tried that style and I loved it. Belga Psicotica, a play on words in Spanish meaning psychotic cock, a black saison is their most awarded beer. 

Food: Chicken wings, burgers, hot dogs, pizza, nachos, and more classic pub food. It is plentiful, cheap, and good for when drunk (and at a party). I recommend the sopes for something different. On my most recent visit, they updated the menu and it looks better than before.

Ambiance: Long bar, biker gang decor, a couple of TVs usually showcasing sports (especially NFL, it’s a Steeler Nation bar), and another room with more TVs and photos of a naked woman next to fermentation tanks. The second floor features rotating art, not always available. There are events occasionally with live music or other performances. The bathrooms are gross (they got better on my last visit, but still ew).

Location: Between 2nd and 3rd Street on Revolución. 

Other Locations: Playami Bar in Playas and a location in Santa Fe that one of the owners told me was on their way out (by the time you read this, it’s gone).

Price: 80-100 per pint. Food seems to be better. Will need to update before this goes to print.

2. Mamut Brewery

Mamut is the oldest brewery in downtown and it is located in one of the oldest buildings, the “Foreign Club.” Back in the 1930s, hotel lobbies were decorated with a chapel, which is the hub that welcomes you to the brewery. Mamut’s beer quality has been a rollercoaster, but for the past few years, they have steadily been cruising in the right direction delivering beers of all styles including what became my favorite, a berry sour called “Meta Pink Skin” that makes my mouth pucker by just typing the name. They recently won gold medals with their Bandido beer, an American porter, and Mastodonte, their Imperial Stout. The food menu is extensive with some hits and misses, but extremely cheap (go for the pizza). My only wish is that they could fix their slow service issues. 

Beer: It rarely disappoints and usually nails every style to exactly what it is supposed to be. One of my top-rated breweries in the city. Warning: Their high-ABV beers don’t even taste very alcoholic. 

Food: Cheap and decent pizza. Big burgers and fries, people love them, I’m not a fan. Chicken wings are basic. I recommend getting a cazuela de pulpo, a ton of melted cheese with octopus (or you can choose other ingredients in your cazuela). For some reason, they give you bread instead of tortillas (it would be so much better with tortillas).

Ambiance: Live music almost every weekend including jazz, DJs, and even the singer of Café Tacuba likes to make appearances in the brewery to play DJ sets. The building is historical and pretty big. There is art by artists Teak and Libre on the walls as well as other mounted pieces and an oven shaped like a mammoth. Fermentation tanks and mashers are visible, get there early if you want to smell the process. It has a mezcal and cocktail room to the side. The balcony has views of Calle Tercera. The bathrooms are slightly better than Border Psycho.

Location: 3rd Street between Revolución and Constitución. 

Other Locations:

Mamut “Classic” Pasaje Rodríguez

Mamut didn’t start in that big building but on the second floor of a small art gallery in Pasaje Rodriguez. They soon moved to have their own locale in the Pasaje (and eventually to the aforementioned space). The space is tiny, but it’s where it all started. Only enough space for five small tables, four kegs, and a fridge filled with freshly canned brews. The food from upstairs is available in the alley. Chilling in the artsy hipster space of Pasaje Rodriguez feels like the most downtown Tijuana thing you can do (service is also better). You will find me here often.

There is also a Mamut in Playas and another one in LOCATION.

Price: 60-100 pesos per pint with 20 pesos off before 6 pm and all day Tuesday. Excellent value. Cheapest beer for great quality. Food is also cheap but not the best, still worth it. 

3. República de Hops Underground and Above Ground

To find this brewery, you have to go through a semi-hidden narrow corridor known as Pasaje México. The corridor expands to an underground two-floor space filled with curious shops, art galleries, cafes, a bakery, bookstores, and concepts that come and go. This space used to host a handful of tiny breweries, but now there’s only one, la República de Hops. The brewery’s original name was Corsario, but a different brewery (Lúdica) already had a beer with that name. Head brewer Isaias Medina had to scramble for a different name and landed on República de Hops a Spanglish name for a Spanglish region (hops in Español is lúpulos). But don’t let the name fool you, Isaias brews all sorts of styles of beer and not only hoppy ones. I found all of them to be on point. The art style for his labels and the surrounding area was done by an artist known as “Moser” drawings as great and creative as the beers.

