Zack Knipe’s affection for the neighborhood he calls home was such that he didn’t allow an inability to secure a space there to keep him from celebrating the community through his business, Kensington Brewing Company (KBC). For the first four years of its existence, KBC operated in a Grantville industrial park, three miles from Kensington. All the while, bottles of the three-barrel operation’s assorted ales were adorned with artwork featuring the iconic neon Kensington sign hanging over Adams Avenue. If it was an aspirational move, it worked.
Come 2017, Knipe was able to take over the longtime home of Kensington Video, which he remodeled into a cozy taproom with a lengthy bar equipped with two dozen taps. During the pandemic, Knipe moved out of the Grantville space he’d kept hold of, consolidating his operation to the Kensington location while working with a contract-brewer to keep enough beer in stock, particularly a pair of beers, Torero Blue blonde ale and Torero Bold IPA, which were produced exclusively for his alma mater, the University of San Diego.
“When we were in Grantville, people would always say, ‘If you’re Kensington Brewing Company, then why are you in Grantville?’,” says Knipe. “I don’t think people realize how small of a community Kensington is. We had to be patient and wait until a space became available, but that patience paid off. We love our tasting room and neighbors, and we have had great landlords, as well.”
The above positives made Knipe’s and co-founder Andy Rogers’ recent decision to close KBC harder to come to, but they believe those assets can benefit another entrepreneur. As such, they would ideally like to hand their space and equipment over, turnkey-style, to an existing brewing company or aspiring brewery owner. Such a sale would include the following:
- Approximately 1,500-square-foot tasting room with a 24-tap draft system
- Small kitchen with a three-bin sink, dishwasher and ice-maker
- Built-in audio-visual equipment with ceiling-mounted speakers, four televisions and a large projection screen
- Approximately 1,200-square-foot shaded outdoor patio
- Three-barrel brewing system
- Kegs
Parties interested in contacting Knipe are invited to do so via email.
“After 10 amazing years and fun times, we are simply interested in other pursuits,” says Knipe. “My kids are getting older and are playing youth sports. I want to be there for them and be involved.”
When asked what he considers the highlights of his time operating KBC, the sunsetting brewer owner replies, “Being a beer guy, I could focus on the awesome creations we have come up with over the years, but what really sticks out are the great times we have had and the awesome people we have had the chance to meet.”
KBC will remain open through its last day of service, which will take place on Sunday, September 18.
Kensington Brewing is located at 4067 Adams Avenue in Kensington