27th Strong Ale Fest Comes to Carlsbad

One of San Diego’s longest craft beer traditions returns as Pizza Port Carlsbad hosts its 27th Annual Strong Ale Festival, a two-day celebration of bold, high-gravity brews and the vibrant beer community that has grown around them.

First launched in the late ’90s, the Strong Ale Festival has become a staple event for both Pizza Port and the region’s beer lovers. The festival showcases over 60 strong ales on draft, ranging from massively hopped double/triple IPAs and fruited sours to rich, barrel-aged stouts, alongside rare bottle selections available exclusively during VIP sessions.

This year brings an exciting element: every Pizza Port brewpub crafted a specialty beer exclusively for the festival, highlighting the range, creativity, and collaborative spirit across the brewery’s seven locations.

Across both days, guests can expect an impressive mix of high-gravity beers from celebrated breweries throughout California and beyond. From expressive triple IPAs to decadent barrel-aged releases, the Strong Ale Festival continues to showcase the craftsmanship and diversity that define the region’s beer scene.

Adding to the festivities, attendees can enjoy a plethora of food prepared throughout the weekend by Pizza Port Co-Owner Vince Marsaglia, bringing an elevated culinary touch and the signature Pizza Port hospitality that festivalgoers look forward to each year.

The festival will take place outdoors in the Pizza Port Carlsbad parking lot, transforming the coastal space into a lively, open-air venue filled with craft beer, community, and good cheer. Attendees can enjoy more than 60 strong ales, access to rare VIP-only bottles, and the energetic coastal atmosphere that has made the event a San Diego staple for nearly three decades. General Admission tickets are $50 for Friday's 5-9 pm session and $50 for Saturday's 1-5 pm session. Two-day VIP tickets are $100.