Beer: Underrated and great, though they are still pretty new that quality can change. They’ve had great hoppy beers. They had great hefeweizens. But lately, I haven’t seen them repeat those beers, and seem to have more guest beers. Despite this, I trust Republica de Hops will continue to push out quality beers of all kinds and not just as its name implies, just hoppy ones.

Food: Depends if you go to the underground or the above ground. The underground has the old cook from Madueño, he is creative and is doing great new dishes (his adobada pizza is great). It’s only been a short time of him in that kitchen, so we’ll see how it goes. The above kitchen has a classic menu of burgers, wings, and others. The burgers (and sliders) are great and some other things are rescuable (tuna tostadas are nice). Avoid the fish and chips. The menu says it’s the best of the house, but I think it was the worst they have to offer. Their wings are also bad. 

Ambiance:  Underground has live music and it has a punk feel to it. The above has more of a preppy feel. 

Location: Underground is in Pasaje Gómez between 3rd and 4th Street (alley on Revolución). The above spot is in Pasaje Sonia an alley between 4th and 5th Street before Caesar’s Restaurant.

Price: Everything is fairly priced. Pints are between 60-100 pesos. They also have cocktails in the 120-200 range. The burger is expensive but also huge. 

4. Norte Brewing Co.

The views. The magnificent views. This was the spot that was on my first cover in 2016 and the cover of my book. It was brand new then and it has only gotten better since. When taking tourists to this hidden brewery, I would often fool them as if I made a mistake along the lines of “I forgot something in my car, accompany me to this parking lot.” Then have their minds blown when I show them where we have arrived. Norte is hidden inside the 5th floor of the “pyramid” parking lot and it offers some of the best views of the city. What used to be a strip club has been transformed into a neat brewery with classic styles and a simple pub menu of wings, nachos, and burgers (get the three-cheese burger). Get there at sunset for maximum enjoyment. 

Beer: It’s sometimes great, it’s sometimes standard, it’s never outstanding, it’s never mediocre. The only consistent style is their stout on nitro (called Foreign Club). The rest of the time I ask the beertender which is the best and he serves me that (usually their hoppy ale Ticket to Ride). All the rest go to a standard rating with nice surprises here and there. 

Food: Parmesan fries and the three-cheese burger are great. The rest is decent but expensive. 

Ambiance: The view is magnificent but the enclosed bar tends to get loud. It is a great experience for a sunset or a romantic date. It is also great for tours to surprise newcomers to the city. 

Location: Hidden in the parking lot of “Foreign Club” between 3rd Street and 4th Street in Revolución. Go inside the parking lot as if you were looking for your car, find the elevator, punch 5 for the fifth floor, and voilà!

Price: Expensive. Some pints go over 100 pesos. The white parmesan and truffle sauce is great but they charge extra for it. Food is quality but you are paying nearly 20 dollars or more for a burger. 

5. Cerveza Insurgente Tap Room

Clausurado! The government shut down one of Tijuana’s most popular breweries a couple of years ago over some silly drama and until this day, they are still clausurados. Fear not, Insurgente opened a taproom on 4th Street (Calle Cuarta) on what used to be the short-lived Cervecería Tijuana taproom. Fear yes, they are popular that on the weekends and during events expect delays to be seated and some kegs to be dry. The kitchen was handled by José Figueroa of La Carmelita with a project he called El Casimiro, but he left and the new menu is nothing that formidable. Everything that Insurgente does is usually of superb quality, everything is recommended.

Beer: It’s the best for many locals (and many Mexicans) who are loyal to their hoppy one “La Lupulosa.” Besides their most popular IPA, they have five other classic beers always on tap that are consistent in quality. Seasonal beers can be a hit or a miss with many being outstanding. 

Food: I still need to try it but I’ve heard mixed reviews trending towards the negative (especially after they had one of the best). I’ve had some of the quinoa salad and it was decent. 

Ambiance: Street views of Revolución and lovely staff who often play great music make this place a hit. 

