The Confessional by The Lost Abbey

Beer tasting rooms don't get much better than the Confessional. Ambience is quite lively, with a friendly crowd and speakers pumping Rage Against the Machine. The decor is reminiscent of a traditional Irish pub, with dark wood and cozy fixtures everywhere. The craft beer at Lost Abbey are top notch and a welcome respite from the IPA dominated tap lists at most places. There are beautiful mainstay beers for every palate along with barrel-aged brews, sours, and one-off oddities to catch the interest of a beer snob.Everything I tasted was phenomenal, and service at the bar was fast and professional. I was pretty wiped out after a long day at the beach, and the Lost Abbey was an absolute oasis. This was a highlight of San Diego, and I can't wait to make it back.

As someone who travels around checking out breweries, the Lost Abbey Confessional is special!Conveniently located by the very iconic Seaside Market, my lady and I snagged Cardiff Crack tri tip sandos and popped into the Lost Abbey Confessional for locally made beer. They have a diverse menu with lagers, IPAs, Belgian offerings (Lost and Found their Belgian-style Dubbel pairs so well with the tri tip sando!), barrel aged sours, and even hop water. The room is filled with locals and visitors alike. The staff are rockstars (Barbara was the one who helped us out), keeping their heads on swivels, picking up glassware, and greeting the regulars. Their to-go menu is vast and the beertenders can easily answer any questions.It's a gem to visit while you are in North County!

We decided to give this place a shot after hearing about its supposed ocean views, but it turns out we misunderstood--it's not beachfront, and the ocean isn't visible from their location. However, once we adjusted our expectations, we found plenty to enjoy.One highlight was their beer selection, which offered a nice variety without overwhelming choices. We particularly appreciated the option to create a flight with our top picks. The bartenders were exceptionally friendly and accommodating.As luck would have it, just as we settled in, it started pouring rain, prompting everyone else to leave. Suddenly, we found ourselves alone with the bartender, sharing a laugh over our unexpected private moment. It was a quirky twist that added to the charm of the experience of being in a "confessional"

Enjoyed some lovely drinks and sat outside here. It's counter service. Come and grab a slice if pizza next door

Love the theme and layout. There is a patio room with benches to eat and drink. They do not offer food but there are several food places and seaside market to get food from. You can't have drinks leave the patio area, so I would suggest to have someone grab a patio table while someone else gets food. It's a nice little spot tucked away in the plaza, you wouldn't be able to see while driving by. Several options to choose from and I like that they offer beer flights. The bartender provided suggestions when we weren't sure what to order, but we ended up only liking 2 or the 4 options we got. Overall it's an okay place to hang out but we did encounter a few dogs almost fighting in the patio and there weren't any TVs to watch anything for entertainment, music was good.

Barbara is great, the location is great, and there are lots of fun, interesting, and delicious beers to try. The service makes it special though, and Barbara is a big part of why we always come back.

__________________________________________YOU MAY BE A [CLOSET] MANSPLAINER IF...__________________________________________...you offer unsolicited advice beginning with "well actually..." when overhearing literally anything within 10 feet...you repeat yourself with an endless stream of useless "logic-derived" facts while ignoring all other "un-educated" points and saying things like "let me finish", or "calm down", or "so now I'M the bad guy"......you've tried to explain someone's own lived experience back to them...she says "I'm leaving you because of your mansplaining-- you just didn't see the writing on the wall", and your response is "actually that's called graffiti, Sharon."...you have ever "mansplained" mansplaining...when someone asks why you're mansplaing, you reply: "you don't understand, I actually have the correct information"...your favorite RomCom stars Hugh Grant in: "Well, Actually"...if your typical conversation with her goes like this: You: women are just so hard to read Her: not really, we just want-- You: such complex creatures Her: if you'd just let me say-- You: so mysterious...you spend all your free time listening to sports shows of men trying to out-mansplain each other...your every word on any subject carries the utmost importance, and points to the right direction in which mankind should advancePro tip: The Confessional / Lost Abbey makes Belgian-style beers, primarily ales (vs. lagers) with delicious fruity yeast flavors. Actually, beer is the world's oldest alcoholic drink, and the third most consumed drink overall behind water and tea. Pro tip: Well, actually Man's earliest writings refer to beer: "The Hymn to Ninkasi" was a prayer to the Mesopotamian beer goddess. This was not just a prayer but also a way to remember the recipe at a time of few literate people.Pro tip: You'd be hard pressed to find a better combination of 20+ unforgettable barrel-aged beers using seasonal hops; beach proximity (San Elijo), and a pizza joint next door. While here, speak quietly so you're not overheard, as there are closet mansplainers living among us.Disclaimer: if you or someone you know is a chronic mansplainer, call the mansplainer Help Line before it's too late: 1-800-ACT-UALLY (1-800-228-8255)

Top tier beers, great service and an ocean view! The best tasting room in San Diego.

The Confessional Lost Abbey Brewery location is a craft beer beauty and gem in the Cardiff area. The place has top quality brews, amazing beertenders, and a relaxing atmosphere. While I was taking in a nice beer during my time in the Confessional, I was pleasantly remind of how great stouts taste, especially during the cold winter season. I tried the seasonal imperial stout, Serpent's stout (thicc AF) 11% ABV, and its dark chocolate, coffee, smooth, and full bodied flavor got me feeling the winter vibes here in SD. It warmed me up and got me feeling pretty toasty already after one pour. It is a seasonal release for the winter, so make sure to try it out soon! I also tried the all-year-round popular judgment day quadruple ale (10.2%). All I gotta say is....Quad damn! That raisin tasty finish after you sip on this has got me wanting more! The malty, dark, roasty, aroma has put my spirit on fire, and my craving for a rich, deep, dark brew has been satisfied for sure. You be the judge of this ale, but for sure this is my favorite pour at Lost Abbey. This brewery knows what they are doing when it comes to beer. You can bring your own food here, and they are near the East Coast Pizza place. I recommend getting the turkey sub sandwich there and pair it with a Lost Abbey beer.Come to the Confessional, you might find something that you really like, maybe even an epiphany.

We wish we knew about this hidden gem a long time ago. Only found it 1 year ago and the place is fantastic. The beer selection has so many choices for all different taste buds. We are amazed as to the beer knowledge of the staff. They can explain the taste of all the beers when asked. We see many familiar faces as we go once per week, and it is nice to see that you have a great following. Barbara is a great leader, and all her staff are knowledgeable and friendly. We frequent this establishment not only for the great beer, but also the staff.