Earlier today, the husband-wife owners of Bagby Beer Co. took to social media to announce that, following years of struggles to keep the business going amid a pandemic and disadvantageous economy, they have sold the business.
“It shouldn’t come as big news to anyone that restaurants have been absolutely gutted throughout Covid – but also in the years that have succeeded it,” owners Jeff and Dande Bagby communicated via the business’ social-media account. “We’ve struggled to find our way back and with a spot as large and complex as ours, we now know this effort exceeds our own abilities and our emotional, psychological, and financial fortitude.”
What the couple identifies as a positive path forward, both for themselves and local beer fans, is finding another high-quality brewing operation with Southern California roots to take over their brewpub. That operation is Green Cheek Beer Co., an Orange-based outfit popular for its hop-forward beers.
In addition to bringing objectively good beer to a venue known for it, Green Cheek’s ownership plans to retain as many of Bagby’s staff members as possible, provided they are willing to stay aboard.
“We whole-heartedly hope you will support the incoming and transitioning Green Cheek team,” say the Bagbys. “We think you will enjoy their fun, creative, top-quality operation. We are truly optimistic about what is next and could not imagine better folks taking the reins.”
Bagby Beer opened in 2014 to great fanfare based on its namesake brewmaster’s stellar reputation as an award-winning brewer for local brewpub chain Pizza Port. Over his time with that company, Bagby became the most awarded individual at the country’s most prestigious professional brewing competition, the Great American Beer Festival, a title he has maintained since opening his own business.
Bagby also made a name for himself by brewing less-popular Old World styles from Belgium, German and the United Kingdom at a time when IPA and trendy styles were king. He stuck to his guns even though it likely resulted in diminished sales and popularity among craft fans, particularly those of a younger demographic.
Sited in a former BMW dealership and coming in at roughly 9,000 total square feet, the brewpub is large and split into numerous individual areas, including a pair of downstairs and upstairs dining room, a shaded lower patio, upstairs balcony, private-event area and brewery with a bar connected to it. The abundant space and its unique layout made it an ideal location for beer events both intimate an large, including Bagby Beer’s yearly lager festival and the annual Brewbies festival benefitting the Keep-A-Breast Foundation.
According to the Bagbys, they will hand over the keys to the owners of Green Cheek at the end of the month, who are projected to reopen the brewpub under their flag sometime in the first quarter of 2024. Both Dande and Jeff will remain on board to help with the business transition, with the latter brewing beers for Green Cheek at the brewpub in the short term.
For the rest of the month, Bagby will remain open. Its hours of operation are noon to close Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to close on Sundays.
Bagby Beer is located at 601 Coast Highway in Oceanside