When Circle 9 Brewing opened in 2017, it was the seventh brewery to do so in Kearny Mesa. Since then, the area’s fermentation-operation count is down to five, with one planning to relocate in the near future due to an upcoming rezoning that will see the mostly industrial community transformed to include housing and mixed-use developments. The influx of residents could turn out to be a positive for whoever takes over Circle 9’s facility. Earlier this morning, owner Darren Baker announced it is for sale as a turnkey operation.
“The last three years running this brewery have probably been the best three years of my life. I enjoyed every minute of it, enjoyed all the beer and enjoyed all the people especially,” says Baker. “I’m 50 years old now and I’m just at a place where I really want to do something else. Mainly, that something else is traveling the world in an awesome RV and then maybe living abroad. Starting a brewery somewhere else may be a possibility, as well.”
Circle 9 is located a block-and-a-half west of Kearny Mesa’s Convoy Street thoroughfare in a 2,000-square-feet business park suite. Its 160-square-foot cold box is situated in the center of the suite to dispense beer to tasting-room customers from a dozen taps. The brewery is equipped with a three-and-a-half-barrel brewhouse, four seven-barrel fermenters and a seven-barrel brite tank. Tasting room furnishings, including three televisions, speakers and more will also be included as part of any sale.
“Ultimately, it would be cool to see the Circle 9 brand live on. If someone wanted to buy the brand, it would be an additional cost, but they would also inherit my recipes,” says Baker, whose affection for what he’s built and the good times he’s had complicates things. “It’s a really tough decision, but this is something that I need to do. I’ll miss the people the most, and then, the beer, of course.”
Baker says Circle 9 will stay open until the end of the year. He invites interested parties to contact him via email to discuss this opportunity.
Circle 9 Brewing is located at 7292 Opportunity Road, Suite C, in Kearny Mesa