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Name: Encinitas Ale House
Address: 1044 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA, 92024
Telephone: (760) 943-7180
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.87

Encinitas Ale House

1044 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA, 92024

(760) 943-7180
Store is closed

Encinitas Ale House Menu

Burgers

Kid?s Burger 110g

Kid?s Cheeseburger 120g

Bacon Cheddar Burger 125g

Bacon Double Cheeseburger 250g

Big Buford® 230g

Bacon Buford® 255g

Bacon Swiss Buford® 250g

1/4 LB. Champ® 205g

1/4 LB. Champ® with Cheese 225g

1/4 LB. Bacon Cheese Champ® 235g

1/2 LB. Double Champ® 280g

1/2 LB. Double Champ® with Cheese 300g

Checkerburger® 170g

Checkerburger® with Cheese 179g

Cheese Double Cheese 190g

Chili Cheeseburger 135g

Double Chili Cheeseburger 180g

Double Decker 215g

Rallyburger® 170g

Rallyburger® with Cheese 179g

Smokehouse Buford® 265g

Triple Cheeseburger 250g

Healthy Meal suggestions for

Burgers

Kid?s Burger 110g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 28, Sodium (s): 570, Saturated Fat (ms) : 6, Calories: 280, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Kid?s Cheeseburger 120g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 29, Sodium (s): 730, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 320, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Bacon Cheddar Burger 125g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 29, Sodium (s): 730, Saturated Fat (ms) : 9, Calories: 370, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Bacon Double Cheeseburger 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 1340, Saturated Fat (ms) : 20, Calories: 650, Sugar (ms): 6 ]

Big Buford® 230g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1090, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 570, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Bacon Buford® 255g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1510, Saturated Fat (ms) : 21, Calories: 680, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Bacon Swiss Buford® 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 28, Sodium (s): 1310, Saturated Fat (ms) : 21, Calories: 660, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

1/4 LB. Champ® 205g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 490, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

1/4 LB. Champ® with Cheese 225g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 930, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 580, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

1/4 LB. Bacon Cheese Champ® 235g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 35, Sodium (s): 1230, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 630, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

1/2 LB. Double Champ® 280g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 1030, Saturated Fat (ms) : 25, Calories: 740, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

1/2 LB. Double Champ® with Cheese 300g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 34, Sodium (s): 1360, Saturated Fat (ms) : 28, Calories: 790, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Checkerburger® 170g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 680, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 390, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Checkerburger® with Cheese 179g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 420, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Cheese Double Cheese 190g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1140, Saturated Fat (ms) : 17, Calories: 510, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

Chili Cheeseburger 135g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 620, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 320, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Double Chili Cheeseburger 180g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 760, Saturated Fat (ms) : 14, Calories: 460, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Double Decker 215g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 720, Saturated Fat (ms) : 13, Calories: 480, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

Rallyburger® 170g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 680, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 390, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Rallyburger® with Cheese 179g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 420, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Triple Cheeseburger 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 1450, Saturated Fat (ms) : 23, Calories: 690, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Healthy Meal suggestions for CheckersRally

Burgers

Smokehouse Buford® 265g [ Sodium (s): 1610, Calories: 650, Sugar (ms): 15 ]

Visit below restaurant in Encinitas for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 1004 N El Camino Real )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 1068 N El Camino Real )

Write An Anonymous Review

Eric K.

I am somwhat remiss in not posting a review earlier. This is my happy place. I absolutely love the ale house. In fact it is one of my favorite places in the whole county. The beer's are crazy. Besides always having an unbelievable selection of beers on tap (they are constantly changing) but they have the most comprehensive list of bottled beers I've ever seen. The food is great. Not gourmet dining but the best hamburgers in North County. The pizzas are awesome and they even have a great sunflower salad for those trying to watch their figures. And incredibly, it's not the beer or the food that makes this place so special. It's the staff. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable and friendly crew anywhere....and they are not hard on the eyes! I can't say enough about the alehouse. It's worth the trip!
(5)
Melissa C.

This is a local exotic beer joint with awesome food! We typically split a bunch of dishes, the buffalo chicken or the shrimp salad or get a burger. They are super delish and plenty of food. I am not a beer drinker myself, but do find their small wine selection perfect! They have very friendly service despite always being packed! And their beer selection is to die for according to my friend. He drives all the way from Del Mar he loves it sooo much. If you keep the receipt they give you $5 off the next food tab.
(5)
James D.

I'm sure someone else might like the place but I don't. A big pet peeve of mine was violated. The waitress didn't write things down. Menu says fries are Cajun but came without flavor. The burger came raw. Burger was fixed but fries were not. Also asked for grilled onions which never appeared. My dinning partner asked for a salad with her burger which came with no dressing. Now this is a personal preference but the bacon was way too thick. It doesn't say thick bacon but felt like a bacon patty. Not going back. Way Better places around.
(2)
Justin A.

Beer Stop 92 ---- Meh. I really wanted to like Encinitas Ale house. I love Belgian Beer, so it was nice to find a bar that moved away from the traditional SD brewpub offerings. Some reviews complain about the lack of SD beer, but I see it the other way. In my mind, Encintas Ale House's beer list is a standout in the sea of IPA's found at other bars. The biggest downfall of Encinitas Ale House was service. My girlfriend and I sat down on a night where it wasn't busy. We were sitting around for a good 15 minutes and the bartender didn't even acknowledge us. I finally flagged down a waitress to take our beer order - she looks perplexed and says (not in a nice tone) "We have a bartender for that!!!!!". She ends up taking the order anyway seeing that the bartender is in his own little world. Anyway, the bartender finally comes over AFTER the waitress pours the drink and says "can I get you anything?". lolwut. Encinitas Ale House has such a good tap list. Maybe it was an off night, But come'on, bars are in the hospitality business. You should never have an off night this bad.
(2)
Mark M.

If you like good beer and you like good burgers, then you need to try Encinitas Ale house! The beer menu is longer than the Amazon river with beers on draft and in bottles that are hard to find anywhere else. The only thing more impressive than the beer menu is the burgers. I love burgers and they have the best burgers in san diego county (in my opinion)! They are 1/2 lb, cooked medium rare unless specified otherwise, and are super juicy! Plus they come with fries and most are $12 or less! The place is small with only a few tables but a decent size bar. It might be a bit difficult finding a table if your group is bigger than 5 people but I've never had a problem when I go in a group of 2. If you're not close to encinitas, you can also go to the La Jolla Public House which is pretty much an identical place, same menu and beer list. Give it a try!!
(5)
Cherish L.

Great place to eat and grab a couple of brewskis. I definitely recommend this place to invite friends! Excellent menu! Offered samples before we purchased a beer we actually liked and the waitress was cool. We will totally bring some friends and family here.
(5)
Erik G.

Located next to Swami's, and Catty Corner from Swami's Cafe....this is definitely a nice place to grab a craft brew. Their selection is excellent with no less than 20 beers on tap. Yes, the big names, some small micro brew names, as well as rare ones that crafty's seek out. The place is on the smaller side with tall tables near front bar, and 4-top flats on the back side. It's the quaintness of this place that makes this shine. The kinda place where most do and know each other, and a popular spot for a burger, wings, sliders, and tasty brew after surfing nearby. I like their 80 days/80 beers promo...if I lost everything in this world, maybe I'd go for that one... But for now I'll just come by for the occasional post-surfing or night out in Encinitas drinking hole :)
(4)
Micah C.

Random but true the salmon salad is pretty good. It has capers,chÃ¨vre cheese and red onion the key is the salmon its smoked and it comes with a squeeze of lemon. Who would have thought at a locally world famous burger joint you'd enjoy a salmon salad? I did. Oh Ya the beer menu is extensive thats a review in of itself. Just come visit and enjoy. The burgers looked amazing. Btw
(5)
Marcee W.

Enjoyed a great casual dinner with family. The White Stone Pizza was excellent, as was the Bleu Pear Salad. Of course, they feature a huge list of craft beer and I heard the burgers here are also amazing. Definitely worth visiting and I will definitely do so again next time I'm in town.
(4)
Alicia K.

Must try!!! The food is so yummy. I ordered the bootlegger burger with garlic fries. Omg the fries are amazing!!!!! The burger was really good too. So fresh . Our server was really good and so friendly. Not to sure what his name was but he likes the word RAD which we thought was awesome !!
(5)
Eos B.

No complaints about the beer. Had the beer sampler for $10 and was very satisfied. The best part was the atmosphere and the excellent service. You go here and you won't come out disappointed. The burger I had (the grass fed beef one) was just ok though. Maybe you will find it great. You'll have to come and try...
(4)
Bree B.

Tried two beers, drakes red eye ale and a mad river I think... Exceptional selection Ordered a cheese steak sandwich and sweet potato fries... SOO GOOD!! Sorry that we are out of Towners because this is a great spot! Might drive up from the OC to experience Encinitas again
(5)
James J.

Amazing selection of beer. Some really 'deep cuts' from brewery's you would not find normally anywhere else. Bartender was kind of just ok...but the guests were awesome. Day time crowd, we had good conversation with all of them. Id go back for their beer selection.
(5)
Mario L.

I've been here twice. Had a blast each time. I hear they have a cellar of brews from all over. I had a French Canadian beer, DerniÃ¨re VolontÃ©. In English it's Last Will, it was a nebulous color between amber and brown, it went down well. If you ask for the specials they will tell you about two burgers that are not on the menu. When I arrived they had the Trio and another. I remember the Trio because I ordered it with onion rings. The burger and rings were extraordinary as well as the beers you can find here. The place is small so keep that in mind, the first time I went a year or two ago was during March Madness. It was a 45 minute wait, not bad.
(4)
Samuel B.

This place is awesome! If you love craft beer then you need to mark this as a destination for your north county vacation. The bartender Max is great, tell him what you feel like drinking and he will recommend something that will blow you away. All in all this place is a must stop, food is great too. Chyeah!
(5)
Robert C.

This place has an amazing beer menu! If you love craft beer and awesome burgers, this is your place. They have plenty of bar seating and 5 or 6 pub style tables. In the back they have 4 or 5 tables groups. We brought our kids and they said it was great as well. One of them loved the garlic fries. The onion rings were ok. My wife said you may want to ask them to cook the burger a little longer because it is a bit pink still when they serve it. Didn't bother me though, I like em rare to medium rare. They had a good selection of burgers. All the ingredients on the burger were fresh. The main reason to go though would be the beer! Lots of beer from around the U S and the world. Most in a bottle, some on tap. Highly recommend stopping in here. Was a great spot after the beach.
(4)
Kevin O.

Great beers and pretty good food!! I had my 1st Supplication here! The craft beers are on point and although some are a tad bit expensive, I think it was reasonable considering the rarity. Would be nice if the online bottle list was updated more frequently.
(4)
Heather S.

Awesome burgers! Probably one of the best I've ever had.... The bootlegger definitely gets 5 stars and the French fries were delicious too. My husband had the garlic burger and he said that was pretty good. Only reason for 4 stars as a whole, it took a while to get a drink once we sat down, but I highly recommend this place, especially for the burgers!
(4)
daniel o.

Garlic fries - check Giant selection of great local brew on tap - check Close to work. Great spot for avoiding rush hour. Plus they do the 80 beers in 80 days challenge.
(5)
Kevin O.

First off missed the place cuz no lights or signs. Finally found it and realized more a bar then restaurant. Very hot inside. Got Cajun grilled shrimp salad n grilled chicken apple harvati. Very salty. Had to wipe down everything cuz it was to much salt. Great beer selection
(2)
Janet B.

Cute small swanky bar with craft beers on tap. I'm a north county beer drinking kind of girl and this tavern really hit the spot. It's off coast highway passing J street heading south. It's small, on the right but it's set up pretty nicely. The food looks amazing (didn't try it but it looks like they have some pretty awesome burgers & salads) and the beer list is countless!! New little drink spot :)
(4)
Natalie F.

Love this place!!! The beer list is EXTENSIVE and the food is awesome. Their draft list is constantly rotating and their bottled beer selection is like nothing I have ever seen before. Very impressed. The Santana burger is spicy and delicious! This is definitely my new favorite spot!
(5)
Zack D.

I played outside the Encinitas Ale House as part of the Encinitas Street Fair. The burgers were good and the beer variety was awesome! Good stuff.
(5)
Veton R.

Horrendous service. Waited 20 minutes as they said, only to have that extended by 10, and when we got to the back, they just so happened to not have enough chairs. Get it together.
(1)
Asher W.

Place is the tits. Food gets 7.5/10. Great burgers, descent pizza, gotta try the sausage plate next time. Atmosphere gets 8/10. Place is grungy and small with old tap handles hanging from the ceiling. Its a cool place. Fun to stop by for a burger and a beer during the week. Beer gets 8.5/10. Great selection. Knowledgeable staff. About 40 beers on tap at a time. Stop by for a great time, some great beer, good food and friends, and a dope location right on the 101 in beautiful Encinitas.
(4)
April M.

Thirsty for some beer? This is your place. Encinitas Ale House my default, go-to spot when I'm in the area. Am I ever tempted to try someplace new? Sometimes but it's just too hard to resist their amazing and extensive tap list. For example: They always, always, always have Delirium Tremens (awesome Belgian strong ale) on tap. Last week they had Duchesse De Bourgogne (a yummy Flemish red ale) and a few weeks ago they had Russian River Supplication (sour brown ale), which was divine. Other than the one time we witnessed a drunkard puke AT THE BAR (yep, true story!), this has always been a great place to grab a pint or two. * Check out their website for a current list of beers on tap. * Huge TVs above the bar to catch all of the latest games. * Clean restrooms, which are outside, on the left. * Plenty of street parking.
(4)
Chris R.

Nice, small Pub. Great place to start the weekend. Good selection of Belgians and British Ales.
(4)
Cristo G.

Beer battered chicken fingers and sweet potato fries are on point. Great selection of craft beers. Had the Humboldt Black Xantus Stout, 2013 Austrian Doppelbock and the Pizza Port Mintimidator!!! Very comfortable vibe and atmosphere
(4)
Michelle H.

We came in with a party of 8 on Easter for dinner, and I haven't had a server as polite and friendly as the one we had here in a long, long time. Nothing fancy, nothing formal, nothing fake.. just refreshing, and truly appreciated. Belgian's aren't really my forte, but I was happy to see Maharaja and Pliny on tap, which was more than enough to appease my dry mouth. The only downside was the price.. $7 for Maharaja seemed a bit steep, which would be my only complaint. The kobe wagyu sliders were very tasty, and perfectly cooked.. with the exception of my third slider, which was wayyyy overdone. I was already full by then, so I left that one for the boyfriend to devour. I'd definitely order them again though, since they were simple, easy to eat, and yummy. Per the boyfriend, the patty melt was also delicious. The fries with the "cajun" seasoning were also nice to munch on, even though I suspected no hint of cajun whatsoever. They were just good simple fries. Sweet potato fries were also good, but lacked a bit of flavor so I'm not sure if the upcharge is worth it. Overall, a solid spot for food and drinks if you're in the area.
(4)
Couple O'Critics A.

So two men and two babies walk into an alehouse and order lunch and the bartender says Awesome! So the place is a bit small but what they lack in space they make up in beer selection and great food. Did a couple of tasters with 4 - 4oz pours of our selection. Delighted to see local and unusual selections of sweet nectar. Tried some new beers on a taster board with an explanation and receipt to detail the beers I forgot I ordered (left to right). Happy with the beers but limited due to the precious cargo. Ordered the signature burger and fries and a meat pizza..... freaking delicious. The burger was bomb, the fries are shoestring and delicious, the pizza dough-cheese-meats all superb. Totally love the sauces on the table - straight up local and signature. No A1, Tabasco, and normal fare. I could have drank the Habenero sauce and bathed my pizza in its deliciousness. Good service for a busy lunch crowd and plenty of customers. The dudes and babies all had a swell Dad's lunch. Thanks, Encinitas Ale House
(5)
Patrick H.

Great selection of craft beers and friendly service. Can sometimes be tough to find a seat at the bar.
(4)
Alan M.

Ale House is a small bar / restaurant frequented by mostly locals who have a taste for good beer on tap. If you like Belgium beer than this place is for you. They have a full restaurant with the hamburgers being the best thing on the menu. Fun vibe and friendly people.
(4)
Jerry R.

The waitress recommended the camel burger, which isn't on the menu. Camel? Yes, camel. It was one of the best burgers I have ever eaten! Their beer selection is second to none and I enjoyed one of my favorite Belgian beers that few places carry here in the States. All in all, it was an amazing dinner! Highly recommended!
(5)
Mandy L.

The first weekend we moved from Del Mar to Encinitas we stumbled (literally) upon good ol' Encinitas Ale House - and on our first visit, we signed up for the 80 beers in 80 days challenge (which we finished in 50), and so began our many visits to EAH. Yes, there are like 50 beers on tap. Yes, there are like a million beers in the bottle. What they don't have is anything you've ever heard of before, not that it's a bad thing! I had probably 25 different IPA's here... mostly from local and other California breweries. I also discovered that I really just don't like Belgian beers, which is unfortunate because that's about 50% of their beers. Lucky for me, they do have a delicious Red that's always available in bottles. One thing to note - Their beers are imported and/or rare--- they aren't cheap. Watch out for bottle recommendations, even a smallish bottle can run you $14 or more. The larger bottles can get really pricey of course. They have several "celebration"size bottles that are fun to look at. A few times they had cider on tap (usually Julian), and it was really good. I wish the cider was always available. On several occassions we had items from their food menu. I recommend the Encinitas Ale House tacos and the beer battered fish tacos. Their pizzas are okay, but not like omg amazing or anything. We had the santana burger once, and it was not as spicy as I thought it would be. They also have a lot of exotic burgers - alligator, ostrich, kangaroo - but I never tried any of them. We continue to frequent EAH, but of course not as much as we used to. The staff is welcoming each time we go back. It's great to have a "home" bar.
(4)
Wendy R.

Burgers & fries were okay. Service was awful.
(2)
Courtney K.

Five stars for a great beer list and awesome wait staff. Also, some of the food I have had here has been really good like the bruschetta but other items like the buffalo chicken salad have just been ok. I think it's pricey but if I drink enough then I don't really care. A pint of white and buffalo chicken salad with tax and tip was $30. So given all of that, I am reaffirming my three star rating.
(3)
Dave M.

Coming from a burger & beer guy, it doesn't get much better than the Encinitas Ale House. The Santana burger was GREAT and paired w/Knee Deep's Simtra 3x IPA, their combined awesomeness almost melted me in my seat! This place is great because they take the time required to truly stand out: home-made buns, an extensive selection of drafts/ bottles, and a come-as-you-are atmosphere.
(5)
Kiyono A.

If you like craft beer, Encinitas Ale House is a necessary stop-off in North County. It's kind of refreshing to have a non-IPA centric tap list, especially in San Diego, so take the opportunity to try something new. The bartenders are helpful and can point you in the right direction. They have an 80 beers in 80 days club that you can try - if you do the math it adds up and it is a time commitment, especially if you don't live in Encinitas. My friend tried to do it, but then went on vacation, and had to give up. The food here is also consistently good, and they have 2 for 1 burger night on Tuesdays - their veggie burger is solid, and I remember the bootlegger burger being good when I was still eating beef. It can get pretty busy because it's small, but I've never had trouble getting bar space, and that way you can chat with the bartender too.
(4)
Maxwell A.

Walked in on a Saturday night and only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. Had the Kobe burger... Delightful. Came with a good portion of fries. Our server, Erin, was very attentive and never felt intrusive. Had a solid selection of beers as well. No coors light though or any cheap beer.
(5)
Patrick B.

This places rocks when it comes to craft brew selection. Their beer menu was 17 pages when I visited. It appears to be constantly updated. I couldn't believe they had the Collaboration between Sierra Nevada and Firestone for their hoppy pilsner on tap. If you want to find some unique bottled beers, it's hard to believe there is another place with a better selection The veggie caprese bruschetta was good. I'm not a fan of the blue cheese on it. I prefer the more traditional Parmesan The service was fine. The ladies were working hard.
(4)
Tori T.

I love this place! One of my number one spots! For sure. The garlic burger and the bootlegger are my favs. Beer is always delish and staff is the best.
(5)
Trish S.

This is one of those places that has been around awhile and it's crazy that I hadn't gone yet. As a coastal local for 4 years now, it's pretty much an epic fail on my part! To make amends, dear Ale House, I offer up this 5 star review singing praises of tap handles and steak salads. Damn, that steak salad was good. Huge and fresh, with a giant piece of meat and a nice light lemoney dressing. Flavorful tomatoes made it perfect. I paired it with onion rings, duh. And the server was oh so sweet to bring me all the ranch and whatnot I wanted for those golden and crisp fatty mcfaterson rounds of heaven. I don't regret it, I don't. The BF had a burger, apparently "locally world famous" and we did a slow clap of appreciation. Anything with a giant steak knife sticking out of it is usually a win. The Bootlegger, they called it (probably named after my Irish Great Grandpa from Brooklyn.) and it was paired with yummy french fries. Oh EAH, I'm sorry I wasn't all up in yo face much much sooner: You update your beer list on the regular like a boss on your website, how nice of you! And me? ignoring you for so long?? Those days are over I promise. You have cider all the time, that's like my favorite thing! Our server was nice, the price was right... sigh, I feel like I've been missing out. It's small, beware, worth the wait if there is one.
(5)
Ken G.

Great selection of beer; everything is pretty much set up in the same manner as its sister restaurant Public House (in La Jolla) though Encinitas Ale House is much smaller with much more limited seating. However, I feel that the food is better at Public House in terms of preparation (the menu is pretty much the same at both places)
(3)
Rich C.

Quite possibly my favorite place in all of SoCal. I used to live in Leucadia, and now in Carlsbad and it is being far from the place that kills me the most. It's small, but popular. Huge burgers that taste great... Awesome pizzas, good mac and cheese...and a great place to chill and try new beers off of the daily updated list. The staff knows their sh*t and have a good sense of humor with those who don't know much about beer. I once asked for Bud Light and was asked (jokingly) to leave. Sit at the bar, a high top table, or towards the back where there is a little more seating. It's definitely a very popular local joint and military friendly. A fellow Marine who passed away was a regular there and they put a picture up of him in his honor. I brought back our squadron deployment patch and they put alongside the pic. Great place, period.
(5)
Sonny N.

Finished a 10 mile run on Sunday with the express intent of finishing here for a great beer. First off, menu is MAJORLY Belgian-centric. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but when you live in SD, there are too many great breweries for a beer pub to ignore. Second and most importantly, the service is absolute garbage. This is my second trip here and it's now confirmed. Bummer because they clearly care about good beer. Bartenders should never openly talk trash about their patrons (which they did). How about a little enthusiasm. A smile? An informed opinion about what I am about to order? Nothing. If they fix their customer service issues, this is easily a 4 star joint.
(2)
Jessica M.

Max is a great bartender! Food is good. My only complaint is that it can get really hot in the summer.
(4)
Taylor A.

Cool little place in Encinitas. A lot smaller then I was anticipating it to be. Came in for a beer and a quick bite to eat. I was trying to decide between a burger, and a salad and opted for a salad. I chose the buffalo chicken salad with light blue cheese crumbles. When it came out it looked good, but the chicken was a little on the dry side, and the whole salad was dreeeeeenched in buffalo sauce. The lettuce was so soggy and soaked with buffalo it had no crunch at all. I was kinda disappointed because I was starving and was really looking forward to a great meal after all the reviews I read.
(3)
George J.

Amazing beer list. Had a German bier my friend had not tasted in 10 years, since Germany. Tasty food--my burger bun was perfect, the contents outstanding. Competent wait staff.
(5)
Brooke M.

I was super excited to take my husband here for a burger and beer. Insane beer list. I could stop there but think someone else out there might want to know that when you order a burger, you better enjoy it being served on a blood soaked bun. Eww.
(1)
heidi s.

This place is beyond amazing. I started my 80 beers in 80 days which is a pretty rad concept... Not only do they have the newest, most local and delicious beers but they have the BEST service. Jared (bartender) is a rad dude. Coolest sense of humor and best bartender I've come across in all of enci. Heather is the most sweetest girl in the world. She does an amazing job as a server and is on top of her game. Not to mention her beautiful, always smiling face. I haven't found such a cool local spot since I moved to enci. This place reminds me of home and makes me feel at home at the same time. I highly suggest you come check this joint out.
(5)
Keely J.

I am a vegetarian, and I even love this burger place! The veggies burgers are great because you can add a veggie patty to any burger on the menu! Love going here on a Tues. night during the 2 for 1 burger special. Sometimes the beer selection overwhelms me, but I have always had helpful bartenders to guide me to a good selection. I find this is a great spot to bring out of town guests for some good eats and casual vibes. Cheers.
(5)
Jennifer S.

We stopped into Encinitas Ale House for the first time today while wandering through Encinitas. I instantly loved this place. It's small, but we were there early and it was the 4th of July, so it was not crowded. We sat at the bar and were greeted by both a man and a woman who was our bartender. Both were SUPER friendly and that was a plus right off the bat. The other thing I really like is that you can get 5 oz tasters of any of the beers on tap for $2.50. We each got two of these as we were just in for a quick sip and all four of the beers were delicious. They have a really huge beer selection and these aren't boring beers, which is great. They also told us about their 80 beers in 80 days club, where if you can drink 80 beers in 80 days you get a lot of cool perks. If I lived closer, I think I'd give it a try! But, we don't, so I think it would be pretty hard to do... and EXPENSIVE! ON this trip, we didn't have any food, but the menu looked yummy and we have already decided that we WILL be back. Loved this place and wish it was in my neighborhood!
(4)
Desmond F.

Small quaint and cozy. Stopped by on a Friday with some friends and it wasn't too busy. Didn't have any food but the waitress who helped us was very nice. Not too much of a beer connoisseur but they have a lot on their list. Had the sampler and there were a few I liked so I'm eager to come back at another time and try some more. They have a 90 beers in 90 days club evidently...I'm tempted...
(4)
Jenna C.

So good! Good service, amazing Costa Rican fish tacos. Appetizers were half off when we stopped by so we also split the seared ahi plate, can't remember the exact name of it but it came on a bed of tasty greens and was seasoned amazingly. Perfection. Add Encinitas Ale House to the list of Reasons Why I Want to Move to Encinitas!
(5)
T-Money M.

The Santana Burger may be the best burger in town! Nice assortment of beers, especially if you're into Belgians.
(5)
Bryce B.