Location: The corner of 4th Street and Revolución.

Other Locations: Their main plant in Juan Cordero near the Lincoln Statue is superb. The upper area has great views of the city. They have another location in Cacho that can be skipped unless you are in the area and you love Insurgente.

Price: 80-100 pesos pints. Food varies by location but it’s fairly priced. 

Update: One of the brewers left to join Teorema. Line beers are the same, but their newest beers have been more miss than a hit. It’s definitely a downgrade for now.

6. Mexica Cervecería Artesanal

Mexica Cervecería used to be Azteca Brewery located hidden in a corner of Pasaje Gómez. The original brewery was led by the late José López. It is now led by his successors, the team of sisters: Ximena and Karla López. They relocated to 4th Street right below Insurgente’s taproom and rebranded to Mexica. Their new spot has exposed brick, tall ceilings, cute cacti, and Mexican-themed decorations. An open alley with a few tables that could be expanded to a larger venue. The menu seems to change every time I visit, but it’s decent quality with creative ideas like their porter beer popsicle. 

Beer: It’s mostly always bad but with a gem here and there. They need much improvement if they want to compete in the current scene. Go here if you want to support women brewers and if you believe they can do better.

Food: The menu changes constantly but it’s usually on the cheaper end and decent.

Ambiance: The owner likes house music so you’ll mostly listen to that. Sometimes they have decent events. 

Location: On 4th Street between Revolución and Madero (below Insurgente and Pizza Records).

Price: Cheap to fair. 
 

7. Madueño Brewing Co.

Madueño was one of the last breweries to leave their cave-like spot in Plaza Fiesta and opened on the popular and renewed 6th Street (Calle Sexta). That spot was briefly a strip club in 2013, then turned into “Praga Cafe second edition,” later transformed into “Mamut party edition,” and finally into Madueño’s main drinking spot featuring PeeWee’s Ribs and Wings. There is some nerdiness to Madueño, his brews are usually a play on words with pop culture references. If you are a fan of the hazy trend of beers, then you’ll love Madueño. I gave him the nickname “the hazy lord master” for a reason. The other styles of beers are also of great quality, though I find his darker beers overwhelmingly sweet. As for the PeeWee’s food, cheese sticks breaded with Ruffles de queso and their boneless wings are what I would go for. 

Beer: Tends to be great, especially with the hazy beers but they are not consistent. There are many gems here and when he knows it, he brings up the price and his beer sells out quickly. 

Food: The last kitchen left… I think. Or maybe it’s still there. It tends to be a guest kitchen that is decent but nothing outstanding.

Ambiance: Somewhat nerdy. Both in beers and other subjects. A place for those who seek specialty beer. 

Location: 6th Street between Revolución and Madero.

Price: Fair to expensive. When there is a specialty beer, be prepared to spend almost double. 

Update: Violence in the city is pushing Madueño out of downtown and now is eyeing opening a tap room over La Cacho. Madueño will most likely be going to Cacho for 2025.

8. Silenus Cerveza Artesanal

Not much remains of what used to be the “legendary” bar Mous Tache. Just the bigote on the awning of the entrance. I saw countless bands from all over the world perform in the improvised venue on the back patio. Silenus Brewery, which also used to have a taproom in Plaza Fiesta, took over and gave it a fresh look. All the grime that punks left behind has been replaced with a colorful patio with pretty plants. What used to be $2 for spoiled Negra Modelo has been replaced with $4-5 pints of Silenus Craft. What used to be a Chinese lady yelling “Chun Kun” to sell her egg rolls for $1 has been replaced with solid choices of Japanese-style sandos by Etéreo Panadería (grilled cheese, salami, and on my visit, steak). 

Beer: They don’t produce much, but the latest batches of beer I’ve had from there have been more than good towards greatness. A lot of guest beers to choose from as well. 

Food: Another place that has guest kitchens that come and go. The last burger I had there was tasty but it gave me the runs. I haven’t had much food from there since. It doesn’t look bad, but there are better spots.

Ambiance: When it’s kicking it like Mous Tache, this is my favorite hangout and place for live music. When it’s not, then it’s a quiet tap room. 

