The past 12 months represent one of the most dynamically news-packed years for the San Diego County brewing industry that I’ve seen in my 18 years of covering this beat. There were highs and lows, twists and turns, openings and closings, and so much more. Through it all, San Diego Beer News’ readers were incredibly engaged. As is our tradition, we are closing out the year by counting down the 25 news stories that resonated most with all of you (minus stories about beer-competition results and popular features such as our beer-centric travel pieces, Portrait of a Brewer and Praising the Bar).
5. The Lost Abbey making cross-town move
Wednesday, September 11
In January, The Lost Abbey expanded on their manufacturing-based tenancy with Vista’s Mother Earth Brew Co., opening a shared tasting room stocked with beers and branding from both operations. While an agreeable situation, founder Tomme Arthur kept searching for a facility ideally suited for his business, eventually finding it in Eppig Brewing’s south Vista HQ, a brewery and tasting room managed by Mason Ale Works’ parent company.
4. Fox Point Brewing opens as part of farm-to-table community
Wednesday, July 17
This summer, Encinitas welcomed its first brewery in 30 years, a small yet state-of-the-art facility that’s a cornerstone of a sustainability-focused residential community called Fox Point Farms. Beers from namesake Fox Point Brewing are only available at the source and include a number of ales and lagers infused with fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers and other items grown at an on-site 5.5-acre farm, making for a farm-to-table operation unique to San Diego County.
3. Ebullition Brew Works closes
Monday, January 29
Though a little-known operation outside its immediate North County environs and despite the fact ownership had shut down the business’ Vista brewery the previous year, the closure of seven-year-old Ebullition Brew Works’ remaining bar and restaurant in Carlsbad resonated with its fans. When the news broke, ownership took to social media to assert the business would live on, and it appears they have opened a pub and grill in Temecula.
2. Karl Strauss to close North County location
Monday, August 5
The third-most engaging story of 2023 was Karl Strauss Brewing opening an all-outdoor beer garden called “The Outpost” in San Marcos, years after securing land on which to construct a location with an R&D brewery. The second-most engaging story of 2024 was the announcement that the company would be closing that venue after it underperformed due to myriad reasons, including lack of protection from high-temperature, cold and inclement weather.
1. Pizza Port San Marcos opening to the public
Wednesday, April 17
When the ownership structure for The Lost Abbey was dissolved in 2023, co-founders Gina and Vince Marsaglia took over the San Marcos facility that had housed the business, converting it into a brewery for their primary business, Pizza Port. Months later, they announced the impending debut of a public tasting room that, in addition to offering the company’s wide-ranging array of beers, would eventually feature the brewpub chain’s first-ever food truck.
Click here to see which of this year’s news stories ranked 6-10