Love this place:-) Great food and cold beer, what could be any better! Had a double IPA, the Santana Burger (with JalapeÃ±o) and the mac and cheese....wow, it was to die for:-) If your looking for great food, beer and the game, this is a great place.
(5)
Marcin M.

Was here on a weekday afternoon so there weren't too many other patrons in the bar, but I can imagine this small-ish bar gets pretty crowded in the evenings, on weekends and during Chargers games. Definitely a casual beach bar. Great beer bar with a fantastic selection of beers both on draft and in bottles. I tried a great Belgian golden ale, but I would recommend spending the $10 on a sampler -- get a taste of any four beers on draft and choose randomly or based on alcohol content. No full bar.
(4)
Sara Y.

This is our third time trying to come here. Other times it's been just entirely too crowded to battle to get a seat at the bar. It was a Monday night but still had a good crowd. The bar tender was the only sour (though they have plenty of sours on their beer list to make up for it) spot here. He just seemed mildly annoyed by our very presence. My boyfriend is just now getting into beer really, so he had a few questions. The bartender just seemed arrogant. We loved the steak bruschetta that we decided to get another order and another appetizer as our main meals. He was like... you want to do what? Just rude. I really liked the food, the beer and the atmosphere other than that guy!
(3)
Tom D.

Not going to bullshit ya and say I was blown away by the beer selection and how excited I was to try a rare Czech beer. I'm not a beer connoisseur and micro brews tend to slow me down. We were in Encinitas with some friends and while our girls were checking out a self realization book store we opted for better entertainment at the Ale House. Of course I sit down looking for the Well Bottle Wall (ie where all the vodka bottles reside) and saw nothing but tap handles. Shitballz! Okay, I can deal with this, get a Macrobrew (Pacifico) my go to! Not happening here. I felt like the guy who orders a salad at steak joint. The bartender couldn't have been more knowledgeable and accommodating. They didn't have Pacifico, but he knew from my uneducated beer taste buds that this Czech beer was the one for me. Super friendly staff and great laid back feel makes this a place where the hours slip away with every sip. Can't rave enough about the bartender here. Wish I could remember his name so he got credit for convincing a Vodka guy to try a Czech beer. Only down side is like most coastal businesses in SD there isn't AC so on a hot day the place was a tad warm. Who gives a shit, I'm enjoying a beer talking fantasy football and I'm not in a book store!!
(4)
Nicholas S.

So I went here for National Cheeseburger day. This place probably get 5 stars, however the wings weren't crispy enough and the onion straws on the burger were chewy. I liked that the salad was huge though. The service was good, I needed blue cheese for my wings and they brought it to me. I got the Grass Fed Kobe Wagyu burger.
(4)
Rachel W.

I have been to this place a couple of times but I was there last night and finally made up my mind. I really like this place! It is a shame it is so small but it is worth the wait. Beer selection is unbelievable. They have anything you could want. The food is also good! I got the ahi tuna salad and was pretty impressed. I recommend checking out this place.
(4)
Torrey K.

This place is definitely overrated. The location is great- but that's about it. Service- a couple of the servers/bartenders are nice/knowledgeable, a couple have zero personality and know nothing about beer. Food- veryyyyyyy average. Nothing unique or particularly good. Menu is very mediocre. Drink- a lot of beer options BUT you better know exactly what you want because they now CHARGE you if you want to taste a beer before you buy it. SOOOO incredibly tacky for a craft beer restaurant with beers most people haven't tried to charge you $3 to sample a beer before you buy a full one.
(2)
GT W.

Short: Excellent beer bar with extensive selection. Food portions are over the top and flavors were not up to par. Long: For a beer place this is 88-90/100. They have a massive tap list with a focus on local craft beer with an affinity for local brewery Acoustic Ales. This is good and bad as Acoustic Ales takes up 50% of the tap list but their beers are below average. Bottle list is extensive and has many hard to find rarities. Prices on the bottles are high but normally high for the quality of beer offered. Food menu is extensive with lots of burgers, pizzas, salads. A bit overextended in my opinion. I've eaten here twice and the food has been underwhelming both times. Burgers that are hyped up are too big and you should not finish them or you'll feel ill. Patties are not seasoned. I've ordered burgers rare here twice and they came out both medium rare. Fries good, but not crispy, rather wilting. Wife had the chorizo pizza and it was soggy, had to be eaten with a fork, and was so spicy no one could eat it and we frequent Thai restaurants and make Thai food at home. Service is a bit spotty, not really on the ball as this is first and foremost a beer bar over a restaurant. The ambiance is way too loud and cramped to really have dinner here. You can do beer tasting flights here, but they aren't cheap at $2.50 per sample. So on the one hand it is an awesome beer bar that needs to work on its tap list. On the other hand, it is a very average dining solution with menu and preparation issues. Good For: Craft beer ordered and drank at the bar Bad For: Dinner, groups, hearing your own voice
(3)
Richie W.

Cozy little beer bar. Tap list was ok. I had a nice Grassroots / Mikkeller collab Saison. Cost me $7.50 which was about a dollar more than I would have liked to pay. Looks like they had a food menu, but I didn't eat there. It'd be a great neighborhood bar, but I'd still drive the extra 10 min to goto O'briens, or Toronado.
(3)
Caleb R.

Everything about this place is great. The beer selection is always the best in the area, food is great, and the staff is even better. Something on the food and beer menu for everyone.
(5)
Kimber K.

How I wish this place was larger! There is a waiting list, manned only by the customers, and you have to keep close watch to make sure no one swipes your table. Once you are seated, there is no going wrong. Quite literally the best burgers I have ever had, fantastic mac n cheese and delicious sweet potato fries. The servers are also great at building beer flights based off of your likes and dislikes.
(4)
Leighton S.

Really quite an impressive place. I stayed in Encinitas for a week but, lamentably, I only came to this venue on my last night. The draft list is solid, with lots of local stuff and in addition to some fairly obscure CA beers (picked up a one-off Almanac beer here, for one). The bottle list is also really well put together, with lots of great American beers alongside a comprehensive range of European imports. The food is also good. I had a salad but my companion had a burger, to which he gave high marks. The prices are pretty damn good on everything. The service is also very good. If you are staying in Encinitas this place is a must-visit. The location is right on the main drag, so it's easy to find. Almost a five-star place.
(4)
Lindsay S.

Seating is an issue but the variety of beer is outstanding and the chorizo pizza is worth trying.
(4)
Vicki C.

How can an ale house stay packed all of the time? Encinitas Ale house has a huge selection of craft beer and a friendly waitstaff. The happy hour has some great deals on food which you might need to help absorb some of the great beer. The variety of beer offered is impressive and you will want to try several of them. The bartenders know about the product and suggested some new brews that I loved. You can oftentimes tell when a restaurant (or pub) is a great place by the patrons inside. This small establishment is almost always bustling despite the building being a little bit drab. If they moved into a nicer facility you might never get a table. For now I am happy to have the Encinitas Ale House in my backyard.
(5)
George W.

Cracking beer selection, smashing burgers, lovely staff - what's not to like? I had the Santana burger and a flight of local beers, it took us a little while to get served and seated, but that would be my only criticism, everything else was great - perfect spot for trying some new beers and having a relaxed, tasty burger.
(4)
Lindsay D.

Terrible. Raw burger. Over cooked burger. Poblano pepper pizza with all seeds still in pepper rendering it so spicy it's inedible. Waitress that leaves her shift without cashing out our table. Chasing down a new waiter to pay our bill to no avail and finally the bar tender cashes us out. Fruit flies everywhere. Terrible draft/bottle beer list in micro brew land even. No excuse. Won't be back. Shame on you.
(1)
Mike C.

Now this is my type of pub house. Over a hundred or so different types of beers on bottles, several more on tap. Plenty of Belgian ales to choose from. From the bitter to the sweet and from the light to the dark flavored ones, there's pretty much a beer for everyone. Had three different ones on this evening, and all were awesome. It's a very small hangout spot, gets loud too, but they do have a few seats outside. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff too. Happy hour is great. Half off on all starters until 6pm and $2 off on all taps. Started off with their calamari. Calamari for $5, you can't beat that. yelp.com/biz_photos/ZEYlâ€¦ They even threw in a couple of shrimp too. Great stuff! But the Encinitas Ale House is not just known for their awesome beers but for their burgers as well. So I tried their venison burger. It was a decent burger. Not a real fan of the bun. Just kept falling apart. The meat was bland. Needed some hot sauce. yelp.com/biz_photos/ZEYlâ€¦ I did like the fries though. Great! Great place to hang out. Got a free mug out of it too. Plenty of other places to hang out to in downtown Encinitas. Plenty of free street parking too.
(4)
Monica G.

Simply delicioussssss. The beer...the food...takes you to a different place. We had the chorizo pizza, surf and turf burger, and ceasar melt sandwich. I am so glad I gave it a try!!!! I'm coming backkkkkkkk!!!'
(5)
Michelle Q.

The moment I walked it the song Benny and the Jets came to mind from that movie scene from 27 Dresses. This place is very small and narrow but loved how very " LOCAL" it is if you know what I mean. Their beer menu is like a bible with more than 200 beers on tap. Took us more than 20 minutes to actually pick a beer. Can I just talk about the Burger!! This monster Burger! I got what is called the bootleger. Now I'm a burger kind of gal, medium rare that is. The first bite of this burger was absolute silent for at least 2 minutes right after. Juicy, crunchy, soft, kick, simple. I mean every single taste bud in my mouth was touched. Bacon, BBQ, crunchy straw onions, a toasty wheat bun, and Huge juicy tasty meat piece of burger meat. Can't go wrong.
(5)
Lauren M.

The Santana burger sub veggie patty is one of the BEST veggie burgers I've ever had. Great flavor toppings! Warning though: the place is very small and gets really hot and muggy with no AC
(4)
Monique D.

We were so excited to eat here after reading all of the great reviews, but was totally disappointed. The fish and chips were bland though cooked well and the portion size was mediocre. The burger also lacked seasoning and was slightly dry even though we asked for it to be cooked medium well. The bun on the burger was also dry. Maybe if we were tipsy it would have tasted better?? The flavor combinations weren't terrible just not done well... Maybe it was a bad day?
(2)
Jo-Ellen D.

SO MANY BEERS!!!! So as much as I love lots of beer options, it was almost like there were too many? If that's even possible. The menu was just kind of tricky to navigate, for me. A bit overwhelming. The food was really tasty, and the sweet potato fries were really good.
(4)
Daniel L.

Ah yes! My friend and I were famished. We were both busy until really late, and were hoping to grab dinner at another nearby popular Encinitas restaurant... only to find its wait absurdly long! So we began to walk down the street, and all of a sudden memory of Encinitas Ale House came to mind! Mind you, my last time I was there, it was well before I was a beer snob of any degree (those days were so much more lucid... but no longer). Thus, when I was there before, I had no idea how to enjoy its awesome beer selection that was pricier than your average beer. And that's what's really great about this place! The beer selection here astounding! This is really hard to admit as a proud San Diegan... but I'm getting a little tired of San Diego Beers :(. No fear! EAH has WONDERFUL selections from all over the country and the world! I had great beers I've never seen anywhere else except for the Pizza Port Bottle shop! WONDERFUL. But NO! that's not all! The beer is not the only good thing here! The pizza is great! Their burgers are JUICY AND WONDERFUL. I had their special, the Lamb Burger. And WOW. I love lamb, I think I love it even more now because of this burger! It had the great gamy flavor of lamb... the tartness of the yogurt almost was like a soft cheese... and this is very simple but wonderful.... THE ARUGALA. i'm a sucker for this veggie. It's like the bacon of vegetables! Overall, this place is AWESOME and I can't believe I had come here and wrote it off! Great place for some good dinner and drink!
(4)
Paul R.

quite possibly the BEST burger I have ever had. No Joke! The service was impeccable. Aron (sp) was on top of everything and even coaxed us into the place when we were contemplating possibly going some where else out front because it was a little warm inside and we weren't sure there was room for the 3 of us. The best decision of the day to go in. The beer selection is unreal an my Santana burger was huge. We are coming back again and again.
(5)
Teddy G.

Customer service sucks :/ Thank you brittany for being such a classy lady!!! I hope you know I'm being sarcastic..beer selection was really cool but it sucks when your waitress is showing how her life sucks. She was very rude. There was hair in my sister's food and she accused it was my sister's. I ordered a cider and It was gross. She said you have to pay for it. I don't have a problem of paying for it but don't get crazy!!! She even tried to charge 18%, for what? For being a b? Yea thanks. She kept forgetting our Orders. No refills.
(1)
Natalia G.

Bar is a traditional dark shady smelling place but the BURGER is TO die for!!! If u like ur meat medium to medium rare properly cooked, u will luv it! The flavor is aWesOme! One of the best burgers in town!
(5)
Brittney T.

Beer list is great but can be a bit overwhelming. Burgers are SO good! Beware they are large, I saw numerous ones coming out of the kitchen that were split (should of done that). The garlic fries are verrrrrry garlicky. I was expecting something similar to garlic parm truffle fries. Instead it was shaved garlic on top. Learned my lesson bc even after gum couldn't help haha!
(4)
Walter M.

EEEAAAHHH. OOOKKKKKKKKAYYY. Or as I not call this place "lil johns". 80 beers in 80 days. Ok so I'm probably not going to make this goal despite my best efforts. I live a little too far of a drive and commute in the opposite direction and have been traveling lately, but I will be back when I have more time. I shall dedicate myself and try not to drink my good beer elsewhere. EAH is small, probably less than 50 seats. Tall tables up front and shorties in the back. Bar stools as you belly up. What's great about this place is it's size. It's meant for intimate drinking with people who love not just good beer, but know good beer. Now we all know San Diego is the Mecca for craft beer, but in my travels to Germany and The Czech Republic I'm pretty sure they've got the real fire in their blood. It was there where I found my love for good beer and it's a pleasure to see so many imported here. Forget the British Pub's find a place like this with Belgians, German, French, Swiss and Czech beer, most put most of what we consider craft to shame. There is a lot to be said about availability and creativity so I'm not saying trad houses are better, but just look at all the tap handles on the roof, you've probably never seen half of those. Water jug and glasses for cleansing is near the country style doors which is great during the summer. So inviting. Bathroom outside and around the corner. Service is amazing, they sure know the beer better than most bartenders know mixed drinks. Food is actually pretty good from the fries to the wagyu burger (get the gorgonzola on the side because the gruyere is plenty enough already and you don't want to take away from the beef). I haven't actually had much of the menu, but have had most of their burgers. I stayed away from the cheesesteak because it was tri tip and not ribeye, who wants a beer float anyhow? With good pizza nearby I could never force myself to try a pizza. Costa Rica Fish taco's are good, but I'm not sure what makes them costa rican. It's local white fish, slaw, generic white sauce with mango salsa (that's probably it). It could totally use more bite, it's fresh and crispy/crunchy, but could use some refinement on the profile. The calamari plate is really scallops, shrimp and calamari. I was hoping it was all calamari for which I prefer an aioli and fresh lemon, but the scallops and shrimp kind of dictated the heavier tomato based sauce. EAH!!! OK!!!
(5)
Derek S.

This place has a pretty good beer selection. Heavier on Beglians than I prefer, but that's a personal preference. Don't get me wrong. I love Belgian beer, but this is San Diego county and I really love SD style IPAs, session IPAS, etc. This place has the best burgers in the San Diego area. The shrimp tacos are pretty good too. But, get a burger. The 33 degree burger and the santana burger are awesome. The Wagyu burger is one of the best burgers I've ever had. Burgerlicious. The French Fries are awesome too.
(5)
Jake J.

Best beer bar In north county, tap list is long diverse and incredible. And there burgers with sweet potato fries? Well worth the wait for a table at this gem!
(5)
Frosty Z.

passing through on my way home during 5 o'clock traffic and was over it. I yelped happy hours nearby as I'm on the freeway. called a few and this place won. and boy did I really make a great decision. ridiculously huge selection of beer. I mean a whole book full of craft beer. I am a fan of pale ales and ipas.. so I tried the acoustic ales greatest hits pale ale. great beer. I also ordered the kobe sliders. when they came out the bartender fella recommended I put the peta( people eating tasty animals) steak sauce and the mustard on them. he was spot on, it was killer. happy hour is til 6... 2$ off drafts and half off starters. great atmosphere. front is almost totally open air to the street. will definitely come back.
(5)
Mary B.

One server sucked major a$$!!!! I commuted 2 hours for some Sd fun but the waitress was bitter and old!! Don't tip Brittany! Old fart!! Way to ruin a good bar!!!! Fire her old a$$!! Rude! Rude! Rude!!!!!! Will not be back to this shithole!!!!!
(1)
Bret L.

I love this place. I was spoiled when I lived in Nebraska because I lived close to the best beer bar in Omaha and one of the best in the United States (I'm not exaggerating, they've made lists). When I moved to San Diego, I came to this sad realization that my beer life may be nothing more than a sea of IPAs. To some of you, that probably sounds like heaven, but to me it sounds like a slow, repetitive beer death. Enter Encinitas Ale House. My fiancee and I stumbled upon this place on a random Saturday night. We ended up signing up to try their 80 beers in 80 days challenge. We ended up finishing it in 50 days, and here is what we learned: 1. Everybody in the bar is knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. All of the staff have their own personalities that show through and it makes this place feel inviting. Our favorites are probably Max, Jared, and Glen, but there hasn't been a single staff member that we've disliked. 2. The food is really good. Their burgers are unique. You'll find kangaroo, lamb, and even alligator occasionally wandering across the menu. The pizzas are good. The mac and cheese is good. We sampled quite a few things on the menu over the 50 days and never had any complaints. 3. Their beer list is huge. They have a healthy tap selection and an even healthier bottle selection. I had at least 75 different beers when I did my 80 in 80 ranging across all styles. They have a huge list of Belgian beers as well as samplings from a ton of craft brewers in California and the US in general. Their international beer list is nothing to scoff at, either. 4. It is pricier but not ungodly. When you realize that you're getting really good beers and really good food, the extra few dollars seem worth it. If you're on a tight budget, this wouldn't make a good regular hangout. 5. The bathrooms are in the hallway outside. That's not a positive or a negative, that's just something that we learned. I could continue to rave on about this place but instead I'll just say that this is now our bar. Everybody should have a home base bar, and this is where we've set up shop.
(5)
Joseph G.

This place is terrific!!! If you're looking for great burgers and a brew, this is your spot. I've been here many times and they never disappoint. The staff are knowledgeable and it's a laid back atmosphere. It makes a perfect date night spot or it's great if you just want to grab some beers with friends, which is a great experience since they have 100 + beers available, 50 or more on tap and a lot of them from all over the world. The burgers also put this place on the map. If you want to try something different check out the specials, which has included boar and kangaroo burgers. A tip: get here early or later, it's a small place (which I think is cool) so it gets packed during peak dinner hours
(4)
Marco T.

Unfortunate how poor the service is. Their is a big selection of beer, but the focus was on Belgians. We are in SD and I love our local breweries. The poor service was the highlight today. And it was across the board. None of the servers could be bothered to show any interest in their customers. Sort out the service!
(2)
Jason N.

Been coming here for several months now and am currently working on my 80 in 80. This place is AMAZING!! Excellent selection of beers, I'm willing to even say the best in North County. Their draft and bottle list is extensive and constantly changes, which is awesome. The employees are all super friendly and extremely knowledgeable of beer, life and the like. The food is also superb. Fresh, quality ingredients and they most certainly don't skimp on the portions. My absolute favorite is the Bootlegger burger. I am a self proclaimed burger connoisseur and this burger is exceptional!! Honorable mentions would definitely be the chicken fingers, and the fish tacos. If you're in the area, stop in for a bite and a beer. You will not be disappointed... Cheers!!
(5)
Checko-Wing S.

I am taking a star away, because I have ordered 2 medium rare hamburgers and both times they were served well done. If you are going to advertise GREAT burgers, learn how to cook them. What saves this place is the great beer selection and friendly staff. Too bad this place is so small.
(4)
Eleegee L.

Overrated. The waitress was so rude to us we just ended up walking out. They were pretty busy, and the food looked ok. Just really crappy service.
(1)
Maxx B.

If I could only eat at one place for the rest of my life, Encinitas Ale House all the way. The list of beers is overwhelmingly huge and fun for a gamble (request keystone light if you want to get strange looks), and they wheel in new beers weekly so the menu never gets old. The food is also great, I always got the burgers they served with exotic meats, and everytime it's been a knock-out. Exotic beers with exotic burgers are a recipe for a great dine out! Only negative is the prices are up there but all things considered, it's definitely worth it.
(5)
Ron H.

On the East coast there is a famous little pub in Philadelphia called Monks or the Brickskellar in DC, where the beer list is 5+ pages long and most of them you've never heard of and are from places you've probably never visited. Drinking there is always a mini cultural vacation and their food is a rich and flavorful match to the wide variety of fluids flowing from the taps or bottles. I had thought this was unique to the NorthEast, so imagine my suprise when we ended up at the Encinitas Ale House and saw all my favorite beer menu options but in a warm climate! The place is small and you're not here for the ambiance. The staff is tolerable, by no means "friendly", but not exactly rude, I'd describe them as indifferent. The crowd very mellow and laid back (wearing t-shirts and jeans). There are a few TV's behind the bar that had various sporting events on, but really, I don't think anyone was watching. The beer list speaks for itself, do you need another reason to come here? Don't bother asking for a recommendation, the waitress replied to almost every question with "I've never tried it but it's popular for people to order". The food though could be a reason to return during non-drinking hours. Sampled both the shrimp and the Costa Rican taco's, both well seasoned and unique flavors. The wings we ordered with the sauce on the side (so we didn't end up licking our fingers all night), and they were served perfectly crispy on the outside and moist and meaty on the inside. The sliders were good enough to order a second order, although I think they might be able to do better on the roll; it was a little bland and overpowering in size. The pizza seemed to appear on everyone else's table, so we ordered one just to try it. It was good, and very good if you take it in the context that this wasn't a pizza shop, but it's not the best thing on the menu. Definatley not a family type place, leave the kids at home, great if you want to just grab a drink with friends or experiment with some new options in beer.
(4)
Suzy Q.

Best place for beer in North County (they actually won best beer bar in Draft magazine). The food sets it apart from other various beer bars in the area and is to die for! Try the KOBE or LAMB burger, you will NOT regret it! Servers are helpful in trying to get you sat & started with a beer since there's always a wait, but it is SO well worth it! The staff is beyond knowledgable and will assist you with picking out the perfect beer since they're always rotating drafts and have over 500 bottled beers to choose from! Sign up for the 80 in 80 club and feel a sense of belonging to this very special beer bar. Once you finish you're eligable for prizes and even entered into a raffle for a trip to an awesome brewery!! The staff knows what they're talking about and is a great place for a date night or if you're craving that special awesome burger you can't get anywhere else... KANGAROO, CAMEL, or ALLIGATOR ANYONE?? I'll be coming back again and again!
(5)
Joe S.

The burgers are epic! They don't lie! They have daily specials (venison, wild boar, etc) and you can't go wrong. The beer selection is epic, and my waitress/bartender/beer wizard Natalie went a perfect 3 for 3 with IPA suggestions! I love this place and would totally recommend it. Great beer. Awesome food. Good people. A+
(5)
Tami J.

I'm taking back my previous one-star review. I don't know what happened (I'd like to think it's because of my previous one-star review) but the service at this place has TOTALLY turned itself around. I begrudgingly returned for a burger one night, with the knowledge that the service would SUCK but at least I would have my burger fix, and much to my shock and surprise, the service was lovely. I didn't sit at the bar, because there used to be a mean girl bartender who scared the crap out of me with her evil face, but sat at a high top instead. The service was fantastic, the food was great, and I was super happy. About a week later, a friend and I were walking through Encinitas and decided to drop in for a drink. Again, no crappy weirdo bartenders with creepy face, though we still opted for a high-top since I've been so traumatized in the past and once again, great and super friendly service. I've returned several times since my last post and my impression of this place has totally been turned around. I even had their white pizza the other day and now I have a new obsession. I am so thankful that I gave it another (like 14) chance!
(4)
Dicky L.

One of the bet Belgian beer selections is SD. 2 for 1 Angus Burgers on Tuesday is hard to beat. The place is small, so seating is at a premium and you may have to wait. But hey there is BEER while you wait!! 80 beers in 80 days is on my list of to do's but maybe just a pipe dream. If you complete it you get a chance to go on a special beer related vaction/trip.
(4)
Mick G.

Excellent burgers, and a wide variety of beers to order! Fun place!
(4)
Thuy C.

This will pretty much give you an idea about this place: 99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 98 bottles of beer on the wall. 98 bottles of beer on the wall, 98 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 97 bottles of beer on the wall. 97 bottles of beer on the wall, 97 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 96 bottles of beer on the wall. 96 bottles of beer on the wall, 96 bottles of . Take one down and pass it around, 95 bottles of beer on the wall. 95 bottles of beer on the wall, 95 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 94 bottles of beer on the wall. 94 bottles of beer on the wall, 94 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 93 bottles of beer on the wall. 93 bottles of beer on the wall, 93 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 92 bottles of beer on the wall. 92 bottles of beer on the wall, 92 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 91 bottles of beer on the wall. 91 bottles of beer on the wall, 91 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 90 bottles of beer on the wall. They always have great and unique burgers!
(4)
Brad W.

Another smallish bar near the end of town that gets crowded. Kind of unusual to own a bar and close it at 9pm on a Sunday night. Other nights, it doesn't open until 4pm and unless it's Friday or Saturday, the place closes at 10pm. I snuck in at about 8:30pm and got one very expensive (try putting your beer prices on the menu Mr. owner) $6.50 craft beer. Is this kind of beer so new to SD, that every bar thinks craft beer is freakin champagne? The max should be 5 bucks or so for a craft beer. Anyway, bartender looked like he wanted to get moving and go surfing or something and I ordered a BBQ chicken pizza to go and it was pretty good as these pies go. They had the swirls of BBQ sauce on top of pie that made it seem fancy for $12 and the chunks of chicken on the pie were well cooked. Good crust too. Bottom line is that if your gonna keep charging stupid prices for craft beer, then the tips will take a tumble to compensate. There is always a way.
(3)
Bryan P.

This place is fantastic - the buffalo burger was spot on and the sweet potato fries were epic. Great pour on the whiskey and great service. I'll be back, I guarantee it.
(5)
Lisa F.

