When Mike Howell signed on to take over the space vacated by Pariah Brewing at North Park’s CRAFT by Brewery Igniter facility in 2023, he was eager to serve the Old World ales and lagers of his Barley & Sword Brewing with lessons about those beers’ historical significance. Though respectable, a business plan built around education and less-popular styles seemed risky in a market where consumer tastes gravitated almost exclusively to adjunct lagers and IPAs of the West Coast and hazy varieties – styles Howell did not intend to produce.
But lo and behold, by being different, Barley & Sword has stood out and amassed a following among people who understand and appreciate what Howell is doing and why. Enough that last year he was able to take over two of the three buildings comprising the campus of Jacked Up Brewery, an Escondido business that closed in 2024 after serving as a North County hot spot for beer and entertainment for eight years. Those structures – a 3,600-square-foot brewery equipped with a 10-barrel brewhouse, and a 3,200-square-foot, 36-tap tasting room with a kitchen and sizable stage setup – will now be home to Barley & Sword’s headquarters, while the North Park location will remain operative as a public venue and secondary production facility.
“Both spaces share the same DNA, rooted in traditional pub culture and the historical role of the public house as a place of gathering, conversation and community,” says Howell, who refers to the Escondido location as “The Tavern” and his original spot as “The Pub”. “The size and scale of the Escondido taproom gives us room to expand on our brand in a way that feels natural rather than forced. The goal is a classic pub experience filled with an eclectic mix of art, historical beer references and objects that feel collected over time rather than installed all at once.”
Barley & Sword’s North Park taproom has a homey, public-house feel with flags hanging from the ceiling, live-edge furniture, a faux fireplace covered in earthenware drinking vessels, and walls adorned with framed art, shields and weaponry. Howell doesn’t expect to stray far from that motif.
“There will be similarities between the two locations,” he says. “Our beer-label artwork will be featured in both spaces, and yes, there will be swords on the wall. That is non-negotiable. And we’re also on the hunt for the right fireplace feature. After all, what’s a proper tavern without a hearth?”
Additionally, the new taproom will be equipped with lighting to warm up walls that will be painted a color evocative of parchment. Howell is also installing a pair of beer engines in order to offer cask ale, a staple at the North Park location. Next door, he intends to up the size of the brewery and cellar to support both locations as well as increased sales through distribution. Last year, Barley & Sword partnered with Brown Bag Beverage for local distribution, while purchasing a refrigerated van for self-distribution of kegs and cans to Orange County and the Inland Empire. The company also entered the Oregon and Idaho markets and hopes to build on early momentum in both states.
Back in Escondido, the taproom will be the charge of newly hired manager Sara Gurnee, a hospitality veteran whose résumé includes stints with Deft Brewing and White Labs. One of her first orders of business has been setting up programming, which figures to include bi-weekly live music performances, knight fights, live Dungeons & Dragons nights, comedy and burlesque shows. Meanwhile, the kitchen will be managed by Barley & Sword’s culinary partner, Big Dawg Burger. Their menu will consist of their classic offerings alongside more traditional pub-style fare.
“Opening in Escondido isn’t just about having a bigger space for us,” says Howell. “It’s about showing up in a new community with a desire to be a part of the fabric and not just an injection of something new.”
While Howell’s ability to open Barley & Sword’s new location relies on him receiving necessary approvals from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, if all goes well, he intends to open the venue on Friday, March 13. Once open, the plan is for the Escondido venue’s hours of operation will mirror those of its North Park predecessor.
Barley & Sword Brewing’s headquarters is located at 800 West Grand Avenue in Escondido and its original location is located inside the CRAFT by Brewery Igniter facility at 3052 El Cajon Boulevard, Suite 102 in North Park