Protector Brewery was founded by a Navy SEAL veteran and opened its doors in 2017. It is San Diego’s first organic beer company and uses 100% renewable energy.
The Beer
The Big Board
Number of Taps
- 12 beers on tap, including one NA beer
- 41% of the beers were IPAs
Signature Beer
- Citra Juicy DIPA is Protector’s best seller in distribution. It won a bronze medal at the 2020 San Diego International Beer Competition and then a silver medal at the same competition in 2022.
“What’s the Best Thing Ya Got?”
- I was recommended the Wits End Belgian-style witbier, which had a nice Belgian spice character
A Little Help From My Friends
- Offerings on the day I visited included a Baltic porter collaboration with Bold Mariner Brewing of Norfolk, VA, and East Regiment Beer of Salem, MA
For the Couch
- Protector offers growler fills and also has a small refrigerated case with 4-pack cans
The Space
Indoor Capacity
- Indoor seating is right alongside the brewing tanks and consists of three tables with about 18 seats and 5 chairs at a small bar
Outdoor Space
- The brewery can expand capacity into the parking lot in the small industrial park, but had not done so on my uncrowded Wednesday visit because of the possibility of rain
Food Service
- Protector does not have its own food, but many other shops in the Miralani Makers’ District sell food, including counter-serve sushi and a bakery in this complex, and one of San Diego’s best barbeque restaurants across Miralani Drive.
Exit Through Gift Shop
- Hats and T-shirts are available for purchase. They also sell a Protector ‘tin tacker’, or metal beer sign.
The Scene
Protector is located in the Miralani Makers’ District, an industrial space for craft food and beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. https://www.instagram.com/miralanimakers/
Entertainment
- Two televisions are located above the bar for sports
Das Fressen 