Location: Madero between 6th and 7th Street.

Price: Cheap to fair. 

Location: Between 6th and 7th Street on Revolución.

10. Teorema Cervecería

From love, we move to divorce. The shared taproom between Teorema Cervecería and Lúdica Cervecería is now all Teorema. Lúdica has gone seeking greener pastures over at Valle de Guadalupe while also serving at their brewery near “El Mercado de Todos.” Teorema holds their main spot in “Revu” as Tijuana’s tallest downtown building gets built next to them. Most of their beers are named something eloquent. It’s all about math, geometry, balance, and other dimensions for this brewery (Teorema translates to theorem). They are now also serving cheesy melt sandwiches on toasted buttery bread with hints of oregano. 

Beer: Not consistent but it tends to be good. It has some funky experiments found nowhere else (think coffee with sours). They just got a new brewer this year, so I’ll have to come back and update this.

Food: The kitchen has changed a lot, and I haven’t had the latest one. However, I know the chef and he tends to do good stuff (nothing amazing).

Ambiance: I like it! And that’s why you find me there. It’s vibrant. It has good music. It has cute beertenders. It has chess if you are into that. And on Sundays, there is stand-up comedy.

Location: Between 6th and 7th on Revolución (after Bajer).

Update: They got a new brewer (formerly from Insurgente). There have been some great ones, there have been some bad ones. Adjustments are being made. It’s interesting.

11. 1993 Beer / Cervecería 1993

One of the newest breweries by one of the youngest brewers in town, Abraham “el Ham” Rodríguez (the name represents the year he was born). Previously brewing with Mamut, I partially credit Ham for fixing their brews and setting a quality standard. Now he co-founded and is the head brewer for a new brewery with colorful cans and art by the tattoo artist known simply as “Shemo.” 93’ started serving their beers at “Omerta Cafe” a classy coffee shop at the end of Revu in what feels like colonial Mexico instead of the dirty old Teejay. In the late summer of 2021, 93’ Beer opened its own taproom that also functions as a restaurant and club (with an undisclosed dress code, this writer was rejected for having a backpack, and others have been rejected for wearing sandals or shorts). 

Beer: It’s very well done with some gems. It’s sometimes basic but still well done. 

Food: The kitchen has changed a few times. On my latest visit, Santa Teresa Cookhouse ran the kitchen. They have CostCo-style hotdogs with slight modifications and a decent ceviche. Prices are fair. Would eat again.  

Ambiance: I dislike it but you might love it. It’s for young kids. It’s more of a club than a brewery. It gets packed past midnight with live DJs with a rave-like feel. 

Location: Between 6th and 7th on Madero (after Silenus).

Price: The new kitchen has fair prices. Sometimes there’s a cover charge for the club. 

12. Rámuri Cervecería

Founded by gastronomer Sergio Michel, Rámuri is one of the oldest breweries in Tijuana. Like many others, Rámuri had a taproom in Plaza Fiesta that is now gone. Their new tasting room is located near the end of the city, at the skirts of Cerro Colorado, in a spot they share with Three Brothers BBQ (a kitchen endeavor by chef Giovanni Brassea). The logo (a foot with wings) and name Rámuri come from Tarahumara natives from the state of Chihuahua: the Rarámuris (“rara” — foot, and “muri” — run). Their imperial cacao stout, Lagrimas Negras, was one of the first heavy beers introduced to the area, and remains a favorite amongst locals, while their lager, Diablo Blanco, became one of the first craft beers for commercial palates.

Beer: Only had them bottled. It’s commercial. It passes the test, but it’s nothing special. People praise them for their high-ABV stout.

Food: I’m going to wait and see.

Ambiance: I’ve never really found a location for them and the new location hasn’t opened yet… 

Location: Old Funes location in front of old Telefónica location (between 11th and 12th on not Madero).