This is hands down my favorite place to grab a beer in North County. Usually come with the intention of only grabbing a drink or two, but the food is just too enticing, and I usually cave and get something to eat too. I haven't had anything on the menu that isn't amazing. My favorite entree is the fish tacos. Generous portions. Phenomenal draft beer selection that changes daily & a huge cellar of bottles. Servers who are knowledgeable about beer and friendly. A handful of friendly regulars who you will run into over time. Great perks for being a member of the "80 beers in 80 days" club. Be warned that it is a cozy little place with limited seating. After the place was listed in a few food/beer publications as being a top bar, it's definitely been more crowded during peak times (SD Beer Week, Fridays & Saturdays after 7pm). I prefer going during off hours, sitting at the bar and striking up a conversation with the awesome bar tenders or other patrons, and enjoying their amazing beers.
(5)
David K.

Great spot, kind of hidden, but cool rustic beer house. Steak salad is awesome, service is typical beach town style. The burgers are also pretty awesome.
(4)
Bruce W.

I love this place. Good food, great beer list, and awesome location. I have been going a lot lately because I'm going for the 80 beers in 80 days. The one complaints I have is I wish the place was bigger because sometimes there is a long edit for a table. And I wish they had a patio so you can enjoy the beautiful Cali sunshine while grubbing on a great burger and a hoppy IPA!
(4)
Lauren P.

Love this place. Came with a group of five on a Monday night and was seated immediately. If you really enjoy beer, especially foreign brews, this is the place for you. They honestly have the best selection I've ever seen. The brew list is almost overwhelming due to it's enormous size! I think it took longer for me to pick out my drink than my food. I got a delicious Belgian Pale Ale, and two of my party got a glass of the Delirium Tremens. Everyone loved what they got. They have a great food menu, and they cater to their vegetarian customers very well. Everyone enjoyed their food. The burgers are ginormous! I cut mine in half and took half home, somehow STILL leaving impregnated with a food baby. I got the Santana Burger with a veggie patty and no mayo. It was delicious with a little bite from the fire-roasted poblano peppers and pepper-jack cheese. It could have been even a little bit spicier, but that's what the varied bottles of hot sauce on each table are for. The veggie patty was nice and crispy in comparison to the soft homemade bun and the chewy, cheesy filling. My friend got the Garlic Burger with a veggie patty, and man, that was probably one of the best (most-garlicky) veggie burgers I've ever tasted. I actually liked hers better. Everyone else got the Fish and Chips, and said they were pretty good. I also like that the fries are thin- my favorite kind. My mom said that she would prefer the french fries to be crispier, though. Also, the ranch dressing is so good. It tasted like it was made in-house. I really like this place and try to come at least once every time I am in the area. I highly recommend it, especially for the beer lovers!
(4)
Smitha A.

High marks for this little gem! Tons and tons and tons of beer selection. They have matching glasses for each beer and that makes me happy. Now the food. The wings were extra crispy and tasty. The parmsean garlic fries are every garlicky - seriously warning you people. If you don't want to smell like garlic for a week, don't get these. I had the chorizo pizza. I told them I wanted spicy and she said she would put extra peppers on it and HOLY MOLY! Spicy and amazeballs burn off your face good!
(4)
J R.

Beer decent, for $8 it should be. Food pathetic! The fish and chips were disgusting, leftover scraps of fish in dark overused oil....change your freaking fry oil! The fries were ok which was a good thing because that's what I had for dinner. Luckily my wife shared her burger which was just ok certainly not good enough to make me come back for it, there are better burgers in this to town. Service although not horrible was not great. She brought us our food and bill but no smile. I don't usually give negative yelps but this is an easy fix. Any manager that would allow a fried fish plate like that to even leave the kitchen should re-evaluate.
(1)
Tina L.

Stopped by for some beer after getting some pho @ Kim's. I'm really starting to love Encinitas area. They have a great selection of beer and they do this taste testing thing there you can get 4 little glasses of your choice. OR, what I did was tell the bartender the types of beers I like and he got together a nice little assortment for me to try. I loved all of them! Also ordered the sweet potato fries, which were delicious! They don't need anything to dip, they're good on its own. Noticed that they don't have ketchup, which is a little odd, but I'm OK with that. :P Def gotta check out the Buy one get one free burger on Tuesday!
(3)
Jeff K.

I'm sorry but I'm confused by other's reviews and I'm gonna have to call out the owners/management and yelpers on this one. I would give you 2 stars for your libations but you don't brew them... Firstly -- Your beer selection is fantastically amazingly vastly wonderful awesomeness. Best in town -- I would gather the finest in most any town... I had the most incredible stout(s) I've ever tasted last night... still licking my lips... It appears you match glass with your grog as well; I bow down to you for your pride, presentation and knowledge. But... the food. Oh the food... The food was nowhere near good. It was in fact downright bad. Crab cakes - I know, I know. I don't expect much out here in SD but these weren't even marginal, and the over-spice hid any flavor of crustacean. Zero lump, wayyyy too much seasoning and over-fried. Calamari - The oil was obviously old and dirty, you could taste (and see) it clearly. The calamari was over-fried and almost brown. The marinara dipping sauce was bland and mushy. To add insult to injury the one lemon wedge plated was so old and hard I had to use brute force to squeeze the few remaining drops of liquid. It looked like the lemon you find in the back of your fridge that was hiding for at least a month - no joke. Marsala burger - never asked how we wanted it prepared but it was served black and blue. Lower bun was blood soaked. That would be awesome if they asked and if the meat was fresh and seasoned. My taste buds say they failed every single category - not even salt and pepper (and I prefer rare)... Wagyu Kobe sliders - The biggest disappointment of them all. Served at least well done and honestly difficult to bite through. I feel sorry for the cow! All that fat rendered and wasted... With a beer selection as amazing as yours and a menu that has so much potential your burgers can only be "locally world famous" for being the worst on 101. Your menu looks so inviting like a beautiful siren in the mist. After dinner however I felt like I should be tested at the local clinic and take a long shower... Step it up Ale House, step it up... and yelpers - please try eating their food before you get too drunk...
(1)
Angela A.

Stopped in here after getting my hair done next door. LOVE the atmosphere, it's a packed place but everyone is minding their own business. It's a real local spot. Large selection of beer and a good selection of wine. They do not have a full liquor license. We did order three appetizers. The sliders were ok, nothing to get excited about and I am SUPER glad I ordered them medium rare or they would have been impossible to eat. They are dry, I mean dry and no condiments were served with them. Hubby ordered the sausage app, he didn't finish it and that never happens. He said he wasn't that good. We ordered the garlic Parmesan fries. The toppings were stingy and grouped in one spot. Again no condiments were offered. The staff was very friendly and helpful. As I said, loved the ambiance, I would definitely go back but no food next time, just take advantage of the wine specials.
(3)
Jenna S.

This was my first time going here and I loved it! They have so much beer to choose from it is insane. I stuck with the Nitro Beer-Murphy's Irish Stout-AMAZING. I love nitro beer it is so hard to find. I had the beer battered chicken tenders with fries which was delicious!. The service was also awesome! They have this interesting contest called 80 Beers in 80 Days. You can win some pretty cool stuff if you complete it. The place itself is long and narrow which doesnt make it that easy to move in when it is really busy but it is not a big deal. Great atmosphere, selection, food/menu, and service!
(5)
Emily H.

My boyfriend and i went there for early dinner last night to eat burgers and beers. It took us like 15 mins to get a beer then another 10 to order the food after. The bartender chick was slow. Then we order our food, he got the Santana burger and i ordered the Buffalo Chicken sandwich. Food tasted good, till we both woke up in the middle of the night with stomach aches. He was sweating and puking , i started this am. Food poisoning. I called the manager in the morning , Dawn, and he did not want to take responsibility for any of the situation stating that he didn't believe that it came from their restaurant nor would at least refund us the money we spent on the food. He was rude and ignorant! No seance of customer service at all. Even IF you didn't feel it was your fault , you want to make you customers feel that you care. He didn't! Needless to say we will never be going back there. And i highly suggest you all to think twice before going. Maybe for the beer, just expect to wait a long time for service , just DON"T EAT !!
(1)
Abbie H.

I just love this place. I don't even know what it is about it. It's small, and I tend to like cozier places. It has a less pretentious feel, which I also like. I will admit I have only had wine here, as beer is a rare treat for my belly. But my friend and I ordered the margherita pizza without cheese and it was so good! We ate the entire thing without slowing down. I'm a fan of this place.
(5)
Dan M.

This place is awesome. Great rotating beer list. Sure it looks crowded when you enter, but hang around by the bar, and a seat should open up. They have tables in the back as well, but get there early if you want a seat. I like that they allow beer flights of any of the drafts on the menu. I went for an Accoustic Ales flight of 4 different of this new brewery's beers (the Mosh Pit Red, Greatest Hits Pale, and Stout were all very tasty... the Dry Hop 22 IPA is good too). Interesting tidbit I learned afterwards is that Encintas Ale House has some partnership or investment with Acoustic Ales, so that is cool to see them offering something they are proud of. Note to self - I need to vist the brewery some day if they open their tasting room at the old Mission Brewery location by the SAN airport. Oh, and the burgers at EAH are excellent too.....better than typical pub crawl food
(4)
Anju J.

Great service, food and ambiance! -2 stars for the fact that you can't exchange your beer if you don't like it. first time I saw that! Not cool, not fun Lovely servers though, ample parking- great food
(3)
Tiffany R.

My friend and I stumbled upon this spot as she was shopping at some of the local shops for yarn and knitting supplies. I know absolutely nothing about knitting, so of course I had my eye out for the next place to stop. For patiently spending a few hours surrounded by spool after spool of pretty yarn, my friend graciously treated me to a drink or so. They have an extensive selection, so we both decided to go with the flight of four 5 oz. tastes for $10. This still didn't help narrow it down, so we let the bartender choose after giving very, very vague descriptions of our indecisive cravings. Our very kind lady bartender used excellent mind-reading skills -- 3/4 of the tastes were brews that had caught my eye when skimming the list! Started with the Bear Republic Red Rocket (perfect for Amber-lovers like me!) and ended with the Santa's Butt (I think she could tell I was still in the mood for some Christmas Cheer). I ordered the garlic parmesan fries to snack on and was pleasantly surprised at the quantity and flavor. The crispy thin fries were topped with large shavings of real parmesan cheese and sprinkles of tasty garlic, served in a sizable basket that lasted us beyond the flights. This little spot was very cozy and worth a visit if you're in the area. Also random note: it may have just been because it was raining, but they let a large pet dog hang out inside while we were there! Woof.
(4)
Robert K.

I went here for lunch with a couple of colleagues from work. We had the sliders as an appetizer and they were really good. My burger was so-so. It is a half pound burger, but the patty seemed to be lacking in flavor a bit. There was a large selection of craft beers, but I was not able to have any as I did not want to be in violation of company policy when I returned to the office after lunch. I would go back for the beers and sliders.
(3)
C. W.

The choice of a venison or buffalo burger is what makes me go back. The meat is all delicious and perfectly cooked. DELICIOUS onion rings!!!! I strongly suggest you try them. They are extremely hot, temperature wise, but once you cool it down and take that first bite, your belly is going to be happy. The beer selection is great and they have this hard cider that I order every time i go! It is Julian Apple Cider. Anything made with Julian apples is incredible, in my mind.
(5)
Matt R.

I always enjoy my time at the Ale House!!! Beyond impressive beer selection and a very knowledgeable and helpful staff!!! If you enjoy good beer and want a great selection, Encinitas Ale House is where you need to be!
(5)
Shannon H.

Everyone raves about the beer which is, of course, great. BUT they also have a great little selection of wines! My husband is a HUGE beer fan, especially from little dive places like this place, but I prefer wines and they even had a good selection for myself! I had the 2 Cocky Sisters Blend wine and it was fantastic! I prefer dry reds, but they also had a good selection of white wines and they even had a sparkling champagne that we tried that was really good as well! And the food...oh my gosh, the food is to die for! The burgers are as big as your face and we had the garlic french fries...holy crap! They are amazing! Definitely try this place!! It's a little hole in the wall with little seating, but it's worth the wait if you go in and it's a little busy.
(4)
Jason J.

This place was pretty good. aside from the lack of seating when it gets busy, it can be a good venue for a date. the beer selection is well suited and the food is good...i had a white pizza, and i can honestly say i would go back and get it again. Fair prices and service.
(4)
Daenerys S.

I had a burger here and sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo. Good lord, heaven has come to earth. No matter if I order my burger medium, well, or medium rare, it ALWAYS seem to come medium rare. I forgive them. Next to Solace which is a totally different burger, the Ale House has the best burger in town!
(4)
Jill R.

Encinitas Ale house is usually our "go to" place for a beer. They have a great beer selection and the food is always good, however the service at Encinitas Ale House has always been below average and last night was the worst costumer service I have experienced at a restaurant. I ordered a beer and since it was from the end of the keg only got a half of beer. The bartender said I'll only charge for a 5oz beer. After 2 sips of the beer, there was a slug like substance in my mouth that was from the beer. She took my beer away and never offered an alternative. I wasn't looking for a free meal or anything, just letting you know there was a foreign object in my beer, into my mouth!!! The owner came over and acted like it wasn't a big deal that there was a 2 inch slim in my beer that came out of their taps. It was determined that it was congealed sediment from the keg. I'm OK with that. Again, not looking for anything free, but the owner continued to give me a lecture about sediment in beers (as he is a brewer of Acoustic which is a whole other Yelp review!) and made it seem totally normal that that happened. After being totally insulted with the lack of customer service we asked for our check and WE WERE CHARGED FULL PRICE FOR THE 1/2 OF BEER THAT HAD A SLUG-LIKE SUBSTANCE IN IT THAT I DIDN'T EVEN DRINK. When we questioned it, the owner was surprised that we were asking him to remove the charge of that beer. Bottom line I'm not surprised the customer service is so bad at Encinitas Ale House since if that is how the owner treats people, why should others care, and I see this is a common theme in the reviews here...... However, Max the bartender has always been great every time we are there. I'll reluctantly go back to Encinitas Ale House since we live so close and the beer selection and food is good, but definitely lacking in the service department.
(1)
Amanda B.

The food at the Encinitas Ale House is AMAZING! You really don't expect it because they are small and unassuming-- unlike their crappy cross the street neighbor (union kitchen and tap- bleh). During HH the starters are half off. I suggest the steak bruchetta, calamari and the seared ahi comes atop a big salad. FOr the beer lovers- Monday HH they have a beer sampler. Right now they have a coyboy burger which has onion rings, ribs, burger, cheese and steak sauce-- incredible! They are small on the corner by J street with blue umbrellas outside. If you have any beer questions then ask the barkeep because he is super knowledgeable! I saw him answering questions left and right!
(5)
Kell R.

I love lagers and this place knows its brews. We told our waiter to surprise us with the beer flights and after asking us a few questions on the types of beer we're keen on he came back with the excellent choices. Also, I live my life one cheeseburger at a time and, ooh-weee, this place makes some tasty burgers!
(4)
Andy T.

I stopped by for two beers. No food. What do I see walking across the bar "la cucaracha" I pointed it out to the bartender and said "We have to keep the door open because we have no A/C in the place"
(1)
Bob S.

Great happy hour specials and huge number of beers to try. It's a bit small. Someone ordered a burger and it looked great.
(4)
Kelly F.

If food were the sole factor in rating, EAH would get 1,000,000 stars. The only reason they aren't getting 5 stars is because the bartenders attitude leaves something to be desired, as long as you don't get to miffed by that though, this place needs to be at the top of your list for places to eat in the San Diego area. I'm not even a beer drinker, but I am happy to forgo alcohol and sip on my diet coke just to enjoy the food at this place. Everything I have tried here I've enjoyed, but their steak bruschetta makes me feel like I've died and gone to heaven. I would seriously eat here and order that every single day if I could afford it. The best part is that during happy hours, it's one of the 1/2 price appetizers. Four mouth watering pieces of glorious bruschetta for $6. I'll take it. This place is usually packed and while it's sometimes hard to find a place to sit, I'd say it's well worth the wait. Also, everyone I've gone with have had great things to say about the vast selection of beers.
(4)
Anne C.

Let me start off with the disclaimer that we didn't come for burgers or beer. We pretty much just chose this place because we were walking back from the beach and we were hungry, and it was there. We stopped in around 5 on a Friday and got the last "high top" table, which was great since only the high top tables and bar seating qualify for happy hour. I got crabcakes and the pear salad, the boyfriend got the sausage plate appetizer and the steak salad. The food was... meh. The crabcakes were ok, but a bit overdone. Both of us were unhappy with the amount of dressing on the salads - mine had so much that you couldn't even taste the pears, pecans or blue cheese, which was the whole reason I got it. I couldn't even finish it. And two salads, two half-price appetizers and two non-alcoholic drinks came to almost $50 with tip - way too much, in my opinion, especially since we didn't even finish the food because it wasn't good. However, the portions were generous and the burgers we saw going by looked tasty, so maybe this place is only good for the burgers and beer, which we didn't have. Service was so-so. It felt like our waitress was ignoring us once it became clear we weren't ordering drinks. But the place has kind of a cool vibe - we might come back and try the burgers. I would just recommend getting there early since there were a fair number of people hovering around our table waiting for us to leave by the time we finished up.
(2)
Christine F.

holy beer selection! Went there after a day at the beach with some girlfriends and it was the perfect little spot. It's not very big so get cozy. the beers on tap are already numerous but then you realize the menu just goes on and one from beers all over the world. the food was good too. I'd suggest getting the sweat potato fries! everyone liked their food and it definitely hit the spot. Overall, I'd go back. Although I'm not sure I can handle the 80 beers in 80 days challenge just yet.
(4)
Dan M.

Three stars for the food and beer. Love the burgers and salads on the menu. The beers are great for change of selection in a very IPA dominated area. The low rating is for the very poor service that I have encountered with many different bartenders. There is a Keanu Reeves lookalike bartender who is just flat out rude and pompous. He has ignored us and other customers numerous times we have visited the alehouse, having his side conversations with his buddies. Not sure what his problem is but his attitude can strongly be felt and creates a negative energy in the bar. I have also been told a beer was no longer available only to see him later pour it for one of his buddies with the tap removed. Unbelievably poor service from this guy. Must be friends with the owner to have lasted this long.
(3)
David K.

Encinitas Ale House fills the need in downtown Encinitas for a chill, craft beer-laden place with great burgers. The Ale House has a huge tap list with a lot of rare, special batch local beers. I'm not sure there's a place nearby with more taps actually. Maybe Sublime Ale House. Regardless, it's a place that's serious about its beer. It's not often I can find a place that has two saisons on tap, but this place had it. We've stopped in a few times, and this place is always jam packed. And it's not very big. There are a couple tables in the bar area, and maybe 5 or 6 tables in the back. Granted, the bar is long, and probably can seat 25 people. But it's tough to snag a spot at the bar, or a table in general. It's a location that's begging for double the square footage, so hopefully the busyness and success leads to that down the line. They offer two for one burgers on Tuesday which is awesome, especially when taking into account how delicious their burgers are. I had the Santana on my last visit, covered in ancho mayo, avo, and poblanos. It tasted great, the patty was well formed and loosely packed, and there was plenty of juiciness. Almost too much, as the bun pretty much disintegrated. Still, for 2 for 1, you can't do much better. Especially when you're washing it down with outstanding suds. If it was possible to consistently get a seat at Encinitas Ale House in the evenings, I'd rank this joint at the top of the downtown Encinitas options. As it is, it's great to swing by for some brews, and hope that you luck into a table.
(4)
Rachel F.

I am from the land of beer. There is no land more beer laden than the land I am from. That being said and recognized, I can honestly give the Encinitas Ale House a solid four stars for having a seriously awesome beer list. Really, it's quite good. Belgians and local and IPAs and really, the thing was pretty well rounded-out. Rotating tap selections and a pretty serious by the bottle list. I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. I did not eat here, but bonus points for having rugby on! I like random alternative sports. I could care less about baseball... bu Australian rules football? Okay. Rad place to grab a beer and maybe a bite. It is small... take note!
(4)
Jon R.

I came here on a Saturday between 9 & 10. It was pretty packed, but we were still able to quickly find a table in back that was cleaned right before we sat. Service overall was very quick for everything too. There's also a pretty good beer selection on tap. My wife wasn't that hungry so she just had the crab cake appetizer for a meal and I had fish & chips, which was actually the craving that brought us here. Her crab cakes were just ok; nothing special, but not bad either. The fish & chips were good and I haven't really found any that were great in the area so that's a plus. Although, I'd much rather have either larger pieces of fish or an extra piece than the shrimp they put on there (it comes with 3 pieces of fish & 2 shrimp). The portion size wasn't bad, I'd just rather have only fish & chips over fish & chips & shrimp. Overall, food was a 3 or 3.5, but service, beer selection, and lack of finding any other good fish & chips within 10 minutes of my home bump them up to 4.
(4)
Glenn C.

This ale house is not unlike many others in North County. It's small, somewhat lively and a great place to catch a beer and game if you so chose to with a few friends. Our experience here was pretty good. We found that crab cakes were worth multiple orders right off the bat. They were fantastic, even the small salad that came with them as a garnish was on point. The beer is the real draw here. They have a ton of specialty beers that will keep you coming back for months trying to try them all. We tried several but by the time we got around to picking favorites, no one could remember what each was called. So why not a higher rating? 1. The prices. This ale house is in a prime tourist trap location and the pricing follows suit. I love my micro brews as much as the next guy but don't enjoy paying 11 bucks for a pint all that much. 2. The crowd. Again, I love micro brews and supporting the locals but the crowd in there was a fair bit of beer snobbery. No one enjoys an ethical lesson on brewing purity and atrocities of commercial brewing while they are trying to have a good time. Give it a rest, first class is first class for a reason, no need to look down on coach passengers, jeez. So the bar attracts and fosters this sort of atmosphere. Take it with a grain of salt, prep your beer IQ, and you will enjoy yourself and some great beer!
(3)
lori p.

Went here on New Years Day with the Burger Runners for lunch. They saved us a table which was great due to the same place. My husband was thrilled they had his current beer obsession on tap: Societe Brewings The Apprentice. Apparently he dreams of that beer. Most of the crew had burgers which looked big and tasty. Points for the house made buns! I had fish and chips which also includes a few shrimp. Piping hot, tasty fresh fish in beer batter. The fish tacos looked really good too. My friend next to me had them and they came with a salad. Great beer selection. Chill atmosphere.
(4)
Edward D.

The Santana burger had everything I was looking for, freshly baked bun, and meat cooked to perfection. Don't be fooled by the innocent looking pepper laying on top of the melted cheese. They also had a huge beer selection with ultra rare beers. Couldn't ask for a better burger!
(5)
Lori M.

We stumbled upon the Ale House when looking for somewhere new to eat and what a gem! You wouldn't imagine the farm to table fresh food in a place that looks like this, but that's exactly what you get! This has turned into a regular for us!!
(5)
Deia M.

bomb.com Great food, awesome (huge) beer selection, friendly staff. One of our favorite spots.
(5)
Taylor D.

The joint makes me feel right as rain every time I walk in here. This place is like my security blanket for delicious man-beers. I swear if I hear about you walking in to this place and ordering a domestic draft beer I will be severely disappointed in you, NO SOUP FOR YOU! Open your mouth, insert food, close mouth: The eats here are hearty, which is good because your heart won't be working by the time you leave this place. I may be going out on a limb here and say that a piece of crispy bagette, steak, diced tomato all covered in blue cheese dressing would NOT constitute as bruschetta but hey when you're in America you can call a sandwich a sandwich when it doesn't have bacon in it (which is a sin against all man-kind but thats neither here nor there) The burgers are the true stars up in this joint. Think of the most heavenly combination of drool inducing deliciousness that can be found either on a farm or processed at the butcher and you will find it expertly prepared on a burger here. Don't even risk taking a full bite out of these monsters burgers fit for the size of Andre the Giant on stilts wearing a fat suit, your mouth will be aching from the massiveness before you can say "cholesterol" Be a gentle lad and make sure and tip the young lassies that bring yer ale to yer table.
(4)
Rhondi S.

Great brews on tap, very small and sometimes crowded. Good hearty bistro food - if you're into that, staff can be less attentive if the place is packed
(3)
Bill W.

Yum. Some great hidden gems on draft here. Good choice and a great vibe. Definitely recommend if you're in the area.
(4)
Patrick Z.

I like the Encinitas Ale House. I like it a lot. I've been here a bunch of times and really like the atmosphere (except it's a bit bright), the service, the food and of course, the beer. "Why only three stars?" you ask. Because this place is unnecessarily expensive. The pizza is tasty. The salmon salad and sunflower seed salads are awesome. The burgers are huge. The appetizers are delicious. The beer is magnificent but the booze costs a LOT. Last time I was there, the cheapest glass of wine was $9. Some were up to $14. That's fine if the bottle demands it but most of these bottles either come from Temecula (again, which I love but it's not $12 a glass wine) or are just ho hum. I don't mind shelling out a few bucks for a nice Italian or even a good Napa Valley wine, but no-name or Temecula bottles can't deliver the flavor I'm looking for if spending $12. Also, in my opinion, no restaurant should be without a house wine for six or seven bucks. The beer. They have a great and diverse selection of beer. If you want a Belgian, they don't just have one, they have a selection. Same with stouts, pilsners, hefeweisens and pale ales of all types. They have American Microbrews, German imports, and everything in between. They've got a great selection of bottled beers also. The drawback, once again, is that all of them are about one to one and a half dollars too expensive. I understand they're imported or specialty beers. That's why we come. Please don't rape our wallets when we eat and drink here. Two examples and I'm done sounding like a cheapass. On our last visit, my girlfriend and I order: The Salmon salad, the sunflower seed salad (no meat of any type on this, btw), 2 glasses of wine and 2 beer. The bill came to $65. That's almost $80 with tip. For 2 salads, some mediocre wine and a couple of beers, that seems about $15-$20 too much. A friend at work tells me he and 2 friends went to the Ale House and each had 5 beer. The bill ended up being $125...just for beer! That's over $8 a beer for those of you scoring along at home. These weren't the nutso import bottles that they have in the back of the cooler for the beer enthusiast. They were just the average Ale House beer. This place gets super busy for dinner too. Be prepared to stand and wait if you come at the wrong time. If you don't like doing the lurking thing to get a table, you may not find a spot too quickly here. I really want to like you and visit you often Encinitas Ale House. I really do but I think I'll take my beer drinking money somewhere a bit more reasonable.
(3)
Barry M.

Enjoyed it!
(4)
Randy C.

