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).
10. Modern Times’ owner shares details about AleSmith partnership and more
Saturday, September 7
It was big news when Craft ‘Ohana owner Garrett Marrero announced he would be closing the Point Loma brewery for acquired brand Modern Times Beer and transitioning it to a contract-brewing model in partnership with Miramar’s AleSmith Brewing. We were the first to interview Marrero on the subject and provide a plethora of details on what was one of the biggest brewing-industry stories of the year.
9. Ballast Point moving on from Miramar
Monday, June 3
Following years of struggling to restore once-thriving San Diego stalwart Ballast Point Brewing after purchasing the business from previous owner, Constellation Brands, the owners of Kings & Convicts Brewing announced they would be moving out of the company’s 107,000-square-foot Miramar headquarters as they searched for a new, smaller place to call home. The announcement was made as a deal was finalized for Athletic Brewing to acquire the facility.
8. Opening up about closing down Rouleur Brewing
Thursday, December 12
After fighting the good fight the past few years, shifting his business plan numerous times in an effort to solve the puzzle that is today’s marketplace, the owner of Carlsbad’s beer-and-cycling haven, Rouleur Brewing, announced he had no other option but to cease operations. In doing so, he dug deep to provide craft-beer fans valuable insights while letting his contemporaries know they’re not alone and their efforts to build and maintain quality businesses are not wasted even in these trying times.
7. Stone Brewing co-founder Greg Koch talks Sapporo and more
Wednesday, October 2
Two years after the man who said he would never sell his business, did just that, selling Escondido-based Stone Brewing to Sapporo USA, craft-beer trailblazer Greg Koch finally felt comfortable enough to open up about that earth-shaking development. In doing so, he shared his perspectives on how the brewing industry has changed, what he was able to accomplish while helming Stone, what his life is like now and if he harbors any regrets.
6. Home Brew Mart under new management
Wednesday, May 22
Before announcing its downsizing plan, Kings & Convicts embarked upon it by selling the retail establishment that birthed Ballast Point, Morena’s Home Brew Mart, to a former employee who once managed it and continues to harbor deep affection for it. In this article, he shared plans to rightsize the business and get that historical site back to its former glory while keeping on its longtime staffers and honoring all it has meant to so many over the past three-plus decades.
Click here to see which of this year’s news stories ranked 11-15