Price: Non-existent

The Rest of Tijuana:

13. Bosiger Brewery

The only one to stay behind in Plaza Fiesta after the exodus was Bosiger Beer Brewery. In contrast to most of the brewers in Baja, who are influenced mostly by San Diego beers, Demian Bosiger (owner and head brewer) is influenced by his dad, who is from Switzerland (and the owner of Sotano Suizo, a Swiss-inspired bar and oldest establishment in Plaza Fiesta). “I was in a supermarket in Playas when I yelled an audible ‘Woohoo!’” says Demian, recalling when he found he had won medals in the beer competition, including best small brewery in Mexico. More than twenty years ago, Demian started homebrewing in Playas de Tijuana, near the border wall. While other brewers fled the Plaza, Demian moved his brewery right across from his father’s bar. Sticking to his European roots, Bosiger’s beers stick to traditional styles of clear lagers, porters, and stouts, perfecting a New Zealand lager gave Bosiger the gold medal. But Demian likes to dabble with experimental beers, such as a curry porter concoction and the silver award-winning Guayaba Catharina Sour.

Beer: Boring ass labels but it gets the job done. Best lagers in town and specialty beers do not fall far behind. Hoppys are solid but nothing amazing.

Food: Sotano Suizo food which is great and cheap.

Ambiance: Older generation crowd. The ones that go to Sotano Suizo but like craft beer.

Location: Plaza Fiesta

Price: Decent.

14. Cerveza Lírica

The most popular and replicated food court in Tijuana, Telefónica Gastro Park, is home to Cervecería Lírica. The brewery sits in the middle of the dozens of restaurants that form the park. The visible beer fermenters have names of musicians like Bowie, Marley, and Madonna; you can watch the team of brewers at work. The names of the beers have musical connections. Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto is a crisp rice Japanese lager. Or try Rocket Man Imperial Porter. It is led by brewer Josue Davila Crespo, who used to be the brewer for Mamut in its very early stages. Josue jumped from brewery to multiple projects until finally settling in Teléfonica, where he has been brewing the best of his work.

Beer: I wish I had the right answer but it’s very inconsistent. Coin toss. It might be decent. It might make you sad.

Food: Large variety in the gastro park and that is why people flock here. The better restaurants have left the building. The best are Otto’s Grill, Creta, and Humo (and whatever Giovanni Brassea does). It used to be better, but there is no denying it’s still good and great for tourists. 

Ambiance: Modern family-friendly gastro park with a variety of food and even a cat! 

Location: Boulevard Agua Caliente.

Price: Getting on the pricier side but still worth it.

16. Lúdica Cervecería

Established in 2014 under brewers Gustavo del Castillo and Ivan García, Lúdica won the best small brewery in Mexico back in 2019 (the same title that belongs to Bosiger in 2021). They closed their taproom in downtown Tijuana and opened the doors to their warehouse, where they brew in a residential neighborhood situated near ‘El Mercado de Todos’. This hard-to-find space leads to a warm open picnic patio; there, you can find their award-winning line of beers (Session IPA, single hop pale ale, Baja Lager, stouts, and more) as well as their rotating experimental beers. Lúdica opened a taproom in the middle of Valle de Guadalupe surrounded by wineries. Their slogan reads: “Our beers have a slice of what life in Baja is all about: optimistic, free, and spontaneous.” Or their shorter slogan “Un cachito de la Baja.”

Beer: Great sours with escarchado. Experimental beers can be hit or miss. The rest is solid.

Food: Like many breweries, the kitchen has changed. On my last visit, we got chicken nuggets and fries. They were okay.

Ambiance: Brewery warehouse space in a neighborhood. It’s very chillax and enjoyable.

Location: It’s going to be hard to find if you are not a local.

Price: Fair.

17. Farland Aleworks

It’s only been a year since Farland Aleworks opened in “La Veinte de Noviembre” neighborhood (near the Xolos Stadium). Investing more than a million dollars, Farland set a new standard if you want to be competitive in the Baja beer scene. The brewery did not cut any corners; everything is pristine, the branding, the food, and the beer (in any style). They built a big four-story building alluding to a galactic brewery, the space theme continues into the bathrooms. Their hazy pale ale Yoda the Gentleman, recently won bronze in the San Diego International Beer Competition.

Beer: Damn clean and crisp nearly all. I’ve only had one bad beer there: a matcha IPA experimental beer. The rest have been solid. 

