Participants engage with local breweries at the Craft Beer Con.
The 2025 Craft Beer Con will be held at MiraCosta College’s San Elijo campus in Cardiff, bringing together industry leaders and enthusiasts for a day of education and networking. The event will feature a trade show, educational tracks focused on brewing, sales, and hospitality, along with a panel discussion on the evolution of San Diego’s beer scene. Attendees can enjoy a catered lunch, unlimited tastings during a happy hour, and opportunities to engage with the craft beer community. Tickets are priced at $70 for general admission and $60 for Brewers Guild members.
The 2025 Craft Beer Con is set to take place on Tuesday, August 5, at MiraCosta College’s San Elijo campus in Cardiff, providing a platform for industry leaders and enthusiasts to come together. The event, hosted by the San Diego Brewers Guild, is a half-day conference that will be open to the public, featuring a variety of educational tracks, networking opportunities, and a vibrant trade show.
The conference will kick off at 11:30 a.m. with an anticipated daylong trade show that seeks to engage brewers, beer aficionados, and industry professionals. Attendees will have access to three educational tracks focused on brewing, sales, and hospitality, designed to foster professional growth within the industry. An important highlight includes a panel discussion titled “Founding Voices of SD Beer,” where pioneering figures will reflect on the evolution of San Diego’s beer landscape.
Participants will also enjoy a catered lunch provided by Locally Toasted Delicatessen of Culver Beer Co., further promoting a sense of community among attendees. The conference will conclude with a happy hour that offers unlimited tastings, allowing participants to unwind and network effectively after a day of learning and discussion.
Tickets for the event are available at a price of $70 for general admission, while members of the Brewers Guild can purchase tickets for $60. This pricing structure aims to ensure accessibility for all who wish to partake in the conference’s offerings.
The craft beer industry has seen significant growth in San Diego County, which is home to over 150 independent craft breweries today, a remarkable increase from just 15 breweries in 1997. This expansion showcases San Diego’s reputation as a hub for craft beer innovation and creativity. However, the previous year also witnessed a record number of brewery closures due to various economic challenges and shifting consumer preferences.
In a landscape where changing drinking habits have led about 40% of Americans to consume less alcohol, the resilience of the industry is evident. Despite the closures, there were six new brewing companies that launched in the past year, indicating a trend toward consolidation rather than overwhelming stagnation. Notably, Athletic Brewing, a significant player in the non-alcoholic beer market, reported growth amid these changing consumption patterns.
The Craft Beer Con will precede the annual San Diego Beer Week, which is scheduled from November 7 to November 16, 2025. This timing enhances opportunities for participants to deepen their engagement with the craft beer scene, network with peers, and explore new brewing practices.
The Craft Beer Con represents a vital opportunity for those involved in the craft beer industry to gather, learn, and share experiences, further strengthening the community and encouraging innovation in a continually evolving market.
This year’s conference emphasizes the importance of professional development and networking within the craft beer sector, reinforcing San Diego’s status as a cornerstone of the beer community in the United States.
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