This review is for the beer and food. I had three samplers of my choice of beers (Flying Dog, Double Stout, Kona Porter). All were tasty. We tried the Kobe Beef burger with the sweet potato fries. I thought the fries were ok, but probably should have ordered something else. The burger was very good. Was it $16.99 good? I don't know. I liked it. But I think next time I would try a different burger and substitute for the fries. We also ordered the Chorizo pizza. Chorizo, Poblano Chile, Asiago with Tomato Sauce. Now this was killer. Really a very unique taste and very good. I enjoyed the crust, so I expect any of their pizzas to be good. But this one was amazing. We went during the third Thursday car thing on the street, so it was crowded and parking sucked... but that was still cool to go out and see the cars after a good meal and good beers. Waitress was very good. Beer selection was good. What else do you need?
(4)
Keith O.

WOW! I was sure surprised when I came here for my first time. When it comes to local microbrews and rare beer from around the world, I go NUTS! I felt as if I was a kid in a candy store. There were so many different beers to choose from. It's a little overwhelming at first, especially since you wouldn't expect such a large list from a small ale house. Where do you put all of them?!? They have Dogfish head 120 minute IPA in bottles! I knew as soon as I saw it on the list I had to have it. The price on this particular microbrew is sold here at a premium, but it is worth every sip. 18% ABV, OH, YES! As for the food here, it's good. They have the usual beer food and BURGERS, salad, pizza, etc... The Kobe Wagyu sliders were really good. Probably one of the best sliders I have ever had. The patty was juicy and filled with flavor! You can really taste the difference. If you are ever in Encinitas, Encinitas Ale House is a must. Have a beer or two and be blown away. Please note that 18% beer will make everything taste good!
(5)
Alex H.

Damn. Damn damn damn damn...DAMN! This was a "Go-To" spot for me with a great selection of wonderful beers and some of the most delicious burgers around. Until.... Well, let's get to that in a minute. To be fair, I'll start with a review untainted by my misfortune (pun intended....you'll see). The Santana Burger is off the hook! Yeah, maybe these burgers are less California and more of the slightly greasy, slightly gnarly bar variety, but man are they good! And what a refreshing beer menu--really quite excellent. I agree that the small size of the place coupled with its popularity often makes it difficult, uncomfortable, or even impossible to sit (especially if you wanna bring your kid or something), but if you and a buddy can mosey up to the bar for some food and drink, you will probably not be disappointed. Now, for the kicker. I'll probably never go back, and that sucks for me. Damn. Last time I was there (a while ago now), I found a penny--YES, a not-so-shiney 1 cent piece--in my burger! Argh! Damn! I miss having this place on my list of options in the area, but I'm glad that all my teeth are still in tact.
(2)
Ryan F.

This is going to be far shorter than my other reviews. I came here to meet a friend who had since moved from Union Kitchen over to this place by the time I arrived. I actually prefer this place to Union Kitchen because I think Union is trying a bit too hard to be cool, among other reasons like being very loud at times. The vibe he was very laid back and relaxed, the patrons seemed amiable, and the bartenders were friendly. The beer selection is pretty awesome here too. They have a large booklet with all the various bottles they carry and it really is an impressive list. Certain bottles seemed pricey for what they were, but this was balanced out by the fact that some were cheaper than they should have been. Bottom-line is that you need to know your shit. I didn't get to try the food, but it smelled and looked delicious. Also seriously, they had and Alligator burger and a sauce called PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals.) Awesome. If I'm in the area I would stop here again.
(4)
Joseph S.

I have been to the Encinitas Ale House many times since they opened a few years ago. There selection of beers is what sets them apart from the rest. They are constantly rotating tap handles and every visit has something new in store. The other positive is the good mix of beers from strong porters, belgians and local IPA's. The food is good for pub food. They are known for their bootlegger burger, which is a burger with bbq sauce, onion rings, bacon and cheese! Had it once and don't think I even finished it since it was so big. It was a tasty burger! They are always serving other wild game burgers such as ostrich or bison. The service is okay nothing great, but what do you expect from a pub. The place is tiny. There are about the same amount of seats at the bar as there are tables. Can be crowded on the weekends, showing up sometimes is a gamble. I would recommend this place to many others in Encinitas, defiantly one to check out!
(3)
Robert M.

Encinitas Ale House (EAH)............has a good beer selection...no, a GREAT beer selection. On Tuesday's there are 2 for 1 burgers (save the Kobe burger) - for $9 to $14 two outstanding burgers both with fries or you can upgrade to the ring of onions or orange colored 'healthy' fries. EAH burgers are VERY good The EAH beer Selection - outstanding Location on PCH See you on Tuesday 5 stars
(5)
Nick E.

In from out of town and grabbed some food and a drink as I heard from a friend that they had just tapped a keg of Pliny the Elder (which is very rare to find and a great beer). The burger was really good and the onion rings were also done just right. Great selection of beers (it is an Alehouse after all) and great food to accompany the beer. Highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys craft beer and awesome food.
(5)
J S.

Really good beer and the best burger caked Santana burger. One thing that it's super small and it's hard to get a seat. Go during off hours and you will love this place!
(5)
Brian K.

It's a good thing I don't live in Encinitas because I'd be at Encinitas Ale House regularly. This is the Blind Lady Ale House of North County. This place has a nice selection of microbrews and a great menu. I had a glass of Airdale's Dark and Stormy. Delicious. The buddy had a glass of Allagash's Cruieux. Delicious. Mushroom marsala burger was good. Not the best but nonetheless, good.
(4)
B D.

LOVVEEEEE this place!!! Amazing biers from everywhere and the food is FABULOUS!!! Great Saturday afternoon pub!
(5)
Jana R.

Good customer service. Like how small it is. Hole in the wall.
(4)
Glaser J.

Wonderful beer selection! Came in here after having dinner at Union. Had a few Mikkeller "I Beat You" beers here and called it a night. Other reviewers mention that service can be spotty here, but our service that night was pretty decent.. but then again we were sitting at the bar. The food they serve here looks good, I will definitely need to come back and try it out, as well as other beers on the menu.
(4)
Alain G.

I like the idea of the Encinitas Ale House. The food is fantastic and the beer selection is second only to Churchill's Pub in San Marcos. The Encinitas Ale House definitely has a "pub" feel to it but there's a California twist to the menu. Rather than just having the usual wings and nacho platter, Encinitas Ale House offers fish tacos, mussels and seared ahi. But never fear beef lovers, they have burgers and pizza too! Lots of the standard classics mixed with options such as "pesto" or "white stone" pizza (both excellent). As I said, the beer selection is fantastic if you're into craft and seasonal selections that pack a hefty punch. If you want large quantities of cheap Coors, you should probably go elsewhere. There are at least two dozen beers to choose from and the menu constantly changes. So, these are all things that I like about the Ale House. What I don't like (and this is a big one) is how small the place is. Realistically this pub needs to be three times bigger for the number of people that patronize it. It's always packed, there's nowhere to sit and there's very little air circulation. There's also this sketchy sign-your-name-on-a-board-to-be-next-for-a-table system. Basically, you have to stay on top of the table situation or you're never going to sit down. So if you happen to wander in around dinner time, this makes for both a slow and somewhat exhausting dining experience. For the record I like popular, crowded places. I get that people want to feel like they're out "doing something." But 6 times out of 10 the Ale House is too crowded for my taste. The beer selection will draw me in but after standing around for twenty minutes drinking, I frequently end up eating elsewhere.
(4)
Sean P.

Encinitas Ale House has one of the best draft selections in North County, followed by an expansive bottle selection ( 32 and ~250 respectively ). The wife had the patty melt with parm fries and I had the special duck burger. Both were in the running with the best burgers in town. The beer selection is substantial. The waitresses were very knowledgeable, which seems to be the norm in SoCal. We joined the "80 beers in 80 days club" and will report back in 80 days if it shows problems as we have joined beer tasting clubs in the past.
(5)
David P.

Customer service is TERRIBLE! We asked about getting a table for dinner and the waitress rolled her eyes at us. We walked out.
(1)
Jenn C.

I have been here twice. Once, I only got a beer. They had some special where the Hofbrauhause hefeweizen came with a logo glass. The beer and the glass was just $6. It was pretty cool. The hefeweizen was actually pretty decent, even though I usually don't like hefeweizens. They have a pretty good selection of beers. They have more in bottles than on tap. The selection they have on tap is decent, but the variety of beers they have in bottles is more impressive. I came here for lunch once also, and ordered the smoked salmon salad. It was ok. I don't know if I would get it again. It was kind of plain and did not leave an impression on me.
(3)
Douglas S.

Great vibes, people, staff, beer and food. What more could you ask for in a beach pub.
(5)
Joe W.

Great beer selection and helpful staff. Go earlier in the day on a weekend. Bring someone who likes Belgium beers. I went here for lunch on Saturday. I was staving for a good home made burger and this was the place. The style of this place was more like a European pub. No top 40 music blasting. Just lots of beer specials written on chalk on the board. Their specials are mostly Belgium beers. I got the Belgium Blond and it was a good step up from a light beer. But at 8% alchohol i still had to let my burger help me dilute the beer in my system. Oh i forgot to mention that they have a great selection of food. I always go for the house burger if they have. The beef is high quality but the fries were a bit lacking in taste. Overall a good experience. Not too loud and great selection of beers on tap.
(4)
Ms S.

Beer Selection - AMAZING! We have been driving around testing out the local pubs and brew houses and this is one of my FAVORITES so far. They have a very large selection of Belgian beers that are very yummy as well as other great European beers. Food - One of the best Angus beef hamburgers I've had. It had cheese melted into the 1/2 lb patty.... hhmmmmmm :-) It's a little hard to spot driving by so keep a look out, and you need to park around back. It's a small place which is it's only real downfall, I would love to have a party there!
(4)
LaLaLolita D.

All I need are some tasty waves and cold brews........ so obvi I love this place! Intimate setting, Great beer (in CUTE beer flight glasses) and fun bartenders. I'm not much of a burger and fried foods eater but based on my friends lack-of-speaking once their plates came, the food seems note worthy as well. I love that the beer list changes, keeps me coming back for more and I love that it's in Encinitas, close to home! -We need more cool bars up here so I can convince my SD friends to drive down. But the thing that took this bar from good to great was the bartender. He was fun, engaging, outgoing and concerned with enhancing our experience; I'm pretty sure he was lit but who cares the service was better than most places I've been and his fun energy was contagious. I'll be back, with friends.... OH PS --Please add better/more sours to the menu and maybe a white! -Thanks
(5)
R. O.

I wrote my first 4 star review of this place over two years ago, and it's gotten even better since then. It's still my favorite place to go for excellent beer. The extensive list is made better by staff who know what they're talking about and can provide informed recommendations. I haven't had a lot off their food menu, but the snack-y type selections (fries, onion rings, salads, mac-n-cheese) are great.
(5)
Leo I.

Delicious! Large-ish beer selection. I like how this place is much more low-key than it's neighbor, Union. I think the french fries could be better - they weren't on par with the burger. Now if only someone would change the channel on the TV... It was a little bro-tastic for my taste, but then again when in rome..
(4)
Ashley N.

If you love beer, this is the place to go. With a gigantic beer menu (bigger than the actual food menu), there is no shortage of options. It's rather small and can get pretty crowded in there, but that kind of keeps with the hole-in-the-wall beer pub vibe. The food is awesome. They have some serious burgers (also have some more gamey burger specials every once in a while like wild boar, buffalo, etc.), the fish tacos with a mango salsa are some of the best I've had (and I've tried A LOT of fish tacos), crispy chicken strips and a fried seafood platter with a spicy marinara sauce (and I don't even like tomatoes) are also really great. I suggest getting there early if you want a seat to enjoy some tasty food, if not, there's always plenty of beer!
(5)
Scott S.

The food is awesome the beers are awesome the bartenders are painfully slow. Thought he forgot about me. Got the calamari and shrimp...a pound of calamari...2 shrimp...50 different beers can't make up for shitty service
(3)
Christopher V.

Awesome beer selection with a great mix of California and European beers. Had a lot of burgers in my time, but this place just continually nails it and is easily one of the top burgers around. Staff is very friendly.
(5)
Shauna M.

Came here last weekend when our planned trip to Union Kitchen and Tap failed, but I was not disappointed at all. I got a mushroom pizza, and my bf got a veggie burger, and we both really enjoyed our meals. The crust on the pizza was very good, and any place that puts a mushroom pizza on their menu is ok in my book. A herbivore gets tired of ordering mushroom and sausage pizzas without the sausage, so I appreciate a place that gives mushrooms the true respect they deserve. I am sure we will be back. What to know before you go: -This place is small. We arrived around 5:30pm before the place starting getting really packed, but by the time we left there were quite a few people standing around waiting for a seat. It sounded like they had some kind of waitlist going, but I am not really sure how it worked, cause there didnt really seem to be a designated hostess around. -They have a few table outside along the sidewalk, but they arent allowed to serve beer out there. I think the food is tasty enough to try even if you dont want to get a beer, and you are probably more likely to find a seat out there if you can live without alcohol. -They have a lot of Belgian style ales on tap and in bottles, and they dont have much of a selection from local breweries. Just be aware of that before you go. -They have a taster flight. 4 beers for $10. I totally missed this when I ordered my beer, and was sad when I found out. I did order one after I was done with my beer though. Then I wasnt sad anymore.
(4)
Nikolina K.

Variety of beers to choose from!!! Had the Costa Rican tacos and they were yummy. Had a rare beer from Russian river called framboise for a cure which was delicious. Overall impressed, clean, and great service from Jared, he is able to hook you up based on your preference/taste.
(4)
Todd P.

Happiness is a beer and a free glass with Lucifer on it. Do I worship the devil? No! But I do worship beer and free stuff. The Buffalo Burger is worthy of worship as well. What a great combination, Gourmet burgers and hundreds of available beers to choose from. Can't decide what beer you want? Just ask one of the knowledgeable staff and they will suggest something to satisfy your taste. As pubs and restaurants expand southward down Encinitas, linking one end of Coast Hwy to the other I am pleased to see the quality and quantity exceed expectation. I love Encinitas and the ability to take an afternoon walk through the shops and drinking holes without the "Frat Crowd" feeling of Pacific Beach. It's a cleaner, friendlier environment. Bartenders seem to care about service and conversation in North County. I want them to know their service is appreciated. Encinitas Ale House is a great addition to my list of favorite places to drink and eat.
(4)
Erin B.

The draft quality and selection is awesome! The place is a little small/cramped, but if you can find a low key night it is an awesome place to check out. Plus, it's more for the beer connoisseur than the beer guzzler. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I've been a few times and been treated with a little "too good for you" attitude, but the atmosphere and ambiance of a traditional ale house/pub that isn't a complete dive is refreshing. And, yes, the food is amazing! Definitely a great place to start the night.
(4)
Alisa M.

I would so give this place 5 stars if the prices were a tad lower. We happened upon this after walking around SRF. I had never been here because I basically chill my butt over at Lumberyard Tavern. Well I am very glad I came here because not only did they serve some fantastic beer they also let me keep the glass and served me a buffalo burger that rocked my world. Staff knew their stuff. I mentioned the types of beers I like and what they suggested hit it just right. I will be back probably for happy hour. I promise. Save me some Lucifer.
(4)
J M.

Great Pizza and Beer. Only problem was the cleanliness and odor. It smells like old wet socks in there. Not a fan of carpet inside a pub. Looks and smells nasty and borderline ruins my appetite.
(3)
Phillip G.

Good selection but seating is TIGHT. Food is decent. I would go again.
(3)
Kristen J.

Absolutely love this place! They have a great beer selection, and the burgers are great. I don't eat hamburgers so they've got a veggie patty for those of us who don't do meat. The Santana Burger is the best thing on the menu! I have always gone in there late at night and they always have the fastest service. Yes, it is a very small place, but it's worth the wait!
(5)
Melanie B.

I went here with four friends for the first time and can't stop talking about it. The food, specifically the white pizza, may be the GREATEST food I've had in a VERY long time. it was AMAZING!!! And the server (wish I knew her name but she had long blond curly-ish hair, probably in her 20's) was the BEST! She was patient, kind, knowledgeable and hard working. May be the new go - to spot.
(5)
Chun P.

"Fill it up again! Its so good! Once it hits your lips, its so good!" -Frank the Tank The big winner was "KWAK BELGIAN STRONG ALE"...$7.50, but it comes in a crazy glass that has this funky wooden attachement to help you hold it. Cool as F$#% and the beer is rich n tasty too. If I was an Encinitian instead of a La Jollian, this would be my place for small group Happy Hours: Drafts $2 off from 400-700pm. Otherwise, the wide selection of beers, while special and tasty, are $7+ each, and a lot of them are served in smaller glasses. Assuming you tip, and since they also add tax onto your tab, two beers can easily cost you almost $20...that said, I'd rather go to one of San Diego's other many microbreweries. FYI 1: Its pretty small, so don't bring a large crowd with you, especially if you want a table, four is good. FYI 2: It has a noticable smell in here. Too much spilled beer I think. Or did I forget to wear deodorant again? FYI 3: They close at 11...early birds. "Honey, you think KFC is still open?" - Frank the Tank
(3)
Scott H.

I really want to give this place a high rating because it has so much to offer, but every time I go there it seems there's something that pisses me off. This last time, I went during happy hour. Mind you, this is a very small place--the bar is in the middle and all around the bar on one side are tables. There are like 4 tables in the front that are "tall" and maybe 6 tables in the back are "short". Well after our meal was done we learned that only the "tall" tables qualified for the happy hour. We had to pay full price. This isn't a partitioned area where one part looks like a restaurant and the other looks like a bar--this is pretty much one small room that looks like a bar. If I can throw a poorly-designed paper airplane made from a napkin from the happy hour tables to the non-happy hour tables, that a pretty fucking stupid policy. Also, if you can't get a seat at either a table or the bar and are standing--unless you have a smoking-hot chick with you or something else drawing a lot of attention--I advise you to walk out. You cannot get served unless you're sitting in my experience--bartenders will simply ignore you if you have the misfortune of having to stand behind the bar. So now I'll go in there, and if I don't see seats available, I just leave. I guess I'll also have to do the same if the few prized "tall" tables are full during happy hour as well. Seems the number of reasons to walk out without spending a dime are rising. The thing that sucks is the place actually has really good bar food and a really nice beer menu. Have been happy with everything I've ordered here. I always WANT to go to this place when I'm in the area; but sometimes I don't feel like dealing with the cons of this place and go to Union or Lumberyard instead (which have different cons of their own). How many stars does a place with really good food and even better beer lose for idiotic happy hour policies, hit-and-often-miss service, and as good a chance I'll be leaving without being able to order as not? Right now I'll say 2.
(3)
April J.

DRINK 80 BEER IN 80 DAYS AND BE ENTERED TO WIN A 7 DAY TRIP TO COLORADO FOR TOURING 5 BREWERIES & SKI/SNOWBOARDING IN BRECKENRIDGE!! NO COST TO ENTER!! another spot that supports local and domestic beers. Also a happy hop walk away from home :) TABLES ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE, place is kinda small but quaint. a great addition to Encinitas.
(4)
Jacqui D.

this was the second time we have been to this restaurant, It will be our last. both times the food was good but we got the same waitress, she is not friendly. The first time we let it slide. I do not know her name but she has dark hair and works the bar area. today we came with my in-laws. my father in low did not know what type of beer to order and he asked what was close to a Sierra Nevada and she brought some beer that was terrible not even close to a sierra Nevada and took it away because he didn't like it but they charged him anyways! then they brought my mother in law's food wrong. when the waitress brought back the food cooked correctly she was very short with us. Our burgers were good but it was the service that was lacking. I suggest that you get better servers with more knowledge of beer and better personalities. We will be staying in Carlsbad from now on for our micro breweries since we live here.
(2)
Johnny R.

It's a crying shame when you find a place that has great beer and great food.....you start to think to yourself.....ohhhhh yea this is it!......and then it happens.....you get slapped in the face with just horrible service. I get it on a busy day....but there was just nobody to attend to...I should have felt like a king in the place. It saddens me to find a place that has soooooooo much upside and have it simply disappear when you have a waitress that just doesn't get it......come on!!!!! I can only hope the owner reads these reviews and shakes up the staff....it's a diamond in the rough and a little attention to the details will make this place off the charts.
(3)
Liz L.

During my first visit, I was so excited about this place I could hardly contain myself. But the magic fades every time I go back. Yes, they have a great beer selection, and they have beer you won't find anywhere else. Their menu is also pretty varied and everything my friends and I have tried has been really tasty. But I'm sad to say, it is SO expensive. I got a 10" cheese pizza and a beer (which wasn't even a full pint) and it was $23! It seems crazy to me that ordering 2 beers will cost me $17 with tip. This is a small little ale house in Encintas, not some freakin' club downtown. The other downer is that it's pretty small, so when the bar and tables are full, you can't even really stand around and sip your brew. Surely, I will be going back someday, but alas, my budget won't allow me to be a regular. I'm really not sure it's necessary for them to be so pricey. Maybe they could replace some of their imports with locally crafted beer and lower their prices while helping local businesses?
(3)
Heather W.

Went here to catch the charger game. That was fun... EXCEPT the sea food was awful and my poor husband got food poisoning.
(1)
Stephanie L.

We were there on a Tuesday and they had 2 for 1 burgers. Veggie patty was amazing along with they rest of my burger. Great beer selection too.
(4)
Angela C.

I had a burger and an IPA on an awkward date here. Definitely not a good first time date spot but the burger was actually really tasty and the beer selection was impressive. It was a bit busier and noisier than I would have thought and seemed a tad expensive.
(4)
Kelsey B.

Came here recently on a Saturday for dinner. Arrived around 630 to a full restaurant. A friendly guy at the bar moved so my friend and I could sit. The bar staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the beers on tap with some great recommendations, however it did take a few minutes to actually get a beer and put an order in. My friend and I both got burgers (mine was the veggie and his was a kobe). Both delicious however SUPER MESSY. I would suggest that these be eaten with a fork and knife (which we were not given) because they are so huge. I would go back here for sure, great local spot and feels comfortable.
(4)
Frederick H.

Last Sunday, I went to the Encinitas street fair with my wife. Ah, all the pre-Christmas craft bargains to be had. Booth after booth of stuff that we just couldn't resist (but somehow did). Eventually I got permission to walk off and explore on my own. Turning the corner, I see people at tables outside, a guitarist playing, an alehouse. "Alehouse?" I pondered, "Haven't seen that there before. Guess that means I need a beer." The place was fairly full, though there was room at the dark end of the bar - everyone wanted to be out in the sun, apparently. Several televisions playing some sport or another. Wow - a big chalkboard filled with Belgian beers, most of which I've tried, a few I hadn't. Opted for a Delerium Tremens because I haven't had one on tap for a while. Served in an appropriate glass (with a DT logo, even - thought I might get to take it home!) Smells great, but still tastes bitter and lager-y. Sat at the bar and chatted with some women who wouldn't have known a stout from a pilsner. Had the "grass fed kobe wagyu buger" - great meat, great bun, tasty cheese (gruyere and gorgonzola - would have liked a little more of it), yummy onion strings. Can't say I really could tell the meat was massaged and beer-fed; it was expensive as hell for a burger but I enjoyed it. Asked the tender for a next beer recc, chose the Shipyard XXXX, very hoppy, sweet and dark, solid aftertaste. Afterward, the street fair seemed brighter and happier, and my wife managed to talk me into spending money on gifts.
(4)
Steph H.

Great beer selection, good food bar atmosphere
(4)
Bernadette M.

Beer, beer, and more beer... Basically you'll love this place if you love beer. The guys were all giddy looking at the menu. It's like that Heineken commercial where these chicks are getting all orgasmic over this huge walk in closet full of shoes ,while the guys in the other room were orgasmic over the walk in fridge full of heinekens. haha Like everyone else said, this place is narrow and tiny. Maybe 5 or 6 tables in the back in addition to the bar setas. So not really the place to roll in with 10 of your homies. But it can be done since there were 10 of us and were lucky enough to snag two of the tables. The food was hit or miss. Waitress said their specialties were the burgers and pizza, though tacos are listed on the menu as their specialties. I liked my marsala mushroom burger and my bro liked his wild boar burger (special of the day). But Mauricio didn't like his venison burger and my friend didn't care for the fish tacos. The beer is served in really cool glasses. There are also certain beers (sorry I forgot which ones) that come in glasses that you can take home. Good thing I'm out of my klepto phase, otherwise those beauties would've come home with me.
(4)
Rob L.

Only been there twice and had the same thing both times because it's so damned good! The Signature Harmonica Bill Bootlegger Burger is awesome, I bet I get it again next time I am there. Since I am moving to San Diego soon, I'll probably get in more often and try some other goodies.
(5)
Angie O.

This place is great! I ordered the mushroom pizza - YUM! There are a lot of veg options on the menu, which is what gave them the fifth star. I'm not a beer connoisseur, so I was impressed that the server really knew the beer they offered, so when I said my favorite brew is New Castle, he made a comparable suggestion which I thought was delicious! I like the atmosphere here too, it's small and popular so it gets a little tight, but somehow that's what's cool about it.
(5)
Talia D.

I've been here several times. The drinks are good. The food, however, is another story. Burgers are consistently undercooked. My husband ordered a cheeseburger well-done, only to receive a medium-rare burger. I made the mistake of ordering a medium burger, only to receive a grossly undercooked/very rare burger. I told my waitress, who was anything but nice and had a rather haughty attitude. She took my burger back to be cooked longer (or microwaved, who really knows). It was returned to me 20 minutes later (on a slow night) incredibly greasy, with wilted lettuce, and cooked no more than it was when I received it. Meanwhile, the rest of my party had already finished their meals. Though I may return for a drink now and again, be assured I will never order food from them again.
(2)
victoria k.

Good small place in Encinitas right over on the 101. When I visited Encinitas Ale House, the draft list consisted of loads of Belgians and some top shelf West Coast brews. Speedway Stout on draft, which is one of my favorites. Happy hour and daily specials were fairly good, just about every draft beer on Mondays is 2 dollars. They claim to have exceptional burgers, and that's no lie. Half pounders of juicy deliciousness. Not a location to get your party on, but a good, clean place for some terrific grub, superb beers and friendly service.
(4)
Gena L.

I am disappointed to have to give the Ale House 3 stars but it really only deserves 1 star if this review was based on my last visit. I have been coming here the past couple of years and enjoyed the atmosphere, beer variety and calamari plate. However, my recent visit was just plain awful. I love most beers and went with a recommendation from the bartender that was so bad that I couldn't choke more than half of it down. Also, they changed the clamari plate to include scallops and shrimp...and all of it was beyond terrible. I'm hoping this was just an off night for them but it does seem like there has been a trend downward looking back on my last few visits. It will be a while before I give it another chance.
(3)
Brian S.

