Mike Howell already had a lot on his plate. Less than three years removed from launching Barley & Sword Brewing in a small leased unit inside H.G. Fenton’s CRAFT by Brewery Igniter facility in North Park, he and business partner Bruce Rice were high-fiving the successful March opening of the taproom at their business’ second location in Escondido. Much larger than the Brewery Igniter suite, the North County addition will allow the Navy vets to dramatically increase production of Barley & Sword’s old-world ales and lagers.
Howell’s current focus is on configuring and building out the northerly HQ’s production area. A new brewhouse and fermentation tanks will soon be en route, but as it turns out, the first equipment to grace Barley & Sword’s manufacturing floor will be that of Serpentine Cider. Earlier this month, Howell and Rice signed a deal to acquire that eight-year-old local brand and bring the operation in-house with assistance from Serpentine co-founder Sean Harris.
“This was not on our radar. Production of cider has always been a topic of conversation for us, but we weren’t quite ready to proceed through the administrative process of TTB and ABC licensing to make that happen,” says Howell. “When Sean came to me and asked if I was interested in acquiring the Serpentine brand, I had to really sit and think about it. The more I did, the more I realized what a wonderful pairing our two brands could become.”
Founded in 2017, Serpentine debuted in Miramar’s Miralani Makers District in a facility shared with fellow artisans, including Lost Cause Meadery. Harris’ goal was to craft ciders that were low in sweetness to debunk the common misconception all ciders are excessively sweet. Medals earned at competitions helped the company stand out among a small handful of local producers. In 2020, the company expanded, opening a satellite tasting room in North Park, however, last year Harris reluctantly had to shutter both of Serpentine’s locations, leaving fans of the business wondering if they’d ever enjoy the company’s ciders again. That fear has effectively been vanquished by this development.
“Sean is passing the torch of the Serpentine Cider brand completely over to us,” says Howell. “He will stay on as a founder and consultant so I can consult with him about the decisions we make for the brand, but ultimately he’s given us the reins. That being said, our deepest concern is to maintain the quality of both the product and identity of the brand Sean has spent the better part of a decade building.”
“We built a really amazing community at Serpentine Cider, one that welcomed various people who didn’t really have a fun place to congregate and show off their mutual love for nerd culture. We are big science, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who and all-around fantasy nerds.” says Harris. The castle-meets-public-house interiors of the Escondido taproom, which goes by the name “The Tavern”, are sure to be embraced by that sect, especially once tables and chairs from Serpentine’s Miramar spot – furnishings Harris and his father produced by hand – are added to the mix.
Once licensing is secured, Howell’s plan is to devote taps at the Escondido taproom to four core ciders plus one or two seasonals. Barley & Sword’s original location will likely be able to serve cider in the future, but it is not a priority at this time. Serpentine’s logo will also be added to the exterior of the North County facility, as Howell wants to make it a shared space for both brands since production of the ciders will take place there. Co-branded events, starting with an official Serpentine welcome party on Friday, May 15, should help drive home that feel, as will Harris’ physical presence.
“Barley & Sword is taking over production of Serpentine Cider, but I am very much going to be involved in quality control and making sure customers get the same great taste they used to,” says Harris. “I am going to be their cidermaking consultant for quite a long time.”
Barley & Sword Brewing’s taprooms are located at 800 West Grand Avenue in Escondido, and inside the CRAFT by Brewery Igniter facility at 3052 El Cajon Boulevard, Suite 102 in North Park