SD International Beer Festival — Grand Tasting

Liberty Station at dusk does something to beer. The old naval buildings, the open green space, the marine layer rolling in off the bay — it makes a tasting feel like a celebration instead of a transaction. The San Diego International Beer Festival Grand Tasting runs June 22, 2026 — evening session at NTC Park at Liberty Station, $65, the city's finest craft pours in one of San Diego's most beautiful outdoor settings.

The Grand Tasting is the flagship night: special and limited releases that don't appear at the weekend sessions, poured by the brewers themselves. San Diego has more craft breweries per capita than almost any city in the country, and this event assembles the best of them in one place.

Seventy-plus breweries. Unlimited tastings within the session window. Food trucks on site. The crowd skews toward people who can tell you the difference between a hazy IPA and a New England IPA and why it matters. Wear layers — it cools fast at Liberty Station once the sun drops. Tickets at sdinterbeerfest.com — not Ticketmaster or Eventbrite. Buy in advance; the Grand Tasting sells out most years. Limited capacity ensures the event stays walkable and lines stay manageable. Designated driver tickets are available. Plan to arrive at opening — early access means first pour at the freshest kegs before the evening crowd builds.