The best beer selection anywhere in North County coastal. The staff is friendly and the food is esquisite, although a little overpriced. The best option for an upscale pub-style dining and drinking establishment around!
(4)
andre r.

Great selection of beer. Great food. The only issue is the tight quarters that defines the restaurant. Not a problem during off - hours, but becomes annoying during peak times, as the service tends to wane, and the waitresses become noticeably crabby. Prices can get high for some of the specialty beers and prices are not too clearly stated, so keep an eye on your tab before it gets out of hand
(4)
Katee M.

I really like the new concept (used to be Luxus 101) however the new layout makes restaurant feel a bit awkward. Great selection of beer. Service can be good some nights and spotty on other nights. Last time I was there I had a salad that was amazing. The previous time though I ordered fish and chips which should have been cod. I bit into them and thought they tasted funny. I looked at the fish and it was pink! Upon investigation, it turned out to be be salmon and not cod. The server told me that they must have ran out of cod and so the guys in the kitchen just made an executive decision and decided to try to pass of salmon as fish and chips. I actually found that entertaining. I ended up just having a salad, which was good. I hope to din there again soon to be able to re-review and hopefully add an extra star. They had the most amazing burgers when it was Luxus, so hopefully those have not changed.
(3)
Mas B.

This place cares about the beer they serve. No bud light please I'll take a cold Triple from Belgium in the proper glass. Very sophisticated menu for beers. Food is good, great pub for the town.
(4)
Keri S.

My man and I went here a few weeks ago, and I loved it! I was really happy with Encinitas Ale House. This place is pretty tiny, but that's part of the appeal. We really weren't too hungry when we first arrived, and really just wanted a beer flight, but I ended up changing my mind once I saw the Caesar sandwich on the menu. Gosh it was good. My guy ended up getting the crabcakes and loved them.. and it came with a little side salad that hit the spot for him. The greatest part of this visit was our waitress, Allison. (I hope I spelled it right, girl!) She knew what she was talking about when my man had a million questions about the beers available, and understood exactly what I meant when I said I like an easy drinking, light beer. I ended up having the Harlot and it was great. I couldn't remember what beers were in the flight except the Strawberry ale, which was really good! Towards the beginning of our dinner, Allison had a tough table that was super unhappy about something (I know it was of their own making) and she handled it like a pro. I'm mostly leaving this review because she was awesome and deserves the recognition. So thank you for the great service! We'll be back soon!
(5)
Cindy L.

If you're in Encinitas with a craving for a burger and beer, you're at the right place! And if it happens to be a Tuesday, even better! Why? Because it's Tuesday Burger Night with 2 for 1 burgers with the purchase of 2 drinks! How awesome is that!? I went with my boyfriend and we had an incredible experience - from the service to over 80 beers available for thirsty patrons! And the burgers...oh the burgers. They were so juicy and flavorful, I didn't want it to end! But fear not, I'll be back next Tuesday! :)
(5)
Justin M.

Party of two around 2:00pm on the 4th of July (2015). Sat in the back, with a nice view of one of three TVs that was playing the Word cup. Our server was attentive and was just the right amount of nice. The menu is pub fair with a fun twist, well organized and not to overwhelming. Ordered the wedge salad and the Wagyu burger, they were kind enough to do an even split, with extra fries which was a very pleasant surprise. Great atmosphere as the lighting was someone dim. The food was good, not spectacular but solid. Unbelievable selection of beer, maybe the best in all of SD. Story: There were two dudes and a chic ( all 30ish) who stumbled in; all pretty hammered. They weren't causing a scene but were clearly shitfaced. The bartenders served the chic who was the most sober of the group. They were acting a little sloppy, bumbling around, when they were eventually asked to leave. I was very impressed to see the bartender follow them out to the car which was a good 1/8 of a mile and discouraged them not to get in it. It appeared that the dude was talked to his senses as he climbed in and out from behind the wheel eventually out. They would have definitely hurt someone had they drove off. Great awareness and good looking out for the community.
(4)
Cerena P.

Amazing place! It's pretty tiny but the food is incredible! It's absolutely delicious and they have so many great options. Not to mention the beer menu! Hundreds to choose from!! It's a little overwhelming there's so much! Our waiter was great we just explained what kind of beer we like and he came back with beers that were perfect for us. Great place friendly and helpful servers and excellent food!
(5)
Aaron H.

Crazy selection of Belgium beers + freshly fried seafood = a little slice of heaven. Walk in to a cool darkl bar. Just seeing the interior, I knew instantly this place took their beer seriously and I was in for a treat. Probably over 200 beers offered here. Belgium beer selection is solid and great way how they broke them down on the menu. Had to go with the Old Speckle Hun on nitro and some fish & chips. The Old Speckle Hen didn't taste as good on nitro as it does in a bottle or regular tap. The fish & chips were great. Perfect color and great crunch on these. Love they throw a few shrimp in and give a huge lemon on the side. The fish inside was perfect with nice succulent flakes just coming right a part. Fries were pretty good, but a little over shadowed by the seafood. Great place to grab beers, eat, or both.
(4)
Bonnie G.

Tuesday is BOGO free burger day...and that explains the crowds! A friend and I arrived around 6:45, put our name on the clipboard list (and please- write your name down, don't just scope out tables!) The burgers here are fantastic as is their beer! Get the flight, you won't be disappointed! Our server was delightful and didn't miss a beat. The portions are huge and I devoured my burger like I was in training for an eating competition. I think I would've won. I'll be back!
(4)
Angela C.

Best Burgers in Encinitas! This is such a fun place to just sit back relax, drink beer and eat a delicious burger. They are known for their 80 day beer challenge which is where you come in for 80 straight days and have a beer. I personally don't know anyone who has completed or is currently working on it, but it is a very unique club! I have been over a dozen times and I love getting a new beer on tap every time. They have a bunch of burgers on their menu and they always have two burger specials, which are exotic and tasty, so I usually go with that. Between my boyfriend and I we have had lamb, camel, bison, buffalo, alligator, and venison burgers....so good! The calamari apetizer is also delicious, spicy and tangy. The place is on the smaller side, so if you come on a weekend or game night, get here early to grab some seats. If you haven't been here yet, you are missing out!
(5)
Raymond A.

Great bar for lunch, great beer selection and a cool unhealthy 80 beers in 80 days contest. I had the patty melt, it sucked, but everyone else reg burgers were great. The parm fries were good too. I recommend sitting at the bar as the tables can get cramped in the back.
(5)
Martin W.

Awesome place. Can't beat the happy hour. Great people. Bartenders comical!!! Food very fresh. Kobe beef sliders to die for for.
(5)
Barbara N.

Yum and Fun! I love "Two for Tuesday" Burger Specials. Their Seared Ahi Tuna Salad is also really good. Great service and fun place to watch sports with friends.
(5)
Andy M.

The burger I just ate was deeeeeeeelicious. And the half priced happy hour items look tasty too. Can't wait to come back. I want to try that steamy Mac.
(5)
Mark E.

Great burgers, good beer and met some cool peeps. My lady and I were out scoping neighborhoods and got hungry. So, of course we used Yelp to help us find something. And if you know me, burgers were on the top of my list! We shared the BBQ burger and the garlic burger. Along with some cajun seasoned fries and garlic parmesan fries. The BBQ burger was delicious- the sauce was good, the onion straws were crispy, the bacon was cooked to perfection and the cheese was melted just right. The garlic burger was GARLICY!! What else can I say??? We can't wait to go back!
(5)
Erich C.

Bam! What a brilliant little place. My wife, friend and I walked in for dinner on a quiet Monday night and I'm sure glad we did. The Hits: * GRASS FED KOBE WAGYU BURGER Where has this been all my life?? Sooo good! * Wychwood "Hobgoblin" Brown Nice beer in a crazy little witches mug. * "Specials" chalk board with Elk or Venison Burgers. Our friend had the Elk and loved it. ** Update: I also recently had Kangaroo here The Misses: * Didn't get ketchup with our amazing fries. They didn't really need ketchup but still... * Mac n Cheese Pizza. Meh. My wife liked it though. * Kinda pricey? 2 burgers + pizza + 3 beers + tip = $90+ This is a cool joint and another reason to add to the "I wish I lived in Encinitas" list. I'm sure glad our friend lives just down the street ;-)
(5)
Emily F.

This is tough because food was KILLER and GREAT prices. But service sucked. When she did pay attention to me she was very nice. But I HATE it when I walk in as a single and I get crappy service because I'm by myself. Cool little divey bar atmosphere, menu is fantastic and so reasonably priced. I ordered Baja fish tacos and a basket of their garlic fries (GET THE SPICY MAYO as a side)....food was fantastic, and with a root beer the total w tax was $19. Their ranch dressimg totally sucked. But the spicy mayo was bomb and I liked their hot sauces. But once I got my food (which came really quickly, fast kitchen on a Saturday afternoon) she didn't once come ask how I was doing or if I needed anything, and when I finally flagged her down (she had four tables ) to ask for a to go box, she brought the check without asking if I wanted something else or offer to refill my empty drink. She wasn't flustered or super busy, and when I'm eating by myself, it really makes a difference when the server acts like like I'm just as important as the table of two. So even though food and prices were amazing, the service is just as important to me and although she was nice, I obviously didn't matter to her. Hence, three stars. However, I'll definitely be back.
(3)
Crystal M.

What a great and very chill place! Feels like a local spot, but even if it's your first time they treat you like they've known you forever. The food was fresh and no less than amazing! It's great that they have so many food and beer options, there is really something for everyone. Will definitely be back:)
(5)
Jeff K.

Get some friendly help for Petes sake! Had to wedge our way in from a blocking waitress too busy flirting with her table. No one cared to ask if we might like a beer. After being ignored for what seemed like an eternity, we made our way back out the same way we came in, and yes, Ms. Flirty was still blocking the exit, oblivious to anyone except the 4 ogling patrons at her table. Try Lumberyard across the street, at least they acknowledge your presence.
(1)
Connie G.

As many times as I have drove up in down the coast I wish this place would of caught my eye sooner! Their menu is ta die for for drinks!!! Beer, Beer, and yup more beer! Love how they have local beers, traditional beers, state beers, and different country beers! I could sit here for hours!!! This place is like a dive bar small and locals but if you gear towards the back you may find a table or two for you! The food is okay go for the Dave's fries they are perfect with beer and more beer haha! Prices vary so you can spend as little or as much as you want. I love that they have some of my favorites from out of town like Boulevard from Missouri! Want an IPA, they got it, Pale Ale? They got it, Blonde, yupo they got it, Stout check that off too! What about wine yippee they have it! A place where all your drinking dreams come true! So clap your hands and stomp your feet this place is for sure a treat!
(5)
F P.

Casual atmosphere amazing food and insane beer selection. Seriously more beers than you could drink in a lifetime. Ate and drank like a boss! Order one of their grass-fed Kobe burgers and some fine tasting flights and they'll have to kick you out at closing time- make sure to have Max help you out. We love this spot and so will you! Cheers!
(5)
John C.

Service is usually slow and inattentive. Almost comically bad because they don't seem to care much. I feel like I'm in Paris. On the other hand, best food in Encinitas. Incredible and eclectic. I would go a lot if the bartenders worked harder. The service at the tables on the other hand is quite good.
(4)
Shaun S.

Encinitas Ale House was on my place of burger eateries to try out. My wife and I stopped in for an early Saturday lunch. My wife started off with a flight. The first beer list provided wasn't accurate so we were given a second list. That wasn't accurate either, thankfully the third time was the charm for what was available. I ordered the Bootlegger as I enjoy BBQ burgers with bacon on it. Portion size of the burger and fries is massive so you better bring your appetite. The burger was pretty tasty but I prefer Phils if I had to choose a BBQ burger. The bun size and onion string portion ratio was a bit too much for my liking. The fries were hot and also a very large portion. My wife had the ahi salad which she enjoyed but was still hungry afterwards. Our service was pretty good, they put the Flyers game on for me after I asked. If you are looking for a burger and brew I suggest stopping by on Tuesday for the 2 for 1 burger night with purchase of 2 beverages from 4 to 8pm. I would review it at 3.5 if Yelp would allow half stars.
(3)
Troy K.

Stopped by yesterday for a burger and beer with a buddy. I have heard great things. Let me start with the beer selection. If you want it, I am pretty sure they have it (except maybe Budweiser). A good selection of beers on tap. I am an IPA fan, and wish they had a better option than Stone in the 6%-7% ABV range. They had a few double IPA options on tap, which was nice. I ordered their "degree" burger. It has a crazy name, but is the longitude/latitude of somewhere. Basic cheeseburger with pickles tomatoes lettuce and grilled onions. Burger was cooked perfect and was tasty, but the bun seemed a little much, and perhaps not too fresh. I ordered a salad with the burger instead of fries, and it was good. However, the $2 up charge seemed a bit high for a super small side salad. Service started out good. sat at a table and bartender was there QUICK. However, we were moved to the server and she wasn't too attentive. May of had another beer if she was on her toes. If you are stopping in for a quick beer and want selection, I think it is a 4-star joint. Food is good, not great. My buddy "liked" his Western Burger, but wasn't overly impressed. If you are staying for more than one beer, expect a 3-star experience.
(3)
Hollie M.

I'm just gonna say, I'm glad we went when it wasn't crowded or else I might not have gone in. It's tiny but has top shelf food and drink. We had the calamari with spicy tomato sauce as an app. It was fresh and so good! There were 4 of us and we each got something different for the entree portion. Macaroni and cheese pizza?! SO. GOOD. Fish and chips and shrimp was fantastic. Surf n'Turf burger with a crab cake instead of a burgle was amazeballs! The Santana burger was glorious. Great beers, great service. This place rules.
(5)
Ben H.

We just left here. We came in during the street fair so we understood it was going to be busy. We went to the back and saw a table but it had yet to be bussed. I went to go ask the gentleman working the POS system if it was okay to have a seat. He was casually having a conversation with his buddy and went over to their table to converse. I waited until he was done to approach him and ask "Excuse me sir, may we sit at this table after it's been bussed?" Before I could get to may, he rudely interrupted and said "You need to give me a minute, not my fault you sat at a dirty table." I work in the restaurant industry. Yes I understand you're busy, yes I can forgive the fact you didn't bus your table and was talking to your friend, but to rudely interrupt a guest before they can ask a question because you're busy just means you're a lousy server/bartender. We walked out. I'm sure this place was going to be good but we didn't get a chance to try because of this person's attitude.
(1)
Amanda M.

Always have an amazing time here. The food is huge portions, super delicious and tons of beer options. Make sure to arrive early because it gets packed early. The only problem and reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars was it's very small inside and when crowded it's sooo loud! Even if people are speaking at normal volumes it echoes and is extremely loud, only draw back but totally worth still going and having their amazing burgers. They also have a fun beer program you can join that's 80 beers in 80 days. Worth giving it a shot!
(4)
Seth S.

The burger here doesn't do it for me. I think it's too much bun. Also a great cheese burger has delicious cheese cooked into the meat and this isn't the case. The beer selection is good but after trying two burgers I'm sticking to drinks from now on. Disappointed by all the hype over the burgers. Also I had the garlic parmigiano fries and again I'm not impressed. The parmigiano wasn't melted. Bartender is really good. I think the 83 degrees burger is better
(3)
Mark H.

Killer burgers, and the draft craft beer selection is darn respectable! Really fun place to while away the evening, people watching and eavesdropping while packing in the absolutely awesome sweet potato fries. I'll be back! Whoever brewed that Hoppy Birthday IPA certainly earned my respect!
(4)
Jolynn Q.

Yes, yes, yes!!! My god... The burger (bootlegger) was HUGE and so tasty. I upgraded to the garlic fries, so glad I did. I can't remember the last time I ate with so many sound effects. The server was nice kept our drinks filled. The good came out fairly quickly and the place has a great old town bar feel to it. I really enjoyed my burger. If your feeling frisky try the hot sauces available at your table. Don't got crazy until you get a feel for them but it was the icing on my cake ( or burger shall I say) yum yum is all I have to say..
(5)
Jeremy S.

Encinitas Ale House is my go to for burgers and a good Belgian beer. In my opinion, they have the best burgers in north county, I would advise anyone to give them a try, I don't think you'll be disappointed... The staff is always friendly and suggestive with their tremendously large beer menu. You won't find Budweiser or Coors on the menu here, only smaller authentic beers on draft and a ton of bottles! It is very very small, so Fridays and Saturdays are a bit crowded. Great spot just kick it with some friends, watch a game, drink a beer and eat a burger. Pros- BURGERS! Beer Ambiance Atmosphere Service Location Cons- Small and crowded Table wait can be long Loud
(5)
Nancy D.

The best place to broaden your beer palate. If you appreciate knowledgeable servers that can turn you onto new beers and especially an amazing collection of ever changing belgian beers there is no other place to go than the Ale house. Even the food is good. Their salads and burgers never disappoint. Small and local vibe. Gets busy on the weekends.
(5)
Zach B.

So this place has grown on me. I am a big fan now! Sure its still a little pricey but it does go a long way to have a cool little spot that is a little different that your average sports bars. My new thing is getting the mac and cheese and an order of hot wings. Roll your hot wings in the delicious mac and cheese and boom! Cheesy buffalo wings and buffalo spiced mac and cheese. Its not your everyday average Joe bar which is a great thing.
(4)
Myles M.

Super cool little spot. Took,the kids age 5 to 10 there for lunch and they looked the burgers and the Muscles were off the hook. I had the shrimp burger which is a crabcake with jumbo shrimp in a tomato bernaise sauce that was,no point. Too early for,the beer selection but the beer and wine list was,huge
(5)
David C.

Had crab cakes and a flight. Both pretty good. They don't add filler in the crab cakes and give you three pieces, good for sharing. The selection of beer is great, their beer menu is bigger than their food menu, I would come back.
(4)
RAMON S.

Very nice beer selection and good food. Servers are very nice . I am definitely coming back!!
(4)
John B.

Ordered a blond ale, when the waitress brought it, the beer was warmed. When I brought it to her attention and asked for a cold one, she said, "we don't give refunds on beer". We'll never go back.
(1)
Melissa W.

Great selection of beers, I think they have something like 31 beers on tap! I ate the Kobe beef sliders here. They were okay, nothing spectacular. The seasoning tasted a bit off, like they needed to use more salt. They were also pretty undercooked (even for me, and I like my meat bloody). Either way, a nice joint, super friendly staff. It got pretty crowded there on a weeknight from about 7:30pm, so get there early if you want a seat at the bar.
(4)
Rob D.

I have heard from a number of friends that Encinitas Ale House does a good burger. They are on the main drag on Coast Highway in downtown Encinitas. There is a good vibe and a good feel to the place. Jared who was tending bar was attentive and friendly. There were several burgers on the menu and two burgers specials of the day that were a lamb burger and an elk burger. Very interesting. But, I wanted to try just a basic burger so that nothing would be overpowering the meat. Thus, I ordered their basic cheeseburger that comes with lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, pickle and caramelized onions for $10.50. I paid $1.75 extra to add bacon. The star ingredient, the burger patty, was good sized, juicy, had a nice grilled flavor and the taste was beef forward. Very good tasting. The bun had the right amount of sweetness to it and stood up well to the rest of the ingredients. The bacon, which was perfectly cooked, smoky and somewhat thick, gave the burger just the right amount of richness that was counterbalanced by the acidity of the thick sliced tomato and the crispy slices of dill pickle. All of the ingredients nicely complimented the beef patty so that the patty and its nice flavor stood out and was the star of the show. The only critique is that the bun was a little dry and did not stand up as well as it should to the rest of the burger. It was still one of the better burgers that I have had. The french fries that came with the burger were average. They could have been a little crispier on the outside. Nothing to write home about. But, again, the burger was very good.
(4)
Aakash G.

Nice ale house with nice burgers. What more do you want? Check it out. Bring a good friend, because you'll want to stay to have a few more brews and bites.
(4)
Debbie H.

Soooo many beers to choose from on Draft including 2 Stouts and a Porter and Allagash cureiux triple bourbon barel aged...oh goodness... that alone should earn it 5 stars. ;) Oh when will these other beer places catch up? ;p I love the vibe of this place, it's a cool little hang out spot- great place to grab a burger and beer and watch the games at the bar area. The food is pretty good and they do have a good variety to choose from including fish options. I did the flight tasting and I really could have kept going with all that they had to offer. I love walking in this area too, the parking isn't so bad, I parked about 3 blocks up thinking I wouldn't have a chance but there was plenty. It's places like this that makes me miss living in San Diego so much.
(5)
Kim D.

Pear salad is the best salad I have ever had. Great selection of beers. Accommodating staff!!
(5)
Ed F.

I'm super glad I did my research and found this place on our San Diego trip. This place has awesome burgers, great beers and really good service. There selection is amazing. They had Pliny and Nelson on Tap and it was great to try them side by side. We will definitely be returning to this sleepy town destination. I had the Kobe burger which was 10oz. of pure awesomeness. I savored every bite and would highly recommend it. The other burgers we tried were also swell. This place is a craft beer lovers dream come true- be sure and stop by if you are passing through. I'd definitely be frequenting this place is we were locals!
(5)
Ronald D.

Few things in life have the uncanny ability to make you smile. For some it is there first born child, others it may be a long bicycle ride along the coast, and maybe for others it is peering through the vents of a porta-potty on the boardwalk in Mission Beach secretly masturbating to the scantily clad females enjoying the summer sun. For me, it is none of that. Children are gross, bicycles hurt my lower back, and I hate Mission Beach. What I do appreciate is great bar food, a strong ale, and my lovely lady getting all huffy n'' puffy at me again because she thinks I wasn't listening to her. Just cause you can't repeat what someone just said does not mean you weren't listening. Some of the reviews for this place are so off base. Someone said the food was too greasy. Jeez o' Pete! What are you doing at a beer bar complaining about greasy food when everyone knows you would rather be at home watching your deluxe DVD addition of the Vagina Monologues while eating the most amazing salad! Good bar food is greasy. If you don't leave a restaurant that specializes in beer and burgers with a stomach ache then you have obviously failed in life and I am sorry for that.
(5)
David T.

I want to like this place because they have a big beer selection. Unfortunately, the selection is kind of... weird. Lots of belgians and poor offerings from otherwise solid breweries. This is not a problem. In fact, I like access to unusual beers. There are lots of gems out there. No, the problem is that I have never tried most of these beers. So, naturally, before dropping $7+ on a strange beer, it is nice to try a little sip. I have never been denied a request to try a taste of 1 or 2 beers. Often, a bartender will let me try several. This makes sense, because if I end up buying a beer I like, I am far more likely to buy more. On the other side, if I get a beer I don't like, I am more apt to stop after one. This experience has been true of every brewery, ale house, etc that I have ever been to. When I asked to try taste of a belgian that was recommended by the bartender, but that I had never heard of, he (Jared was his name, I think) told me that they don't do tastes. I could, however, spend $2.50 on a 5oz glass just to find out if I like it. I couldn't believe it. No taste? Not even one little sip? Even though it absolutely guarantees that I will get a beer that I like. It isn't as if I would "taste" 15 beers then walk out without paying anything. I wanted to find a beer I liked so that I could buy a full glass of it, and probably several, as well as recommend it to my friends. I didn't really know what to do, but he was insistent that I could not try any beer until I bought it. He mentioned something about it being illegal. I don't know if that is true or not, but it doesn't seem like any other bar in the world abides by such laws. So, after mulling the situation for a bit, I decided to try a full glass of the beer he recommended based on other beers I like. Turns out, it sucked. So, $7.50 down the drain, and a bad taste in my mouth. On the upside, this place has a wide beer selection. On the downside, you can not know which ones you like unless you are willing to pay for such knowledge (because, clearly, the bartender is not so good at recommendations). The food is pretty OK. And expensive. And I had such high hopes.
(2)
Michael K.

This place has gone down south significantly! We went on a Sunday night, and maybe thats the problem? Every piece of food we ordered was, undercooked or over salted or over spiced . Ive been going here for a a couple years because the beer selection is quite good but this was the worst experience ever. I don't know if they got a new chef and new waitstaff or they fired everyone and are starting from scratch, but they should hire everyone back.. The waitress not only served the wrong beer twice, but then still charged us for them! It's a shame, cause I love the premise, love the beer selection the service and the food just just drove me away.
(1)
Kungfu J.

Beer week this week! Expansive and consistently rotating premium beer selection. Best burgers in North County. Great service. Kinda small, so get reservations if you need to seat more than a few people. Tuesday is 2-for-1 Burgers from 4-8pm. Mon-Fri happy hour 4-6pm (second beer only $2 & half price starters) Service is excellent! Highly recommend the Santana Burger, the Bootlegger burger and the Beer Battered Chicken Tenders. The pizzas and lunchtime sandwiches aren't anything special, but perhaps that's just me.
(5)
Amy H.

Been here a few times and LOVE it. Pros: - Amazing food: try the mac n' cheese or ahi poke. Also great burgers (or so my friends say who have gone here with me...I don't eat red meat though). - Great beer selection - Friendly staff Cons: - Super tiny, which means it fills up fast and there's usually a wait (but it's worth it!) - Bathroom is outside in an alley...a little odd, but probably has something to do with the space.
(4)
Christopher K.

Small and gets crowded, but great Belgian beer. I hope they can make it bigger. Staff was nice. Chorizo pizza was awesome.
(4)
Greg L.

Local news headline: "Local bar sells delicious beer and food at soaring prices." That pretty much sums this place up. The best selection of foreign beers in North County, most of which are $7.50 per glass (which may or may not be a full pint) and a good assortment of quality bar food. My wife and I went there and had 3 beers each and walked out spending about $50 with tip. But the beer was awesome, so you get what you pay for. I really like the Kwak beers. I also had weird service from a shorter guy with black hair. He said, "Do you know what you would like to order because if you need some more time there a few other things I could do." Not the suavest choice of words. Anyways, if I'm feeling spendy I'll go to the Ale House and enjoy some good foreign beers, but it won't be a weekly hangout for me. I much prefer Pizza Port's beers and pizza for a cheaper price. Support San Diego crafted beer!
(3)
Matt K.

I counted 29 taps and the selection changes pretty regularly. While not the 'best beer selection in California' it is good. Every time I've been here, the food is excellent. From Ahi poke to boar burger and sweet potato fries. The bar staff is excellent, friendly and knowledgeable. Parking is on the street in downtown Encinitas so good luck.
(5)
Kalista B.

