Last September, Ataraxia Aleworks owners and longtime friends, Daren Rudy and Alex Kim, announced they were open to offers on their four-year-old Kearny Mesa business. They have since spoken with a number of individuals interested in purchasing their 2,000-square-foot brewery and tasting room (and are currently in talks with a handful of potential buyers) but have not yet finalized a deal. Despite not having a buyer, the duo – influenced by a force of nature – have decided that Saturday, March 8 will be their last day of business.
“Life chose the closing day for us to some extent,” says Kim. “I have a baby on the way that’s due in April. My wife and I wanted to make sure that our time was freed up in preparation for that life event. While there were plans for next steps in keeping the business going, that was the final deciding factor, and Daren and I agreed handing the keys over to someone else to start their own legacy was our best course of action at this time.”
Kim and Rudy are still welcoming inquiries on Ataraxia and feel a purchase of their turnkey facility would provide someone looking to get into the craft-beer industry everything they need to do so at what he deems “a heck of a deal”. Interested parties can reach Kim and Rudy via email.
Ataraxia opened two blocks west of Kearny Mesa thoroughfare Convoy Street in May of 2021. Designed as a zen sanctuary where all kinds of kinds could congregate and find peace and perhaps even some common ground over a shared love of beer, its owners worked hard to realize those goals by not only setting up a robust event calendar appealing to lovers of art, music and niche interests such as off-roading, but also striving to keep their prices low. Though rising costs of goods and a difficult economy made it particularly challenging to do the latter, Kim and Rudy are proud that they kept things affordable until the very end.
After spending seven years working for Ballast Point Brewing in preparation for opening his own brewery, Rudy is, as one would expect, proud of having produced quality beers at Ataraxia. But he’s just as proud of the role he played in helping build a quality community.
Creating a warm, inviting space was more fulfilling than I imagined, and we met people and cultivated friendships that will last for many years to come. On March 8, we want those people to bring their friends, family and readiness to enjoy some craft beverages. Come say goodbye and take some Ataraxia home with you.”
Daren Rudy, Co-founder & Head Brewer, Ataraxia Aleworks
Leading up to the final service, Rudy will brew fresh batches of Ataraxia flagships, including Cow Bell IPA, Pale McPaleface pale ale, The Great Deliverer porter, Keytar amber lager and Harambe Helles-style lager (a standard batch and another fruited with lime). All canned beers and to-go crowlers will be offered at a discount along with half-off merchandise.
“It’s been a life-changing four years here. So many memories, so much learned,” says Kim. “Knowing what we know now, we would do it all over again. We are just very grateful for all the things that happened in our lives because of this brewery and our decision to pursue a dream.”
Ataraxia Aleworks is located at 7292 Opportunity Road in Kearny Mesa