Food: Great pizza, free sometimes stale popcorn, and other specialties. Probably the worst chicken wings I’ve ever had. 

Ambiance: Leaning on the preppier side with a space exploration theme. They did a marvelous job with the design of the space.

Price: Fair for how nice it is. 

18. Deserto Tasting Room

Little Reyes left his dad at Reyes Brewery to start his project, Deserto. It’s far from the city in what is called “La Tercera Etapa del Río,” AKA the third Tijuana. The taproom is in a modern-looking building with (hotel apartments above). The first time I visited I was disappointed thinking I was going to see their production but it’s just a simple bar. The beers were not much to brag about, they all tasted watered down. But I’ve encountered Deserto beer here and there with much better results. I need to visit again and update this text.

Beer: Doing a bit of everything he has been winning medals in competitions but when I went…

Food: A young chef with big ambitions is trying to do some solid stuff. 

Ambiance: If you live in that area of the city, it’s the oasis in the barren desert of no craft beers. 

Location: By the baseball stadium, here.

Price: On the cheaper end but average still.

Craft Beer Bars

Beer Garden

Around 40 beers on tap all in the range of 80-100 pesos. Alright cocktails and food. Great ambiance. I like their shitty little cheeseburger for 95 pesos. It’s one of the newest bars in Tijuana and still living its moment. We’ll see how long it lasts. 

Madero Tasting Room

Taproom with 10 specially curated beers with some of the best of what Baja and Mexico has to offer. Tiny bar. It might get a bigger space soon. I’ve seen a couple of kitchens come and go there. 

Public House

My first apartment in Tijuana was in front of this bar, but this place didn’t exist, it was just an empty house. Now it’s a popular bar in La Cacho with craft beer, cocktails, and food that can be a hit or miss. 

Casa Prado

Further down the city, near the Xolos stadium (and Farland) is a house turned bar. Young folks tend to flock here. More than 20 beers on tap and burgers that are decent. 

Nonis

If you are in Otay and want craft beer, head to Nonis. It’s more for college kids, so it’s on the cheaper end, commercial beer is cheap, and craft is regular. They have a variety of imported crafts that are overpriced, but if you want to splurge, go for it. 

Extras

Kaminari Brewing

Kaminari is a concoction of family names — the wife and kids of owner and brewer Carlos “Charlie” Navarro — and is the latest to leave the Plaza. His spot was a hidden terrace with a carne asada grill overlooking the human zoo that the plaza became. When Insurgente left the plaza, Charlie took the spot and began selling cheap shots to please the masses. But he has now joined the downtown gang of cerveceros on a tunnel-like spot right below his old neighbor Madueño (in a place he shares with Mestizo Bar). Kaminari hasn’t been in the new location for long, so there are plenty of adjustments to be made. But knowing him from his previous setup and many beer festivals, I know that Kaminari’s beers are on point. And he is one of the only brewers in Tijuana who constantly slings quality sours. Kaminari won two gold medals with Guayabo Tree, a Catharina Sour (Wild Ales), a Malt Seltzer (Experimental Beers), and a bronze medal with Sour Gozala Mojito (Berliners). Charlie teaches workshops on how to make homebrew.

And… Kaminari didn’t last long in his space downtown Tijuana. That place shut down mid-2023 and he hasn’t returned. You can still find his beers in breweries and tap rooms. He still slings award-winning sours. 

Pax Brewing

When I was putting together my first Reader cover on beer, there was a group of kids brewing experiments in a dark basement in downtown Tijuana under the name Baja Brew Labs (where Republica de Hops is now). The team was led by brothers Adrian and Luis Echavarria; Chabarri is a way to say their last name. The young team included Eduardo Quezada, who is the assistant brewer for Bosiger. “We brew wherever they let us brew,” says Luis of Bosiger, which is where they brewed their latest batch. You can find their “Pax” series (American IPA, British stout, and a dry hoppy “Roman” lager) in different bars and beer shops while they jump from brewery to brewery doing collaborations and limited series. If all bodes well, I expect them to have a taproom of their own in the upcoming years.

Outro

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The last update of this guide was on May 16th, 2024.