Awesome, awesome place. Driving around on Christmas Eve, my better half was craving a beer, burger, and fries. I caught Encinitas Ale House out of the corner of my eye, and did a donut into a parking spot (okay, maybe I just did a normal U-turn, whatever). The tap list was huge, and the bottle list equally as great. I usually go right to something I can count on, but with so many options that sounded good, I asked for the best holiday beer on tap, and got it. They snuck our order in before the kitchen closed. I ordered a veggie burger (which is a Boca patty, making it vegan!) with an awesome bar-b-que sauce and some caramelized onions and lettuce. HUGE and super good. Great fries too. It was a relatively slow night (apparently), so we got some nice attention from the server. Talked about beer with him a bit - always a plus! Loved the vibe and all of the vintage beer posters and tins on the walls. So badly wish this place was up by my house! Can't wait to go back the next time I visit SD - I need beer to make it through "family time."
(5)
Jesse S.

Burger was great!!!... The place was small, personal and had a great staff. My girlfriend and I ordered the beer sampler and then picked the two we liked for a glass from that. Our server was super nice and knew the beers. The spinach pizza was good as well. We will be going back.
(5)
Sparrow T.

North County got game too! With so many brew & ale houses dotting San Diego's topography, North County is beginning to hold their own. It's no wonder San Diego has fast become one of the brew capitals in the country, and it's catching on extending into greater San Diego county. After a 2 hour boxing workout at Encinitas Boxing, I agreed to meet some friends at Encinitas Ale House. So I guess Encinitas doesn't have much imagination in naming their local establishments or maybe they got a lot of pride in their town. But don't be fooled by the hole-in-the-wall atmosphere here, the imported & micro brew selection is extensive! A good North County rival to San Diego's North Park pride, Toronado. Encinitas Ale House boasts to having some unique, hard to find micro brews...I mean Vietnamese micro brew- what??? The down side is they rotate their brews frequently so what you had a few weeks prior may not be available the next day you come in. But there's usually a good substitute that the brew-knowledgeable servers can recommend that is equal or better than what you had before. Can't make up your mind? Do a tasting flight, it's almost too civilized! But enough said about the beer, after a 2 hour workout and buzzing off a nice full-bodied Belgium on an empty stomach you can't help but notice these piled high plates of food whizzing by you. Bar food is bar food, but this is above-the-bar food! The menu is enough to hold it's own even without the front of an ale house, but that's the great secret! People don't expect to get great food at a place that looks like this from the outside. It's Brilliant! Among us we ordered the Ale House Pizza, the fish & chips, the Kobe burger and blue pear salads. Generous portions, great flavors, everything came out as promised on the menu. Would you believe they actually split the salads, like any fine restaurant - outstanding! This is a locals joint, first come first served, place is small, so it gets crowded even on a weekday night. Try off hours or after 7:30pm. Worth it if you're in the area.
(3)
Damien S.

The four stars is for the beer selection and I would give this place five had the food been better. I had the bison burger which was the daily special so I'm hoping for better results next time. The burger was overcooked, super hot and just bland overall. There was enough arugula on it to make a side salad. As for the beer this place has the best selection of Belgians and Belgian-style ales in North County. And they do a great job of rotating taps so you'll always find something new to try. Enjoy.
(4)
Charles M.

I visited for lunch on Wednesday, December 29th, 2010. They were a little behind in opening today - I arrived at 11:15 and they were still pulling chairs off tables and getting ready. No biggie. Within 5 minutes, everything was squared away and I had ordered beer. A note here: I am a beer geek so I am very happy to report they have an awesome, varied and extensive tap selection with no pilseners, no macro brews and a healthy balance of non-IPA brews. Yeah! My partner and I both ordered burgers: she had the mysteriously named 33.0384Â°N, 117.293Â°W cheeseburger (Google Map the coordinates) and I had the Harmonica Bill burger. Both were excellent if a bit much; I managed to down all mine, but she had only half and took the rest to go. Service was swift and attentive which is not surprising, considering we were the first in the door and were down before the lunch rush started in earnest. Another plus - the bill was line-itemized and the recommended gratuities listed on the bottom were based on the pre-tax amount (as they should be). Best bill I have seen at any restaurant anywhere! Overall, the best bet for beer in Encinitas and a welcome variation on the gastropub/Father's Office/microbrew meme that has swept south from Los Angeles. Oh, and the music? Well, if you like Cake and Death Cab for Cutie, you ought to like it.
(4)
Lindsey B.

Chose this place on a whim, while walking down the 101. Good reviews brought us in and the menu was decent. Got the steak salad. Awful. Mixed greens, sliced tomatoes and a slab of thin "tri tip" meat with a balsamic-y dressing. So boring. Nothing to it. And for $12.50. My friend got the buffalo chicken salad and it was swimming in buffalo sauce. Mimosa's were good though. Perhaps we should have tried a burger or sandwich. Staff was friendly, however.. I'm sure most of these reviews are for the beer and bar scene. No doubt its probably a good place for that.. but not for salads!
(2)
Ed S.

If you enjoy a great selection of beer, great burgers (think kobe, venison, lamb, duck, and wild boar), and a fun and warm staff... this is the place for you. It is smaller, and not a meat market, so go for the food, the beer, and conversation with your party. This place is a staple in my week!
(5)
D I.

Lots of beer choices- Check. Pretty good food- Yes. Awesome staff/servers. Definitely. Prices- Pretty reasonable, but not inexpensive This is a great place to hang with your friends, especially during happy hour. I put five stars because it's pretty unique, so therefore as good as it gets.
(5)
Diana M.

This place is great! I love the amazing varieties of beer. I've been here a bunch of times and each time I just tell my waiter.. "I like beers like [insert favorite beer here]" and they have brought me a fabulous brew. I also love how every beer comes in a unique glass. Gives the table a little more excitement and flare. The last time I went I decided to do the flight of beers. Five mini beers to taste and try. I can't say it was the best value, but it was nice to try some of the fall in season items I wouldn't normally try (pumpkin beer, cider). I can't comment too much on the food. Every time I've gone they have been running the same special. A lamb burger. I believe they've switched up the cheese , but every time the meat has been perfectly cooked and juicy. The only thing I wish is that this place was a little bigger. I have walked by many times planning to eat/drink but I would have to wait for a table, therefore going to another place.
(4)
ashley c.

The first time we went there we were blown away by the beer selection, and the AMAZING FOOD. HOWEVER---the second time we went there we were blown away by the HORRIBLE SERVICE & Crappy operating hours. We went on Valentines day (Sun Feb 14th) and sat down at 6:30, asking to order and they told us the kitchen already closed. We asked what time they closed on sundays and they said "Sometime between 7 and 8". You would think that on Valentines day the would be open later, and that they would have a consistent time to close, so customers could plan. ALSO--isn't 6:30 prime dinner time? GOOD Food, GOOD Happy Hour--- HORRRRRRIBLE SERVICE If the service was better we would be there at least 2 times a week!
(2)
Sb M.

A nice place to grab a craft beer. Large selection of beers on tap. Food is mediocre though/pricey.
(3)
Chris G.

Ever since they turned into the Ale House from Luxus 101 wine bar, they have been blowing up. You do have to get there early for a seat at the bar, but only because this place is so popular for good beers and burgers. The menu changes once in a while which is nice, but even better is how often the beer menu changes and is updated online. This has top notch Belgian ales for those with a palate and don't mind paying for it, some can be expensive but worth it once in a while. Food is consistently good and atmosphere is fun and casual.
(4)
Dan G.

This little gem is hidden right on 101, but doesn't have any sign on the outside (at least right now). The service wasn't great even though we were one of two groups in the whole place at lunch, but there was only server working the place. They had a great range of beer selection for some place so small, and had one of those huge black boards full of all the limited selections. I got the Santana Burger which had Fire-Roasted Poblano Peppers, Avocado, Grilled Onions, Pepper-Jack, and Ancho Mayo. It was really flavorful and had a great level of spice (usually these burgers are either not hot at all or just have jalapenos piled on top so you can't taste anything else). The burger was really good and the beer selection was great for a small place, but it was pricey and the service wasn't great. Next time if we get better service I think it'll be up to a 4.
(3)
Helaana C.

Finally!!! A new restaurant in Encinitas that isn't Italian, Sushi, or Mexican SOOO happy~ Luxus made the right decision changing their concept. As soon as I heard about an alehouse in Encinitas I couldn't wait to check it out. Friday night at 6:30pm the place was packed but luckily we found a spot at the bar. Half off apps until 7pm SCORE we ordered the Steak bruschetta and it was delicious. Next I had the Santana Burger and it came out better than expected. Large juicy patty with lots of flavor and it was huge. Sweet potato friends were on point. The husband had the Kobe sliders and he said they were equally delicious as were the regular fries that came with his dish. I hear a rumor that there Two for One burgers on Tuesday I will be there. The beers were amazing, the bartender helpful and knowledgeable. Great recommendations and excellent service. Two things about the place made me not give 5 starts to the new Encinitas Ale House...One no prices on the beer menu--Dislike. Don't get me wrong I am not cheap I just want to know if the craft beer I am ordering isn't $20 dollars a pint like some of them can be..I like to know what I am getting myself into and I don't want to have to ask. Two they only serve their sandwiches at lunch time but they are listed on the dinner menu SUCH A TEASE! I was warned by a fellow patron to stay away from the Ahi. But everything we had was tasty and I didn't feel the prices were too over the top except for the additional 2 dollars it was to upgrade to sweet potato fries? Really 2 dollars more? I will be back and I cant wait to bring my friends as I am grateful for the new variety in my neighborhood!
(4)
Derrick D.

Finally! I premium beer bar in coastal north county. I've been visiting since the conversion to being the Encinitas Ale House and have seen many improvements. The food has stepped up a notch, they have added a few more west coast beer taps, added a few more IPA and stout taps, added taster size glasses and I continually see large crowds on weekends. Now for constructive criticism... - I'd like to see them get in the swing with some of the west coast micro breweries. Meaning... I'd like to see them get some rare stuff. Oh, had a Port Brewing Mongo DIPA. Mongo is one delicious brew from one of my favorite breweries. The absence of Stone is a little troubling... but I get enough of them from many of the other local establishments. One last thing... they definitely have a strong affinity toward Belgian Ales. This makes them truly unique for the area and as a Belgian beer lover... one of the best beer bars in San Diego.
(5)
Atul M.

The Encinitas Ale House knocks what it does out of the park. As mentioned in every other review, the food and beer are top notch and the service is always up to speed. Talk about the freshest, most juicy burger your taste buds will ever come across. Come early and grab a seat because The Ale House fills up fast. Writing about this place just makes me want to go....right now!
(5)
chrys p.

Although kind of heavy on the Belgians, the beer selection is good... however there was some confusion as to what was on the current beer list and what was "next on tap". Why distribute a menu with items that are not yet available? The food, on the other hand, was incongruous in that it was too frou-frou for a brew house... needs more traditional pub grub. (Don't get me wrong, I like some degree of frou-frou, but it doesn't go too well with beer.) I got a "grilled cheese" sandwich that had more than half an inch of greens in it and wasn't actually grilled. There are lots of salads, pizzas and burgers, but aside from overly-seasoned skinny french fries and onion rings, there were none of the deeply satisfying greasy (usually battered :) finger foods that go so well with beer. I'm not saying the food was bad, but I'd be a lot more inclined to return if the menu had a more varied selection of munchies... and was maybe a little less burger-centric. The service was acceptable, but it was pretty uncrowded being lunchtime on a weekday. I really want to like this place- I hope they make some changes. I am only too happy to make suggestions.
(3)
Andrew P.

Encinitas Ale House is one of the first, in hopefully a long tradition of Gastropubs in North County Coastal San Diego. Sure sure, we all know the hipsters down in N. Park are spoiled with more than a handful of these craft-beer stocked foodie heaven shoebox pubs...but N. County is still an open frontier, void of these lovable concepts. My Cliff's Notes: -Great Beer Selection (emphasis on Belgium selection) -Excellent Food -Small Dining Are /Limited seating (pushing the boundaries of quaint) -Notable Foods: Larger Variety of Burgers (A+), Homemade Pizzas and Appetizers -Notable Beers: Pliny the Elder (bottle), La Chouffe, Delrium Tremens/Nocturnem -Happy Hours: Mon-Friday: $2 OFF PREMIUM DRAFTS $5 GLASS OF WINE $8 OFF BOTTLE OF WINE 1/2 PRICE ALL STARTER APPETIZERS ALSO TUESDAYS ARE BUY 1 GET 1 BURGER FREE DAYS! -Hip Factors: 80 beers in 80 days club...you can get yourself a T-shirt and a chance to win a trip with the regulars and owner of the bar (Thomoso) to Breckenridge to Ski and tour 5 Breweries. Deeper Cuts: Highlights: 1) The Beer: A fantastic selection of both regional craft-beers as well as more harder to find Belgium varietals. Note to the beer lover: although they regularly rotate their brews in and out be prepared to find the availability of Belgium oriented beers significantly more bountiful than local craft-beers. CAUTION WHILE ORDERING: there are large differences in the prices between the beers that are on TAP and those which are sold by the BOTTLE. Bottles are SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive. 2) The Food deserves a solid 3.5-4 Stars. It's a pub oriented menu with a solid gourmet twist. Homemade Pizzas, Custom Appetizers and Burgers that never fail to please. They are most well known for their burgers. They offer a wide variety of meats including but not limited to: Bison, Kobe Beef, Ostrich, Alligator (Yeah...that's right Alligator) and other more common beef/chicken burgers. Lowlights: The place is small. It can get over-crowded quickly, stuffy and crowds have a tendancy to overwhelm the staff. For some it will equate to "Qauint" for other's it may get it old fast....be advised. Personally, it doesn't make or break the experience.
(4)
Jeff S.

Very great beer selection in a cozy environment. The wait staff is friendly. This will give Churchhills a run for their money.
(5)
Cindi W.

My husband and I came in. Sat down. The waiter cleaned the table. We waited and waited and.......WHAT IS UP WITH SERVICE IN ENCINITAS! Wake up people. FInally, the waitress came happy and friendly. We ordered beer. Hubby ordered an Alleghash Stout. I had a Pyramid Hefewizen. Alleghash brewing is in Maine. We haven't been there, we go to Maine alot. We will hit that brewpub when we go there. SO, the beer, served in a wine glass that had the logo of the brew co on it. Nice. Good beer. Then, we order food. I had soup and salad and hubby had a nice sized burger. OK, how long does it take to get a soup and salad??? The waiter (yes, a change of hand....)told me the soup I wanted was out. So now, it is a navy bean soup instead of a spinach egg soup. Ok whatever, just bring it out. Later that DAY.........oh there is my piping hot soup and fresh crispy salad and hubby's burger. Guess what, it was served by the waitress (another gender change) and the soup was the original soup I ordered. HMMM. good, cause It was good. Finally we are done and the bill was expensive. BUT, I liked it and if I was 25, I would work there. It isn't a nasty pick up joint and I would feel good if any young lady worked there. A good experience for them. NOW if they could just get the service angle better, they would get 4 stars! (like all of Encinitas for golly sakes!)
(3)
Philip P.

Good bar atmosphere and location just off of PCH. My group each ordered a different hamburger. I ordered the "Hamonica Bill" BBQ burger. When it came the onion rings were tasty. The shoestring onions over the top of the burger were cold and stale. So much so, that I could barely cut through the layer of them! They were like rubber bands. Not something you want on your burger. The wait staff was apologetic and I placed an order for another completely different burger, since I was told that they make the shoestring onions in the morning! They are not fresh. So, I ordered a Patty Melt...better. Our waitress was great. The bartender seemed like he was on some kind of mind numbing agent!
(3)
Mj V.

Great beer selection. Had a Bison Burger here and it was really really good. It's a small place, so it's kinda hard to get a table. There's an outdoor seating but you can't drink any alcoholic beverage outside.
(4)
Meagan W.

Great beer and burgers! I also love the bruschetta. They usually have a special burger of the day, its usually a good way to go. Great sweet potato fries and regular fries. Brooke is my bartender/server!
(4)
Matty P.

This place is amazing. Whether it be the literal book of beers you can choose from or their ridiculously good food you will not be disappointed. It's not trendy. It's organizes chaos reminiscent of European pubs and ale houses so be flexible, be friendly, be adventurous in your beer selection and you won't be disappointed. Their burgers are just flat out awesome, especially when paired with a wonderful rye ale... If u consider yourself a beer snob or connoisseur then this is heaven.
(5)
Eric L.

I swear to everyone that I wont abbreviate ANYTHING in this review... I promise. Encinitas Ale House was one of the first beer/wine-oriented establishments that I encountered. My other reviews will show that I'm a rather enthusiastic fan of craft beer and good food; so I see it fit to lay one down on Encinitas Ale House! See how easy that was to type out? Even though this was one of my first endeavors and I have most definitely returned; this place does not secure a special place in my book. Here is why. I think the food is better quality than most pubs, like extremely better; I have never had a bad dish from here. Fish tacos are outstanding, wagyu sliders are supreme, fish and chips are also excellent and the tri-tip bruchetta is ridiculous! However, despite the cuisine being right on point; the tap list is a freaking JOKE. Seriously, whoever is making the tap list (most likely the owner) you are trying way too hard to be avant garde; its just working against you. Housing a ridiculous amount of Belgian style beers on tap is cool; if you live in BELGIUM. We are in San Diego; I'm not saying to only tap IPA's and strong ales, but you should definitely have a balanced ratio of the styles because you are established in a city in which the beer drinkers know their stuff and truly enjoy a variety of styles; not just one. This seriously irks me enough to drop stars, its almost as if the proprietor of this place only wants Belgian fans to patronize the business and it seems like the lack of seating is another way of saying, "don't come here". I really do enjoy this place being that its one of very few alike businesses in the area; but the tap list really needs to be revamped and just buy out a space next to you or something; I've seen 5th grade classrooms bigger than this place. Cheers, e.long
(3)
Kerin S.

Great service and great food. Our server was a cute skinny blond who went out of her way to make sure we were happy. My friend and I shared a salad and a pizza and had two beers a piece. They have some amazing beers on tap as well. It looks like they rotate quite often. It's small and I think we lucked out getting a table. We moved to the bar to finish our beers seeing how it was crowded. We skipped union to come here and I'm very glad we did :)
(5)
Joshua C.

This place is the sh@$! Awesome food, killer selection of beer, and sports on the tv. The only drawback is the place is too small but I can't faulth them for that. They do more than enough with the space they have. I almost didn't want to write a review because it seems like everytime we go now there is nowhere to sit and the last thing we need is for it to be more crowded. They have incredible burgers, and a constantly changing menu of Belgium Ales, IPA's, and every other kind of beer a specialty beer lover could want. Servers and bartenders all do a great job. If I could reserve a permanent table here I would because it seems like we end up going there twice a week now. Definitely at the top of my food chain for places to have a beer and a bite in San Diego. We needed a place like this and finally got it. Thank you Alehouse! See you in a couple of days!
(5)
Seth G.

If you are a bar person and like beer, read the other reviews. I went in for dinner because there was a football game going on and I felt like trying a place I haven't been to before... was by myself so was in the mood to sit at a bar. The service was mostly but not 100% friendly. I had onion rings that are still making me dizzy from their greasiness (I love good onion rings) and had a tap-water-flavored root beer. Didn't order dinner. Oh well, my fault for going to a bar, not wanting to drink and drive, and expecting a good experience.
(2)
ron b.

Good Lord! That was the absolute best burger I have EVER had, and the best beer I have EVER had! Seriously...beer and burgers are ruined for me - I cannot imagine better...unless of course I move down to the San Diego area and head back to the Encinitas Alehouse. My only complaint is that the place is pretty small and we had to wait at least 30 minutes for a table and the bartender seems to have botched my beer order. Turns out that it was serendipitous since the beer he served me was the best beer ever. The beer I was served is: DOGFISH HEAD/VICTORY/STONE COLLABORATION "SAISON du BUFF" BELGIAN STYLE FARMHOUSE ALE Now I just have to find it in the Bay Area!
(5)
Amy K.

My husband & I took a chance on this one and we soon became regulars. We love the "vibe" and the bartenders/waitresses. They are laid-back without being "too cool" (especially Glenn, Paul and Brooke) and are helpful with beer suggestions and don't rush you. It is completely easy to enjoy hours on end sitting at the bar stool. I was worried that their food wouldn't match up to the beer, but we love their burgers, crab cakes and salads. Tuesdays tend to be crowded because of their 2-for-1 burger specials. Bar seats are first come, first serve and there is a waiting list (on a clipboard by the door) for the few tables. They have tables outside but can't serve alcohol out there. They seem dog friendly but we haven't worked up the courage to bring our high-energy pup yet.
(4)
Katherine S.

Really great burgers and brew. Fun neighborhood pub & it's walking distance. They make their own buns...I know cuz I was walking my dog and was in the back looking for a water spigot...couple of tugs, I turn around and there was half a bun...in his mouth...OH NO! 5 stars from my pup!
(4)
Kelly S.

They actually have great salads! I love the local feel. Great for a beer in the summertime after a long coastal walk.
(4)
Marc M.

Want to like this place but they are way understaffed and it is impossible to get a seat or table. Plus, it is not the cheapest place. Factor in a server who obviously just wants you to go away and you will be tempted to walk away after about 20 minutes of being ignored. We managed to eat here once and it was pretty good, but they would not let us have happy hour prices if we were seated at a table, so we were lucky to scrounge two dirty spots at the bar. The next time we dropped by we were informed that all of their tables in the back were reserved for a private party. The next three times we stopped by it was packed and we could not get a seat. So, we are looking forward to that new brew place opening one block away, Brew 101 or something like that.
(1)
Roger W.

damn, i am a big fan of the music selection here. bartenders seem to know there stuff. good selection of taps. a drink for everyone, drunkards, and greenhorns alike.
(5)
Savanah D.

The first time I visited, my friend and I got some quick beers. We were the only people in there, so the service was fast. The second time I visited, the experience wasn't as great. Our blonde waitress seemed as if she forgot she was a waitress. There were four of us and it was packed. We ordered water and we had to ask 3 times before everyone had their own water. Then I saw her laughing with a coworker in the kitchen and catching up on gossip. After they caught up, when we were telling our waitress our food orders, she had to leave in the middle to grab something from behind the bar. Wouldn't you think she already has a pen before she asks to take our order? It was awkward. Although the beer is good and the options are great, seriously avoid this place. There are better places. Not only was the bill about $80 for only 1 drink, 1 flight (which had 4 small tasters for $2.50 each... total of $10), 2 starters, and 2 entrees, but the service was horrible. The waitress never came by to ask how the meal was. Let me put it this way: if you want a good tip, be a good waitress and act like (if not actually) you give a rat's ass about your guests. I'm not okay with paying $80 for a couple of mediocre entrees. So, If you can get past the horrible people that work there (that seem like they would rather not work there), get some beer. I'd rather buy a good six pack of a microbrew beer at BevMo and get take in!
(1)
Frank M.

Very good food and good beer variety!
(4)
Todd P.

Encinitas Alehouse has a good mellow vibe. The beer list and atmosphere is nice, but the one of their downsides is the lack of information about the beer. I would say that the most disappointing part is that they don't let you taste a beer you are interested in. If you are going to drop between $6 and $7 on a beer you don't know about, a small 1 oz taste isn't going to break them, and it also makes a customer that more likely to be happy about their choice and come back.
(3)
Jerry M.

I've been to this Ale House twice. If you want some geat Belgian beer and good food you cant miss going here. The staff is friendly and fast concidering it was always crowded. Great atmosphere!
(5)
Hansen H.

It was a small restaurant called "Luxus" for the passed year but the owners realized there was more demand for their good beer selection than for a romantic dinner so they changed the place to "Encinitas Ale House". I loved Luxus but now that I have seen the new place, I love it more now. Plenty of amazing beer on draft and some great bottle selection as well. The food (specifically Kobe Beef burgers) is still to die for and compliments a good belgium on draft very nicely. I would go with the Santana burger and a hoppy beer to start then finish strong trying out some of their darker/sweeter belgiums. I can't wait to go back to this place. My one concern is that if it is crowded, you are better off hitting Beachside or D Street for an appetizer then returning later when there are some seats at the bar available.
(5)
Clark S.

Best beer selection in California. Best burger in the world. Small and no parking. Waitresses are very helpful. The morons behind the bar are horrible!! Dont ask for a sample from the guys behind the bar, you will get a lecture on how they charge for samples and really tasting a beer requires the entire glass, blah blah blah...... Ditch the attitude behind the bar and you get another star!
(4)
Jennifer B.

Very small venue but beer selections are very good and the food is fantastic. The burgers are huge and delicious. Worth the drive for me...mmmm....beer and yummy food, what at perfect combo!
(3)
Matthew H.

Strange place. I dig it, but I'm not sure what demographic they are aiming for. Is this place is a creepy dive bar, a hipster hangout, or a foodie hole in the wall? Maybe that's what makes it my kinda place. I didn't eat anything but the food looks outstanding. Don't pass up the killer beer selection either.
(4)
Erin W.

Great sandwiches, great beer selections!
(5)
Kelly K.

Great food and a fantastic selection of Belgian beers. Yes, it can be too crowded to get in. They don't make a lot of space for standers. Think of it like a prize parking spot. Hover for a bit and if you can't get a table move on to another bar (sadly). I like the service. Not super friendly but laid back and knowledgeable about the beer selection.
(4)
Joe F.

I don't know. I popped in there for a beer and a burger and feel like I got a lot more than I'd expected. The staff seemed nice and friendly, food was good, served hot and arrived quickly and the beer selection will likely lead to more visits for me. I had the Santana Burger. Very tasty indeed. I'll be back.
(5)
Kristen P.

This is my new favorite place, I always love going here. All of the food that I have had on their menu is great. You definitely have to try the sausage with peppers, it is one of the best dishes I've ever had and of course goes great with beer! All of their burgers are really good and juicy, my husband and I typically will split a burger because they are so big. The best part is the great selection of beers on tap, can't find this anywhere else. The place is a bit small, so it does tend to get crowded easily, but we just try to get there early so we can get a seat.
(5)
Katrina D.

Love this burger spot. It has a ton of great beers to drink and sample, but the grass fed beef burgers get the kids in my life to beg me to take them here. I love them too - they are extra large and very fresh with perfect toppings. Great place to meet up with friends, first dates, or to watch a game or two.
(5)
Brian B.

