They installed a seven-barrel brewery and served their first handcrafted beer brewed on the premises in October 1992, becoming part of the "second wave" of craft breweries that led San Diego County to prominence in the craft brewing industry.

Even before that, the restaurant's guest taps featuring local home-brewed beer were "hugely influential" in the development of San Diego's brewing culture.

[1] The Solana Beach location was named Small Brewpub of the Year in both 2003 and 2004 by the Great American Beer Festival.

[3] The brews have won several prizes at the World Beer Cup, including 5 gold medals.

[6] In 2009, 2010 and 2011, Pizza Port Carlsbad was named Large Brewpub of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival.