December 1, 2009
Very unsuspecting location with an amazing bottle and tap list. Mellow atmosphere with good service. All they need is a package license and this place would be incredible. The only downside is the hipster sort of crowd and the prices.

November 28, 2009
Toronado SD is definitely possibly the best beer bar that I have been to on the west coast. Better selection than the one up in SF, and a lot cleaner and friendlier atmosphere, though it doesn’t quite have the same charm. Outstanding draught selections from local breweries, plus plenty of others. Killer bottle selection as well, and they keep it right in back of the bar so you don’t have to play guessing games. Excellent prices. They had like three Belgian witbiers on tap when I was there over the summer. I kid you not.

August 22, 2009
Went in on a Friday night and had no wait to get a seat. The tap/bottle selection is fantastic and the service was much better than the SF location (although that was part of what I liked so much about the San Fran spot). I didn’t get a chance to try any of the food but it looked damn good. I’ll be returning sometime soon and updating this rating.

August 5, 2009
Lots of Port IPA and IIPA’s on tap, along with other SD goodies. Nice bottle list as well. A bit too clean to be Toronado! What I imagine SF was in around ’88.

June 30, 2009
I guess this has quickly grown into the must-hit spot in San Diego. I visited this place exactly one week before the San Francisco original and I must say the selection is very, very similar. At least 50% of the taps were common and 80% of the bottles. My sample is small, but San Diego had the better selection of the 2, including rarities like Cable Car (45$) and Russian River Toronado (I don’t remember the price, but I believe above 70$). Otherwise, the prices are democratic and the draught selection is crazily good. It does not get much better, many places have a larger menu, but that large a menu with that impressive a quality puts it top 10 in the US. Besides that, I quite enjoyed the feel of the place despite it being very packed even on a Tuesday night. It’s not very warm nor home-like, but is comfortable and plain beer-geek friendly. With a seat, I’d definitely spend an evening here. It’s nor pretentious by any means, with simple beer-related decoration and a relatively young, beer-geek heavy crowd. The one place which annoyed me a ton though if when they launched the last call around 11:45. Why close so early? And then I was simply insulted when the bell rang and the staff began kicking everybody out, not giving them an extra minute to finish their barley wines, having put all the chairs on the tables by 12:02 and launching threats at remaining customers who ’break the law’ by remaining there past midnight. A pathetic scene.

June 7, 2009
Nice place, clean and nice atmosphere. The beer selection is naturally amazing, excellent tap and bottle list. Happy hour pricing is very good, $4.00 pints of speedway, elder, etc. Bottles are expensive though (but rare). I have tasted Cable Car, Toronado 20th, and proximus at this location! Food is good. Definitely a place to stop by if you are in the area.

May 24, 2009
Drove down for the 1st anniversary..I like this place a ton more than the San Francisco version. First parking is SOO MUCH EASIER than the other place, it is also well lit, not as crowded and a lot more spacious... I could actually get a table....Selection is a killer in both bottles and tap, it can’t be beat! Food is quite good too, at least sausage/sandwich wise... Beer lovers congregate, and it is a fun place...will return when I am in the area!

February 17, 2009
If you are in San Diego and do not stop by for at least one drink, you are beyond help. The beer list is obviously legendary but honestly the food was fantastic too. Obviously trying to develop a pub feel with darker wood and glassware displays, but this place is only going to get better and more worn-in with time. The double pane door at the entrance is classic and welcoming. Actually brought our daughter with us and she spent the early evening chasing Ian’s daughter around the place.

February 7, 2009
Just like their brother up in SF, I feel like you can always count on this place to have the hookup. Not only Cable Car, CdT and Firestone 12 on the bottle list, but in the CASE where anyone can see them. Just tight. On my last visit the barback was the nicest and most helpful, while the bartenders were absolute spazz attacks. Still a flat-out must-stop in San Diego proper.

January 30, 2009
One of the best places for brew in San Diego. Amazing selection of beers on draft and in bottle. Try to stay away from the bottle list.....WAY over priced.