Hands down my favorite bar in Encinitas. They have the best beer selection, knowledge and prices. The atmosphere is laid back, like a good beer dive should be. Now lets talk about the food! For a beer bar they have the best burgers I believe I've ever had. I ate a wild boar burger that was insane! I have not even tried any other menu items but my girl friend is gluten free and they catered to her nicely. Thanks ale house!
(4)
Adam Vincent G.

We had a great time there. Reasonable prices and what can I say, you are family here. O I forgot the beer. Did I mention the beer? Its all good. just show up and have cash and or credit card. Sign me up for another night. I am in. I think I will double down to go again. Adam Gilmer, Adam Vincent, Adam Vincent Gilmer, The Gilmer Files.
(4)
Minda S.

Just had my first bite to eat here. I have been told really great things about Encinitas Ale House....especially the food!!! We tried the Garlic Burger and the Wedge Salad along with the Sweet Potato Fries. Loved all of it. I highly recommend this place and I will for sure tell all my friends.
(5)
Kitty M.

Great pub!!! They have awesome beers and host great events.... a must for San Diego Beer Week, or any other time!!!
(4)
Natalie D.

Was looking forward to great date night to check out the Ale House on a Wednesday night. We asked if there was a wait for the tables and the bartender said no. We sat down when a table became available and a waitress (that was nowhere to be seen previously) flew over and said, "GET OUT! I DIDN'T SEAT YOU!" We asked if there was a list and she rolled her eyes and said, "of course there is, so get out NOW"! I was furious at how rudely she treated us even after we explained the bartender had said there wasn't a wait. I called the manager the next day and he said, "oh, I know who you are talking about. I get a lot of complaints about her." WHAT? And she still has a job? He then went on to say that SHE was mistaken. The list for tables starting on Thursdays thru weekend. Bummer because the beer selection was great, the bartender was very friendly and we love beer. But there are loads of options in our neighborhood and we'll gladly spend our money where the folks are ALWAYS NICE...Beachside Grill.
(1)
Lisa B.

Burgers are really good! Crab cakes i should have skipped. Deep fried and spicy sauce. Tried the beer tasting with 4 beer choices. Bartender helped pick out ones to try. The vibe was good. Packed place. Got there at 530 on a fri still happyhour and barely got a seat at the bar. Seemed like the place for al the beautiful 30 somethings to hang out. Girls, guys, couples. Will go back sometime for another burger and beer
(4)
Larry H.

A new favorite. Skip the horrible Union down the street and come here. Great brew selection, and wonderful service. Sure it may be small, but the service and food make up for it. This is what a neighborhood bar should be!
(5)
Paula E.

We were walking looking for a good burger and found this awesome spot full of awesome beer! The food was good and the staff was, shall I say awesome. The gal at the bar asked what we liked in our beer and brought me a sample platter! After trying about 6 beers (sample size) I found my favorites. Can't wait to be in Encinitas again just to visit this place. Everyone was nice and friendly just like everyone (except the not nice people a Viggalucci's) in Encinitas. AWESOME!! I am now having my local Whole Foods order some of the beers for me.
(4)
Annie F.

Love the atmosphere, just please add a real veggie burger instead of the frozen Costco patty to the menu (The Counter has a great one) and I'll have more of a reason to come here.
(4)
Eric B.

By far my favorite place to enjoy a beer in Encinitas! They have a great selection of beers from all over the world, a chill environment, and good food too.
(5)
Jenny B.

Finally a place that has amazing beers and delicious food. Their burgers and the margarita pizza are fantastic. The beer is strong so you don't need to drink more than one or two to get a buzz. The wait staff has all been incredibly friendly. It seems like the owner really cares about what his beer selection is and the cooler is right next to the bar so the beers don't have to travel through 100 feet of line to land in your glass like most bars in coastal north county. Me likey!
(5)
Betsy F.

Came here on a recommend from a friend. I took my husband as an avid beer drinker and I do not think I can properly describe his face after looking at the beer list. We had incredible beer, good bar food and a great time! The only negative is how small it is, but everything else was wonderful! We will definitely be returning and enjoying more of the extensive list of beer they provide. If you love belgians, you should definitely hit up this place.
(4)
Rick J.

One of the best burgers every! This is my profile pic a venison burger. Bo yeah it was great.
(5)
Kimberly P.

not sure why I don't love this place more... it is small and generally crowded, so sometimes there is no room for me..... sometimes a minus good beer choices & typically have a sour on tap! total plus they have a menu that I am eager to explore.. another plus the beers are pricey, like bordering on ridiculous .. total minus I'm still on the fence I'll be back, probably during happy hour, if I can find a seat.
(3)
Rick S.

Come early or expect to stand. The food here is surprisingly good. Especially the fish tacos and burgers. They have some very unusual beers here. Almost everything here is a bit on the pricey side.
(4)
D D.

Unbelievable selection of craft beers! This place ROCKS! The only AleHouse in North County Coastal that knows it's brews. Over 25 taps handles and a weekly CASK coming soon! They have direct belgiums and local IPA's, lot's of them! Now you don't have to drive to 30th street to have your fix, just head up the coast and relax. The food is also handcrafted using the best ingredients and the staff is there to see that your thirst is quenched. I've died and gone to beer heaven! Thank you, and look forward to the rotation on a weekly basis. PS. Now I know why I don't go home!
(5)
Ryan D.

Service is slow......painfully each time....food is pretty tasty.....fan of the sweet potato fries and really nice beer selection ......place is really small and it can get packed very quickly
(3)
Jennifer P.

It was at first hard for me to step through the doors of what used to be my old favorite, Olyo's Pizza, and is now the Encinitas Alehouse. But I quickly got over my nostalgia once I checked out the scene. They really did a number on renovating this place, despite the narrowness of the room, you'd never guess it was once the same space. I was pretty excited to try out this new night spot in Encinitas; goodness knows they definitely need it (you know, in case The Saloon up the street isn't quite your style, ha). And the Alehouse definitely didn't disappoint! It was packed for a Saturday night (not surprising given how small it is on the inside) and we first decided to sit outside since it was warm enough and there were lots of free tables (all the indoor ones were full). A waitress came out to forewarn us that no alcohol could be served outdoors. A-ha! Mystery of the empty tables solved! We were there for the beer and she was really helpful in getting us the next available table (which was just a moment's wait), cleaning it off immediately, and explaining the beer menu for us. Our whole table ordered a different type of beer plus a large basket of Parmesan garlic fries (get these!! Yum!). They have a great selection of beer on tap (try the Kirschlitzer (sp?) German Black Ale...to die for...never before has a drink wanted to make me into an alcoholic) and our waitress was great at letting us know what they were almost out of and what they were just about to tap open. I know some of the reviews below mentioned awful service, but we had fantastic service and it was a packed night. So hopefully that was just a glitch while they were first open and it's cleaned up now. We didn't order any other food besides our addictive fries but I was eying all the goodies that traveled by on trays: giant burgers stacked high with yummy onion straws. Big salads that didn't quite look at home in an alehouse, but definitely made me take a mental note to try one in the future. And I'll certainly be returning in the near future! It's a great spot to meet up with friends and have a few good drinks. Just keep in mind it'll be packed and you might have to stand around near the bar.
(4)
Sebastian B.

Only reason I don't give this 5 stars is due to the lack of a solid German beer selection and the Belgian overkill. Prost!
(4)
Chris P.

This is exactly what downtown Encinitas needed. Really good beer selection - go ahead try something new, you might actually like it. They had my new favorite, Triple Karmliet on tap! Never seen that before. The bartender recommended the mac and cheese which was very good and homemade. Atmosphere is upscale bar, but not pretentious. I need to go back soon.
(4)
Scott H.

Loved the Belgium draft beer selection! Huge for this size venue. Atmosphere was good and one of the two bartenders was good at recommending brews. My disappointment lay in the other bartender (short one). I asked for a specific beer. He walked around for 5-10 minutes and came back and re-asked what I wanted. As I reordered, the other guy delivered the last pint to another customer who had ordered after me. I pointed at the pint and told the short guy I wanted that and he told me that was the last one. I asked what gives and instead of any sort of apology, he stated he had 5 other customers ahead of me. No, he didn't. When he finally entered my new order it was 2 minutes past happy hour and he actually charged me full price. It just takes one bad apple like that to ruin an otherwise good experience, so I am giving this place a generous 3 stars.
(3)
Nikki J.

I like this place. Has a cool cozy feel. I took one look at the beer list and my head started spinning-I didn't know where to start. The bartender took note of this, placed 4 glasses in front of me and poured a small sample into each so that he could help me figure out which beer to start with. Nice! I had the Kobe burger. Delicious! Even though it was $16(special grass fed cow something or other) it was well worth it. I'm not a big meat eater but this was delicious. Great spot to hang with friends. No slimy dudes trying to slobber all over you. YAY!
(4)
jameson w.

i was really stoked when this place opened a couple of months ago. i had been waiting for a "beer" bar in coastal north county. for the first couple of months they had a good balance of hoppy IPA's and belgian beers. I am a HUGE fan of IPA's so was pretty happy about the draft list. since then though IPA selection has dwindled from probably 8+ on draft to 2 or 3. kind of a bummer, but yesterday i was stoked to show up and find out they had Green Flash "Le freake" on draft... a great belgian IPA. i also talked to the bar tender and they have a keg of Green Flash Palate Wrecker on deck... can't wait until it's tapped. i still really like the place and will continue to go back. great beer selection and food is awesome too. killer burgers and sweet potato fries.
(4)
Marisol P.

I can't give 5 stars only because they were so crowded and seemed to be short of staff. They also had this weird 4 top where a 2 top should be (where we ended up sitting) and the table was totally in the way of traffic. Beer - awesome. Amazing selection and knowledgeable staff. Food - didn't look at the menu, just ordered off the specials board. Who wouldn't order a Pheasant Burger and an Ostrich Burger? Especially after starting at the specials after 3 beers. Both were pretty good. The Ostrich was better though - less gamey, but I guess that stands to reason. Very filling. This place is a nice break from the trendier spots that seem to be popping up, ahem...across the street.
(4)
Kate B.

I was very excited when I saw grilled cheese (with 3 kinds of cheeses) and sweet potato fries on the menu. However, it was 4:15pm and they don't serve sandwiches after 4pm. Strike #1. Strike #2: The food runner was at the bar hitting on two girls, when another customer asked for a new burger and fries because they were overcooked. Strike #3: Beware of the baja shrimp tacos with "jumbo" shrimp. You only get two pieces of regular sized shrimp per taco, which is covered with mayonaise. Is that baja style? I think not. You're out! There was an uncooked sausage buried in the side salad. But not to worry because we were told "it was cooked, then frozen prior to falling in the salad." Luckily, the beer selection is great and they comped the meal with the frozen sausage. I'll still give it another shot, but just won't order the salad or tacos!
(2)
Amanda C.

Excellent beer selection. If you are going to drink, enjoy, but if you are going to eat....eat next door.
(3)
Tim J.

Fabulous beer selection, although I would enjoy a few more British beers...otherwise A1. Have eaten here several times since the New Year, when we dropped in with the 4 kids, they sat outside and ate themselves unconcious on the killer burgers and chicken tenders, while the wife and I sidled up to the bar, ordered up a couple of scottish ales and the lamb-burger special and a salad. Expecting a rather bog standard salad, we were happily surprised how tasty it was, fresh arugula and a great dressing. Now to the lamb-burger, this was superb, and cooked perfectly for me, which is medium. Juicy and flavorful, if lamb is your thing, this is a definite treat. I spied a "Duck-burger" on the menu another time I dropped in just for a beer after work. I didn't get it as I had dinner plans that night, but vowed to try it next time I'm there and it is on offer. I asked the waitress about it, and as described, sounds delicious. It is essentially duck confit shredded! So again of you like confit, as I do, this I imagine will delight. As a pub/ale house goes, this for me is a tremendous find, and as I live in Solana Beach, a hop skip and a jump up the 101. Check it out, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I also like the low key aspect, not trying to be anything it isn't. Can be crowded as it is very small inside, but worth it.
(4)
John S.

This is a great pub with a huge selection of beer including micro brews. I stopped by after surfing Swamis and had a great microbrew and the Chorizo pizza. The Irish bartender is a nice guy and the service was excellent. The menu has a lot of other good comfort food and will definitely be a regular stop when I am in the area
(5)
Justin S.

the place is small, so seating is limited...that doesn't take away from the overall experience though. went in the afternoon on a sunday during the chargers game. half the crowd was watching the game, half was not. things where tame, not overly loud. had a beer flight with a double chocolate stout, a cream stout and a chipotle smoked porter. enjoyed all the tastes. had the surf and turf burger for lunch, it comes with shoestring fries. i am usually not one for superlatives, but i can honestly say that this was one of the better burgers that i have had...ever. do yourself a favor and check this place out.
(4)
Taylor T.

Laid back, friendly vibe here. My boyfriend and I liked it so much that we came back twice during our week long vacay in SD. The beer selection is fantastic, and I love that it changes almost daily. If you're like me and can never committ to one choice, they offer small tasting pours for $2.50, which was a great way to try multiple beers. They do four-sample flights of draft beers for ten bucks. Although I didn't eat a full meal here, the burger selection was eclectic and far from ordinary. On one of the days, they had a specialty venison burger topped with roasted tomatoes, cheddar, and a fried egg. Yes, please! The calamari app was definitely enough for two people to share and the zesty tomato dipping sauce was addictive. If I lived in the area, I could definitely see myself hanging out here on a regular basis. Staff was super friendly and there seemed to be a good mix of tourists and locals alike.
(4)
Ivan K.

As far as Bar Food goes, this is top notch. If you like the food at Stone Brewery, (which I do), then well... this is better. I highly recommend the Kobe Wagyu sliders. The weekly rotating Beer menu is great too. Keeps me coming back because it's always a new adventure for a beer connoisseur.
(5)
Dustin L.

Russian River, Alesmith and a host of other quality Belgian and American beers on tap make the Encinitas Ale House a great place to enjoy a nice strong beer. The burgers are good too.
(4)
Jake B.

Life is tough when one can walk to a bar with beer so fresh, it is not even on the menu printed that morning. The Ale House is small and cozy, but they have yet to do me wrong with their IPA's and Pale's. The food is a level above your standard bar food and the 5oz tasters are a fun way to explore new beers with friends. Highly recommend checking this place out for lunch or one of their great happy hour specials!
(4)
Alissa K.

Oh how I love this place. I'd be a regular if I could afford it. Amazing beers, knowledgeable staff, and mindblowingly good food for a place that calls itself an "ale house". I only wish there were more seating. The atmosphere is comfortable, updated, and clean (which is more than you can say for many places in Encinitas). I have yet to be let down.
(5)
Gene A.

Love the rich pesto pizza with a soft crunchy flavorful crust! The beer selection is extensive and the interior of the restaurant has a lot of character. Like this addition to downtown Encinitas!
(4)
Pablo E.

Went there with the wife, glad we went. Very cool little place w/ an amazing selection of beers. I had the fish tacos w/ mango salsa-SO GOOD!!! My wife had a bacon burger and the bacon was crazy thick and delicious. Will most def be back soon.
(4)
Nooria S.

Went up to Encinitas to see a friend who was visiting. First of all this place is tiny, and restrooms are outiside and down a hallway so it's a little inconvenient. The crowd was pretty diverse from decent to shady folks (heard some guys who were leaving talking about doing drugs around the corner, yikes!!). Friends got pesto pizza, the surf and turf burger and shrimp tacos which all looked really tasty. We tried different beers and a sparkling wine. The sparkling wine gave me a headache, so I decided to order 2 tastes of beers. Tastes are about 5 ounces and are $2.50 each. They also have flights where you get 4 for $10. The tastes were perfect because you could try different things without getting drunk or too full. My friend and I didn't eat there, just nibbled sweet potato fries so we decided to order food to go. His wings looked good but my chicken tenders were so burned they were almost inedible. Surprising all things considered!
(3)
Liam M.

I am sorta upset that I am just now learning of this place. I have lived in North County for over 4 years, granted I live inland, but I come to Encinitas all the time, yet this place remained under my radar. Well, I am super excited to say that I have my new North County burger joint, and its this place. Came here with 4 of my buddies after an afternoon of wiffleball, this place is just past the main stretch of the 101 if heading south on the right-hand side. We grabbed a table and ordered up some wings, onion rings & sweet potato fries as apps. The wings were dynamite, and I kid you not, the onion rings may have been the best I ever had. The beer selection will take you some time to get through, its pretty extensive, but be warned, the glass/portion size is dependent on the alcohol content, so a few guys got like 9oz beers. I ordered the whatever they call it burger, its their coordinates (lat. & long.), it was really, really good. Super juicy so eat it quick or else the bun will get soggy like it did for 2 of my friends. The fries were terrific as well, great compliment to the burger & beer selection. I really cannot put into words how happy I am that this place exists, I cannot wait to go back.....minus 1 star for the prices, they are a bit on the high side, but it is absolutely worth it in my mind.
(4)
John L.

Great Beer and great burgers! On the favorites list.
(5)
Tyler L.

Fantastic burgers and a great craft beer selection (think Pliney the Younger and Mikkeller). Service is spotty and be prepared to wait a long time to be seated.
(4)
Kyle K.

The food here was really good! And I totally didnt expect it, cuz it definitely seemed like a little hole in the wall. But none the less, the food is great, awesome burgers, and they have a great selection of beers. Bartender was pretty douchey, but hey, its kinda to be expected. Overall this place gets two thumbs up as being a great new place to get a quality burger!! Did I say Kobe burgers!! better believe it :)
(4)
Drake K.

Best place to grab a beer! Encinitas version of Cheers!!!
(5)
elizabeth h.

Unlike others who have posted, I strolled in late one lazy, hazy afternoon to receive swift, friendly service from a knowledgeable (dare I say savvy?) server. Pleasantly surprised by selection of beer, ale and the like. Not as pleasant, was the absence of pricing for said beverages (especially as tastings are eschewed as previously noted). Food was decent, nothing that would cause me to return. However, I was surprised at how bustling the establishment was despite a lack of sidewalk foot traffic. It imparted a very warm, cheery vibe that is right in line with the way Encinitas has always been for me. If only that could continue.
(3)
Andrew F.

Best selection of on-tap beers in north county. The food is a bit heavy and on the greasy side, which doesn't bother me but may bother some. Good burgers (the rest of the menu is so-so). Good happy hour. We had pretty good service on our one visit. I like beer, so I'll be back.
(4)
Lindsay M.

Beer and food are delicious! Interesting setup but sit at the bar and enjoy good beer and tasty delights!
(4)
Tiffany F.

My colleagues and I stumbled upon this restaurant last week and were blown away! The burgers were fantastic and the beer selection was equally good. It's a quaint, amiable environment and the service was good. My only regret is that we didn't find this restaurant sooner.
(5)
Kevin K.

Went here tonight (Thursday) with a few friends. There were several bartenders but it took a long time before someone came over to help us. I do have to say they had quite an impressive selection of beer. I ended up getting a Lucifer Belgium Golden Ale (loved the name). The bartender rang in up and came back with my "bill" of $8.38. First, 8 bucks for a beer is pretty outrageous, but what really pissed me off was the $.38 of tax they charged. Of all the beers I've ordered in my life, I can't remember ever paying tax in a bar. The beer was decent but not worth it. Won't be coming back to this place again. :(
(2)
Eric P.

Well developed list of craft beers. Menu is extensive, we tested an appetizer, salad and burger, all scored well. I think the Ale House will offer you something different with each successive visit. Semi-kid-friendly. The staff was open to my 3yo, but I felt some patrons were there to escape the groms. Fair enough. Great place for date night or outing w friends.
(4)
Dieter M.

Thank God for the amazing Belgian beer! We had 6 people out on a Friday for a little beer and food.. We ordered kobe burgers after everyone was raving on how good they were, To our surprise, they were burnt,over cooked and crispy.. We ordered then medium rare.... sent them back for new ones and got the exact same thing..... note to cook today.... turn down the flame.. the grill is too hot... like I said .... thank God for the amazing Belgian beer,,,,, btw.. it was my first time there
(2)
Debbie R.

Stopped in today while at the annual street fair. Really enjoyed the food and the beer. Seriously tasty burger and tried a few different beers - YUM!! I really want to give this place 5 stars but the ladies behind the bar were difficult to deal with and didn't seem to know their beers very well. When we asked questions, they just kept referring us back to the menu, which didn't have our answers. Oh well, they're young and hot - easy to look at. I'll definitely return to the Ale House.
(4)
Sally B.

Good food and great service. I had one beer, and two shared appetizers. Left me with indigestion, but they were the best sliders I've ever had! The meat:bun was 2:1, never have I experienced such slider awesomeness before. My b/f is a huge beer fan, and they had a lot on the menu to please his discriminating palate. Small place, and you can't drink your beer at the tables outside, but definitely plan to go back.
(4)
carly a.

when the waiter tells you "you know we have a long wait, you guys should probably get going" you know you are in a classy establishment!! the pizza sucks too. if its the same owners as the first place that no one went to GOOD LUCK I foresee "Space Available" in the window
(1)
Tim R.

Best local selection, great service and good concept.
(5)
Vembra H.

visited on Tuesday night and found the place jam packed. Fun for me because I love a lively crowd. Didn't wait long even though it was 2 for 1 Burger night. The Bartender very helpful and friendly. While waiting asked for a tasting sampler. Gave the bartender some information about my preferences and she nailed it. I didn't like all the same but I love sampling as a learning tool. Sat at the bar with other locals and friendly people. Asked about what was the best - always an interesting response- but made a decision based on referral. The meal was really good for bar food, which is what I expected. the size of the burger - well, I should have split it. I was impressed with all the Belgiums they offer. I will definitely return for another round. Really a fun little place tucked away on 101 Encinitas. Went to try the beer and burgers and wasn't disappointed. LIttle jewel in Encinitas.
(4)
Nathan P.

Good appetizers as well
(4)
Chuck S.

Small space packed with crafty strong beers. Ordered up the Santana's burger which was fire-breathing spicy. Towards the end my bun had breakage and had to go open faced on it. Great place to start an evening by ordering up a few brews and moving on. Restrooms are located outside which makes the place "unique", "charming", or "whaaa??"
(3)
T G.

Yum!!!!!! Both for the Food and the Beers! Only drawback, and why it is not a 5-star for me is that we have gone by a couple of times and since it is so small, there were no seats or tables available, so we left! ;(
(4)
Jacqueline O.

I have an extreme love hate relationship with this place. On the one hand the food and beer is always really good but I just don't think that it's enough to keep me going back. The service is some of the worst that I have ever experienced! The waitstaff, which now that I think of it I have only ever been waited on by a woman, is terrible. It takes them about 10 to 15 minutes for them to even acknowledge that you are there. And I get that when it's busy, there is a lot going on but even just saying hello can make a big difference. Instead you are usually just left standing there waiting to be told what the hell to do. Then, they don't even offer to get you a drink while you are waiting.... which hello! We are there to drink! When you are finally seated, the waitress will take your order and never return. You are usually waiting and need to tell them that you are finished. And yes, its true, if you are a man there without a woman you will get better service. Kind of unbelievable. The male bar tenders are a little better but not by much. To top it off, 2 times I have bitten into my burger to find a giant eucalyptus leaf in the patty and this has also happened to my boyfriend. Like I said, the beer and food is always so good, other than if you find a surprise in your burger patty, but the service is terrible. Good concept, horrible execution.
(2)
Tom R.

When we went there for breakfast, they had a sign that said that they open at 9:30. We got there a few minutes after 10. There was a "closed" sign outside, but the door was wide open. Nobody was about so I walked to the back and called out. Somebody came out and thanked me for arousing them. We have now gone there for lunch. It appears to me that their lunch menu had some hang-overs from when they were a wine bar. Neither of the dishes we ordered went well with beer. Perhaps if we had ordered burgers ... The service was acceptable, but nothing special, as was the food. They have a very nice selection of about 60 beers, half of them on tap. It looks quite interesting to go to for a beer, but I don't intend to come back for a meal.
(2)
Mike B.

probably the best pub in enci...good beer selection and stuffy on hot days. had the garlic burger 2 days ago and i still smell like it! i'm coming back today!
(4)
Jim L.

If I could get a seat at the bar I might give this place more stars. The reviews for this place are spot on, it's got a terrific selection of craft brews. My wife and I went their last week. We stood and waited for a seat to open up at the bar ... it never happened. And if it did happen, there were a half dozen other folks waiting to pounce, and I hate that sort of thing (fighting for a seat). Some of the people at the bar seemed bothered by the standing-room-only folks who were leaning over their shoulders to get the attention of the bartender. And here's the other reason I can't give this place more than 3 stars - we had 2 beers and with tax and tip it came to $20 bucks. You're paying for the expensive real estate ... hwy 101, Encinitas. And the other reviewers are right, no sample tastings and they pour exactly to a pour line. Someone is watching the bottom line a bit too closely here. So, if you don't mind standing and you don't mind paying $20 for 2 beers, this is a great place for you.
(3)
TX O.

We took my son and his wife here for her birthday. It was noisy, but the food was great. Gets crowded really fast as it's a small space so expect to definitely rub elbows, or run fast to grab space when someone vacates a table. The beer selection is large which meant my wife got her favorite, Duchesse de Bourgogne. They run specials here and there and the Hefeweizen for $6 and you keep the glass was decent, but, in general, beer was on the pricey side. The bison burgers were fantastic. The flavors were blended well and two people can easily shared an order of french fries. The burgers come with chips but you can pay extra for fries. The service was just ok with the waitress being distracted and more interested in when we were going to order another beer. All in all, a good evening.
(3)
Beth C.

Understaffed, over priced and over spiced! I am very dissapointed in my first Encinitas Ale House experience! We have been wanting to try it for months, but it is always so packed that we just walk on by. Tonight there was a patio table sitting wide open, so we figured it was meant to be (especially since guests were packed inside like sardines and the place felt like sauna inside) ... we should have known when the waitress took forever to take our drink orders (non alcoholic, by the way, since we were sitting out on the patio), then finally showed up with just one of our drinks because they were "running short on glasses" ... she did a quick drive by with the second drink (a flat root bear) and another ten minutes passed before she came back for our order. During that time, we considered leaving, but thought it could not possibly get any worse ... we thought we were okay when the food actually came out pretty quickly ... hubby got the duck burger and garlic fries which were fantastic, but I made the mistake of ordering their house chicken tacos ... there was so much pepper on them that I could not taste anything else. After three bites my mouth was burning and I knew there was no way I would be able to eat them. For about ten minutes we tried to wave down a waitress (there are only two for the entire place!!) ... by the time she came by, the hubs was done with his meal and we were ready to go ... I have never before sent a meal back, I am just not one of those people, but this was so bad and the menu said nothing about pepper ... the waitress was nice about it, but it took ten more minutes for her to come back and clear my plate and another twenty minutes to get the check. We won't make that mistake again.
(1)
diane s.

this is for happy hour - we were lucky and got there at three o'clock on a wednesday; weren't aware how perfect our timing was! it was nice to have a bartender/waitress who was actually knowledgeable concerning the dozens of beers they have available. food was great and at happy hour prices an amazing bargain. calamari, grilled sausage, decent crab cakes. will return anytime we're in san diego county.
(5)
Kim B.

