Driving through downtown Ramona, one could easily miss its sole beermaking operation, but it’s been a fixture for the rural northeast county berg for eight years. In addition to a wide range of beers running the gamut from historically obscure to outlandishly adjuncted (a number of which have combined to amass 25 medals at professional brewing competitions), Smoking Cannon Brewery is known for festive live-music nights that pack locals in on the regular, thanks in part to the Ramona Music Alliance. Not bad for a sidestreet operation run by a couple whose only previous experience was homebrewing.
“We have enjoyed every minute of owning Smoking Cannon Brewery. We have loved meeting fabulous families, homebrewers and wonderful musicians, as well as repeat visitors from other states,” says Natallie Phillips, who co-founded Smoking Cannon with her longtime partner Mike Nelson in 2017. “We’re also proud to be Ramona’s only brewery. The community has been so supportive of us, but now it’s time for us to pass the baton so we can retire, travel and visit family that now live in other states.”
Smoking Cannon totals 1,900 square feet. The brewery comes in at 375 square feet and includes a three-barrel electrical system, while the tasting room is 1,080 square feet with a 14-tap bar. In addition to Smoking Cannon, Phillips is also selling her beauty salon of 24 years, Artistry in Hair, which is located in the same building but does not connect to the brewery. Each business is for sale separately.
While Phillips and Nelson are excited to start the R&R chapter of their lives together, they are proud of what they have built and want to see certain aspects of it carry on. In particular, Phillips says she hopes whoever takes over the business will maintain a similar music schedule, sharing that the artists who have performed there for years would like to continue doing so.
“I would like to thank our local restaurants for carrying our beer and supporting our brewery, and El Michoacan for delivering their wonderful food to our customers from next-door,” says Phillips. “I would especially like to thank other breweries who spread the love by recommending us to their guests. The craft-beer industry is so kind to one another. It’s a wonderful family to have been a part of.”
Phillips and Nelson invite interested parties to reach out to them via email.
Smoking Cannon Brewery is located at 780 Main Street, Suite I in Ramona