Over the past few months, local beer fans have been inundated with news of brewing companies shuttering locations or closing altogether. The last week of December was particularly brutal, with four San Diego County venues – Border X Brewing, Oceanside Ale Works, Rouleur Brewing and Bolt Brewery’s headquarters – holding final services before bidding their fans farewell. But for some brewery owners, the dawn of a new year seems to have brought newfound hope that, despite their goodbyes, they may very well be back.
On December 26, Bolt owners Clint and Molly Stromberg took to Bolt’s social-media accounts to inform fans that they would be shuttering their home base of a decade in La Mesa. It wasn’t shocking news, as the combination brewery and beer garden had been on the market since August. Though numerous local brewing companies had inquired about taking over the space, with one getting close before a deal fell through, the location remains on the market.
The closure of Bolt’s HQ did not signal the end of the business itself, though it will spell a big change for the company. With the La Mesa facility closed and the Strombergs having no intention to shift to contract-brewing, sister location turned flagship, Bolt Brewery Little Italy Eatery and Tasting Room, will no longer serve Bolt beer. Instead, the venue will offer a list of ales and lagers from other local beer operations.
While they are currently embracing this new model, the Strombergs reserve the right to change their minds and explore the idea of having another brewery produce their beers for them. They say there is also the possibility that they may go back to utilizing their La Mesa brewery, perhaps even opening it back up to the public, even though, at this time, they can’t foresee a set of circumstances that would inspire them to do so.
Meanwhile, in Barrio Logan, it appears David Favela, the owner of 11-year-old Latino-owned Border X Brewing, which closed on December 31, may be making headway in his efforts to extend his lease on the taproom he’s operated for the past nine years. In November, when announcing that his business was nearing its end and the launch of a crowdfunding campaign to help save it, Favela cited issues with his landlord. On January 4, he returned to social media to report that lease-extension negotiations are ongoing and that the probability of getting a deal done is improving.
Up north in Oceanside, the city’s first-ever craft brewery held what was billed in some circles as a going-away party, but billed publicly as a final service before Oceanside Ale Works “closed for January”. January is the slowest month for beer sales as consumers curb their spending and seek to make more health-conscious choices following the indulgent holiday season, so closing a small business that makes all its money from alcohol sales is not out of the realm of possibility.
It remains to be seen whether Oceanside Ale Works will build on its 18 years of service to its namesake community, but when reached for comment, owner Mark Purciel said there wasn’t any news to report. At least not yet.