I really don't believe I'm being harsh with this review, Honestly Methinks Not... is what the one star is about. And I definitely think NOT. We were a large party(close to 25) on a Sunday night. The place is definitely not equipped for large parties, but that wasn't the problem. They only have beer and wine which for me is not the greatest but I'm not a big drinker so I can take it or leave it. BUT a friend wanted to go there because they supposedly had some great burgers. Well I was SO Disappointed!!!! I got the sliders because I wasn't extremely hungry and I new I wouldn't finish a real burger, but anyone cam slap cheese and meat in a bun and call it a day. The burger was so dry, It was honestly lacking something. And after talking with others, not even telling them what I thought of my food, they pretty much said the same thing. It hurt to receive the bill at the end of the night and paying 12 bucks for some sliders that were way over priced!
(1)
Katy H.

This place deserves 20 stars. Best beer selection around. Best wild boar burger around. Great job!
(5)
gordon h.

yes the beer selection is great and yes the food is great and yes the service is good too. my only complaint is I had the mussels the other day, I just think that the pasta sauce is overwhelming. way over done keep it simple and go with a garlic/herb butter to give the mussels the show. also had the crab cakes, good but over cooked, they were like little hockey pucks. chef needs to make some adjustments gh
(3)
Hannah S.

I stopped in here this weekend due to my beer-admiring uncle's insistence. Good thing I did! We tried a variety of beers. He recommended the Belgians so I ordered the Allagash Black Belgian Stout. ATTN Guinness fans: you'll like it better. Creamy, delicious, coffeelike. So yummy. I ordered the Santana burger which is basically a burger with pepperjack cheese and spicy sauce and peppers stuffed inside. Did it make my ulcer cry? Yes. Was it worth it? Definitely. The sweet potato fries were pretty good too and covered with delicious parmesan flakes. My aunt ordered the kobe burger. I was too full to try but she said it was amazing. Her onion rings were really really good too. Not drenched in oil, perfectly lightly browned, and a nice mix of crunchy/soft. My uncle got the bison burger which he said was perfectly cooked and not dry at all. So moral of the story: excellent spot. He ordered the Cuvee des Trolls Pale Blonde for my aunt which was really yummy and fruity and memorable. So much so that i forgot what beer he ordered for himself. That's power.
(4)
Joe B.

Terrible service. Terrible food. The chicken wings (asked for well done) were raw. The burgers were raw. The salad was limp and disgusting. The only thing worse than the food was the service. They have a good beer selection but it doesn't make up for bad food and service. The bill was also wrong. Won't ever go back.
(1)
Lucy B.

Came here whena friend said "they have 12% beer" and a list that is over 80 beers to choose from AND a fantastic burger. So off I went to find this place. It's eas to miss, as just a little sign on top tucked away between all the shops. Inside is great, perfect for a beer and a burger. Burgers are ~$9 but saw one called "Kobe Wagyu with Gorgonzola cheese and Fried Onions" for $16 and HAD to have it. It was about 2 foot high and could not even attempt to put in in my mouth! It was REALLY good and worth driving here just to try it......
(5)
Lindsay L.

I always think that personal stories on Yelp are kind of odd. But I'm going to tell one anyway. So, last week I was really plugging away at work; putting in 80-odd hours on various projects. I had ONE night off and one night only... and I chose to spend it here for a girly beer night club. As I walked in, I thought to myself, "THIS BETTER BE GOOD." So yeah, I went into Ale House with a hypercritical attitude. And they DELIVERED. The club organizer had told the owner about the meeting, and the staff really went out of their way to treat us like queens and princesses. Beer tasters, a one-on-one with a brewer guest, a reserved table right near the door, the whole nine yards. It was small, it was crowded, and a little hot, but we really had a blast. I also loved the beer list, but that's because I'm obsessed with Belgians right now. They had Hitachino Red on tap, which I had to try because I've never seen it on draft before. They are quite heavy on Belgian style draft beers, so keep that in mind before going (I saw maybe 2-3 strongs and IPAs each). Burger was nice as well. I had a mushroom burger; I think I would have enjoyed it more if the temperature was a little more forgiving. Anyway, definitely recommend them for service, for events, and for Belgian swillers. Love. ^_^
(4)
Joey E.

Excellent beer selection, I had the Pranqster by North Coast which was really good. I also had the garlic burger, for all you garlic fans this is the burger to try. I really underestimated how garlic-y it would be and towards the end I was sort of overwhelmed by it. Nevertheless, it was really good! The patty itself was pretty juicy and kind of reminded me of Umami burgers. The restaurant is kind of small, so you might have trouble grabbing a table right away or even a seat at the bar. If I was ever in town again I would definitely go again..the whole menu (food and beer) looks really good.
(4)
John S.

Had to bump down a star. Much to my dismay, I was coerced to eat here with my ladyfriend during happy hour. The decently priced mussel dish went down fantastically and without a hitch, but an hour or so later my stomach threw a wild fit filled with savage bouts of Exorcist-style projectile vomiting. You haven't felt pain until you've had half-digested New Zealand mussels in tomato sauce forced from your bowels at 105 MPH. It was like channeling a seafood satan or something. You're probably thinking, "Gee-golly-goodness, how does this swell fella know all this ruckus was from THAT finger-lickin' dinner?" You can believe what you want. My food poisoning expertise comes from a few trips to the pathogenically compromised cesspools that kinder people call "Third World Countries". I've had so many similar experiences that by now I know what made me sick and when I ate it. Mussels are eternally ruined in my soul. Regardless of what my woman says, I will stick to the fries and beer from now on. I've said that once before...
(2)
Andre E.

Food was pretty good one of the best burgers ive had in a while. LOTS of beers on tap and our server Brian T. was an Awesome server. Keep up the great work bro and thanks for the great service!!
(4)
P B.

I love this place for both the burgers and the beer selection. It is a small place and does get crowded but the burger choices are amazingly delish. The selection of microbrews can be overwhelming but I'd rather have LOTS of choices than a limited selection. Can't say I've tried the pizza so maybe next time. It's street parking but is one of my go to spots after a day of hanging out with surfers on the beach. I would highly recommend it to friends and out-of-towners!
(5)
Ricardo R.

I love coming to Encinitas this is my little get away from the city of Angeles the people and beaches are amazing . Now when you find a great pub like this with great beer and great food that makes your experience a whole lot better .There beer selection is always amazing and staff is always knowledgeable of there drinks. I tried there Kobe beef burger with a glass of triple karmeliet well a couple of glasses and my night was in full swing . I definitely recommend this place
(4)
Vanessa S.

I love the ale house. Good beer, massive AND veggie friendly burgers, great staff. My only complaint is that they are so good that they are always crowded making for a somewhat loud and claustrophobic feel at times. But they really are awesome otherwise.
(5)
Kenny P.

Horrible service ok food but overpriced
(1)
Angela B.

Great Burger -- hormone-free, all organic, etc, etc. Crap fries. Crap sweet potato fries. I know, weird right? Whatevs... great little place and ditch the fries for a salad. Tip: No drinking on the outside patio... which means you can usually find a seat there as everyone is crammed inside boozin' :D
(3)
Melinda D.

We met up with a few friends at Encinitas Ale House on a Sunday afternoon to catch some Chargers highlights (boo blackout!). I was actually surprised it wasn't crowded but was glad because we could actually have a conversation with friends without yelling. Yay! Another great thing about this bar is the tap list. Lots of great choices, from Belgians to Ales. If you aren't sure what to get, the bartender can offer up a good suggestion. I ordered chicken tacos, which were quite good. Corn tortilla with grilled chicken, cabbage and a their house-made ale sauce. Nico ordered a mushroom masala burger which he devoured so it must have been good. 4 stars because their prices are a bit high for food.
(4)
Annie G.

Great place to get a burger and beer. They have an unbelievable beer menu that is updated every few days. It's a small place so don't bring a big group. It is hard to find a spot but it's worth it. Very cozy and comfortable
(5)
Pendleton F.

The privilege of living in Encinitas is far above my pay grade (literally), but I had an opportunity to house sit for somebody who very deservedly owns a home in the area. I quickly discovered that for all its charms, Encinitas has comparatively little to offer the active, outgoing 20-something say, in comparison to North Park or Hillcrest. What Encinitas suffers from in quantity it compensates for in quality, and there's no better demonstration of that quality than the Encinitas Ale House. It's easy to miss. Driving down Encinitas' main street it's easier to keep your eyes locked on garish or old fashioned Googie architecture. But the Encinitas Ale House occupies a small, non-descript space at the end of a block. The best cue to look for might be the long. On weekday nights you'll see an eclectic mix of young bar hoppers, exhausted surfers, and white collar workers assembling for the greasy, sudsy treats inside. The burgers and fries are stellar. Massive in size and flavor, they're not elegant, but they punch with a lot of flavor, and you're certain to walk out with two hands on your bulging belly. The fries and onions both pass muster too, glistening with oil and brimming with flavor. The real draw for me is the beer selection. For being such a small and dark corner of the world, Encinitas Ale House crams in a lot of taps. New beer bars and restaurants these days can safely and proudly center their taps in the middle of the room, almost like a fireplace or a mantle. Not so with the Encinitas Ale House, which looks more like a mad scientist's underground layer. Taps are here, but also there, and sometimes they wrap around a corner, and sometimes the tap plumbing is visible, and sometimes not. Ordering one beer requires the bartender to turn around and then turn back, all on the same dime. Another order might send her hustling off to another, distant part of the restaurant. But the logistical costs of this set up are well worth it. Not only does this ale house have a large collection, but the beers are stellar, and typically rare. I have a long and studied craft beer career, and I was pleasantly surprised (maybe even shocked?) at the sorts of beers available on tap. A third feature that I think is easily overlooked is the location. San Diegans take proximity to beaches for granted, but having a place like this so close to the beach, the ocean, and miles of beautiful walking and ambulatory thinking makes this an extra special destination. Either pre-game a sunset at the beach with an Imperial IPA, or round up a long day gull chasing and people watching with a heavy beer. Cold from the wind off the water? Get an imperial stout. Still recovering from the sweltering heat of those last weeks in September? Opt for a Hefeweizen. The beer industry is finding that it can market itself to unconventional places, and I think that fits well with the Ale House. Once inside, you could be inside any other cramped, cozy beer n' brew bar. But knowing that a beautiful sunset or some surfing is within walking distance? That gives the Encinitas Ale House it's own very Californian touch on a tried and true formula for satisfying both appetite and third.
(5)
Roseann M.

GROSS GROSS...I will never step foot back in that place. We had a ROACH run across our dinner table, only to be squashed by one of our guests under their beer mug. The waitress treated it like no big deal and only took the mug and offered no apology. We also did a few flight of beers only to feel bloated and sick. Never again and I would not recommend this place to anyone, because food and Roaches just don't mix!
(1)
C S.

Went here for beer week and the place was packed! The food and beer were good. We got the margherita pizza and the bbq burger. They had a good selection of beer. While we were enjoying the beer and food, two cockroaches came out of nowhere and were crawling on the wall next to our table. When we flagged the waiter down to inform him, they were gone so he didn't do anything about it. Though the food and beer were great (I would give 4 stars), cockroaches usually means a place is dirty (minus a star)!
(3)
Brittany R.

Went there there on Tuesday for the 2 for 1 burgers but unfortunately once we got our bill the waitress told us that we missed it by 20 minutes because it was only until 8 PM. So, note to self. I ordered the Santana and my boyfriend ordered the Garlic burger. They were both very good. The fries were good as well. The best part about this place is their beer selection. My boyfriend and I love IPA's and we both loved our beers. :) I don't think it deserves a 5 star because I have definitely had better burgers (even though these were so very good). So, 4 stars works. :) kudos to this place!
(4)
Kevin R.

It's easy to get excited about better craft beer selection in north county, but for me the execution is not there yet. The unfortunate: - Three separate visits with food, every time people left with a stomach ache (sliders, burgers, calamari). I'll still visit for the beer and hope kitchen gets things sorted out soon (it is relatively new with the re-opening as an alehouse). Wine bar roots show through: - Luxus couldn't make it as a wine bar, so the owner closed up, and reopened as a beer bar. Probably a good call with the the popularity of beer bars across the county and relative lack of selection in the area. - The staff is learning, but probably knows more about the wines they sell than the beers. - Wine bar style, they don't really have a good concept for tastes. A bit reluctant to hand out tasters, and they are looking to sell tasters sets at 4-6 in 5 oz pours. For me, with such a wide selection, I like the option of a quick sample before settling into a pint. I'm actually more likely to buy more beer if I can taste it first. The beer: - They had 30-ish taps, aiming to add a dozen or so more. - Taps are about half belgian, the bartender we spoke with said they are aiming for about 45% belgian. - The rest of the taps were interesting and varied, no obvious theme, kind of like they ask their distributors what's crafty and different and order it. I'd say on the whole it's good to be different, one of the nice things about them coming at it from a different perspective is the tap selection is different that would be seen at pizza port, for example. - However, I walk into pizza port and generally want to have at least half of their beers (home and away). I do appreciate that they are different, but at the EAH, there's far fewer taps I'm interested in. Other notes: - Sometime early in 2010 they plan to get directv for better sports (i.e. nfl) coverage - On a cold blustery day, the interior seemed a charming place to huddle for warmth, conversation and a few pints. - Tuesday is half price burgers (at $18 for the flagship that's a good thing), beers discounted daily during happy hour. - Sidewalk patio seating will be great in the summer time, but the liquor license doesn't extend outside so it's of questionable value. Loving craft beer, and having recently moved from north park to encinitas, I'm thrilled to have a beer bar in town. Even if it's not my ideal beer bar, I'd like these guys to succeed and to encourage more north county restaurants and bars to serve high quality beer.
(3)
Patrick M.

Best beer selection in encinitas and the staff is very helpful with helping you make a decision. Also the food is really good.
(5)
Tom C.

This place is really cool. We drove down from San Clemente to make a day trip and stopped in here for lunch. We did the #1 and #2 beer flight samplers and they were really good. I loved the cherry porter. We had the Waygu burgers and they were nothing short of fantastic. This is a really fun place with great beer from all over the world. Go and have fun.
(4)
Fumi M.

Seating is quite limited but the atmosphere is great! Great selection of beer, it's a nice change to wine centric downtown Encinitas area. Beer selection tends to lean heavy towards Belgian beers, but you can find pretty rare domestic craft beers on tap also. What I like most about Encinitas Ale House is that they always, always have proper stemware for each and every beer that they serve. Remember kids to always drink your beer in the proper glassware, because a properly served beer is a better beer. 1 star for service 1 star for beer selection 1 star for food 1 star for atmosphere 1 star for proper stemware Taking away 1 star because I can never find a place to sit. But again, that's a sign that the people of Encinitas love the Ale House!
(4)
Natalee B.

My husband and I love this place!! It is really small so it can get packed. We usually try to go in between prime lunch and dinner hours. They have a huge beer menu which changes daily. And, the food is excellent!!
(5)
I K.

Awesome burgers, HORRIBLE service. I feel like the servers are trained to ignore the customers and then begrudgingly serve them. It's a bummer because I really like the food and the vibe. I've been here many times and have only met one server who was close to pleasant. You need to wave a bright orange flag and jump up and down and do headstands to get any attention. Imagine what this place could be like if the servers treated their customers like friends instead of headaches. It's gross. The servers are a reflection of the establishment and they COULD be reflecting awesomeness.
(3)
Chris B.

Great selection of beers and solid food offering. Location is very small, so it gets packed, which can make it tough to sit and enjoy. I actually hesitate to write a good review because the last thing this cool place needs is more crowding. Well worth a visit, especially during a rare slow time when you can find a seat and enjoy.
(4)
Betz B.

Yep, best burger in San Diego and we've tried about every place that advertises being 'the best burger'. Excellent beer selection too. The only reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5 is the service could be better. It's all about catering to the customer and the bartenders and wait staff keep it from getting more stars.
(4)
Karla P.

I would love to give this place 5 stars. The beer selection is great, the food is great and the staff is top notch, too. I love the Costa Rican fish tacos and the Buffalo Chicken Salad...nom nom nom. The patrons are a pretty cool bunch, too. I'm giving it a 4 star rating because of two things: 1) You have to sit at the bar or the 2 tables up front in order to pay happy hour prices. This place is tiny. 25 seats including those at the bar and those two tables. My roommate and I have been looking for a happy hour spot to call our own and we really wanted this to be the place. We tried 2 different Fridays, both times we were unable to get seats at the bar and missed happy hour. The 4 tables in the back, the "restaurant" area, are almost always available, but you can't order off the happy hour menu if you sit there. I get that they're in business to make money, but happy hour is only a couple hours in the evening and if you're space is so limited, as it is here, my opinion is that all tables should serve happy hour specials. Again, this is just my opinion. We asked our waiter how early one had to be in order to get a seat at the bar and his response was 3pm. Um, this working stiff isn't able to justify leaving the office at 2:30 just so I can get a good seat for happy hour. That would be a difficult sell to my boss. 2) Ok, I don't have a second reason. Thought I did, but now I can't think of it. OH wait...the tables outside. It would be awesome if you could sit there and have a beer, too, but you can only order food and non-alcoholic beverages if you sit outside. An outdoor patio would be a great addition. Almost make up for the fact that it's impossible to get happy hour seating unless you get there at 3pm. Despite my bitching and complaining about the h.h. situation, I still plan on frequenting this establishment. It's just that good. Just wish it could be more often. Like every Friday after work.
(4)
Ms. Frances M.

Going back to this place has caused me to lower my original rating strictly based on service. The food and beer selection is great however the service or management of the place is off. Nothing kills the mood more than when 2 of the 3 entrees you ordered come out first and the last takes an extra 30 minutes. The excuse was that "the bread" was taking up space in the pizza oven. If that's the case then wait for the pizza and bring out all of the food together. Nothing was comp'd and the apology seemed very insincere. A sour experience overall.
(2)
C B.

The beer selection is great, the food is good too, but the service is a different story. I have been here a few times, and got bad service each time. I came with my boy friend once and the server looked at him the whole time brought him a water with ice and lemon, with out him asking, then when I asked for one I got a water no ice and no lemon...when I asked what came in the burger she said "whatever it says on the menue" the next experience wasn't any better just rude, and inattentive, I'm a server to so I can understand up to a certain point...but, too bad because this kind of services will stop me and my friends from coming back, and I like good food and good beer :/
(2)
Al S.

love the beer selection kind of suprising for a small local bar! Also love the buy one get one free burgers on Tuesdays. You just gotta remind those hot waitresses to remember that as well. Sometimes they forget to do the free one.
(4)
L A.

Outside seating gets rewarded w no alchoholic beverages. 5 stars for burger taste, quality and variety! Definitely two of the best burgers I have ever had. My son had the santana burger . . . if you like new mexico green chili (hot green chili), then the Santana is your meal choice. Plump and juicy patty topped with everything to order and the best part, a roasted poblano chili as one of the dressing items. Delicious! If you want something a bit more off the Richter scale, the Kobe Wagyu burger is the way to go. Served with Avacado, shoestring onion rings, Gorgonzola cheese, the delicious 1/2 pound kobe beef patty is a true delight. The sides were sweet potato fries cooked to perfection and a side of mac & cheese. The m&C wasn't as great as i had hoped but the burger made up for it. They had several other options for burgers including a lamb burger . . . i will be back here!! We sat just outside the restaurant in the afternoon. Pleasant watching the passersby. service was good . . . attentive tag team of ladies making sure we were taken care of.
(5)
Todd W.

Almost five stars. After having been across the street at union that was pretty lame came over here and found a real gem. Lots of beer to choose from. I ordered the fish tacos and they were great also did not know it when I ordered it came with a small salad that was very good. Service was fast and responsive as well.
(4)
Amber F.

Yummy, eclectic menu. So many beers on tap!! LOVE IT We didn't try the Lion Burger or anything crazy, but tasted the Kobe Sliders and a delicious Salad with fries. Fun place. Lucky to find a table or be patient and wait.
(4)
Nick T.

Cool bartenders, great beer selection and a very good burger. I approve. Now this is a place that I was not expecting to discover while walking up the 101 highway. What caught my eye was the Delerium sign posted right outside the entrance way with the days specials. Of course we have to go in and check it out. I take a quick look around the dark interior and noticed that although the bar itself is small, the beer selection is huge. The guys really knew their beers also. Check out their website ! Like any good beer bar their selections are always changing. encinitasalehouse.com Since I didnt want the same beers that I could get at the beer bars in my neighborhood, I opted for a couple that I had never had before and what was cool was that I got to keep two of the glasses = ) This bar will absolutely be a destination for me if I am going anywhere north of La Jolla. Cool vibe, nice people as well as workers and Ive always liked Encinitas.
(4)
Shannon S.

Great beer selection. Sweet potato fries, bootlegger burger and costa rican fish tacos = yum. Ask for fish tacos grilled.
(3)
Maria A.

Such a great addition to Encinitas. IF you are from here or have lived here a long time, you are probably have your fill of Mexican Food! This place has a great selection of different food for everyone. Today i had the grilled fish tacos. The fish was a little over cooked, but the side salad was awesome! For only $10 it was a lot of food. I'm trying to cut back on the beer so i passed for today, but they have a GREAT selection and i will def be back for happy hour. The atmosphere is great! It is small, but that is what makes it so homey! I love all the beer taps on the ceiling. I can't wait to go back and try a burger and some beer! I'm glad they opened and i hope they stay in business!
(4)
Kasey A.

Best place in Encinitas. Period. Delicious. Small though - could use some more seats - always packed.
(5)
Lianna S.

I'm not a huge beer drinker, but enough to appreciate this place. It used to be the Luxus Bistro, blah, so we decided to give it another shot and see what the Ale House was all about. It was packed on a Saturday night but we managed to find a seat at the bar.They have so many beers it was hard to decide but the bartender steered me toward a yummy Belgian selection. It's cozy and nice inside with a few flat screen TV's. They did a great job turning it around, hope it lasts! Also they had a really unique menu that I'd like to check out next time.
(4)
Erin M.

Amazing salads. Sweet potato fries are awesome. The beer selection is extensive, my favorite thing to do is to get the sampler of different beers. Seating is competitive, but the service is generally very good.
(4)
Casper K.

Poor Management. Customer Service Lacking. Confused Staff. The Encinitas Ale House is a reincarnation of the old Luxus CafÃ©, which was a nice Bistro with interesting food and some good beer and wine. But the owners decided a makeover might bring in more business. So they rebranded, added more taps and beers, extended the bar, changed the menu and added more annoying flat panel large screen TVs. Just what Encinitas needed, huh? Another sports focused beer hall complete with the ubiquitous bar food. Maybe that's what the local crowd wants. Except Encinitas Ale house fails on multiple levels. After two visits with consistent experiences, I'm here to warn you to stay away. With so many better options within a mile of the aching Ale House, like D Street Bar & Grill, 3rd Corner and Beachside Bar & Grill to name a few, you don't need to put up with the bad management and uninspired staff at the Encinitas Ale House. I wanted to like this place. Yet I must warn and advise you. Stay away. First mark, I surveyed the beer list and was intrigued by one of the selections and asked the bartender for his notes on the beer. He shrugged and said "It's okay." I then asked for a small sample, which in most places is just common courtesy and a great sales tool. He told me that the Policy of the Encinitas Ale House is NO TASTES. Hmmm. Now that's too bad. He didn't even present me with an option. Try three tastes for $5 or whatever. "You want it or not?" was the bartenders response. Now you enter any of the other places mentioned elsewhere in this review and you'll get the opposite response. Even the 3rd Corner will pour you a tad taste of a $15/glass wine. Second mark, I ordered a starter from the menu of bar food. It took 20 minutes, way too long for something so simple. Even worse, the food was cold! The bartender took it away and submitted another order. Meanwhile, food kept pouring out of the kitchen with runners or other servers trying to figure out who ordered what. My girl friend had a hamburger dropped in front of her; "this is yours, right?" the server asked. Wrong. She's vegetarian. He picked the plate up and tried the preson next to her. Wrong again. Another three plates out of the kitchen. The confused runner follwed the wagging finger of my bartender to a couple a few seats away. Wrong again. Event the bartender couldn't remember who ordered what. This isn't their fault. It's management. And it's training. And clearly, the owners lack both. After another twenty minutes the bartender asked, "You still don't have your food?" Nope. I ordered another beer. "I'm really sorry," he lamented, "let me see what's wrong." Fifteen minutes later he asks my girlfriend if she wants another beer. NO. She wants to leave. I'm still waiting for my order. She finished her food twenty minutes before. I'm still waiting. After another ten minutes food is dropped in front of me. Thankfully it's hot. But it's heavy handed in sauce and a skimpy plate for the $8 or $9 starter. The bartender sees me and food and inquires. I tell him at least it's hot. He apologizes again. Mumbles something about the kitchen staff and walks away. More servers run behind me looking for the table that ordered the mussels. They're clueless. When my bartender drops the check, he looks at me with lazy bloodshot eyes and says "so sorry about the wait, man. but it's one of those things. just one of those things." I pick up the tab and realize that he's charged me for everything. Reasonable. Because I ordered everything. But given it took over an hour to get my appetizer, and the profuse string of apologies, good management would realize that this is a bad situation and either covered the cost of the starter or simply covered the cost of one of my beers. But I got nothing. Nothing was ever offered. "Hey, let me buy you a beer because you've waited so long" would have been proper decorum. But the bartender has no leeway, no responsibility and no guts. I could care less about the $5-$9 that I paid for each item. It's just that management and good staff must recognize when things are gonig wrong and work in the interest of hte customer to make him or her feel better. But at Encinitas Ale House, they don't care about the customer. Nor about how he/she feels.
(1)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

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Address : 1044 S Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas, CA, 92024
Phone (760) 943-7180
Website https://www.encinitasalehouse.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:00 pm - 11:00pm
Mon : 4:00 pm - 11:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

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Encinitas Ale House

1044 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA, 92024

Encinitas Ale House Menu

Burgers

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Burgers

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Burgers

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