In 2017, five years after debuting as Thorn Street Brewery in a smallish spot in North Park, Thorn Brewing grew by leaps and bounds, constructing a large production facility equipped with a 30-barrel brewhouse in a 10,500-square-foot building on the north side of Barrio Logan. It was a big step forward based on fast-rising demand for its largely hoppy portfolio of core and seasonal beers.
Over the past eight years, the venue has played host to a variety of artistic, cultural and entertainment-based events and, in addition to manufacturing beers for Thorn and numerous contract-brewing clients, has served as a launching pad for businesses such as Kové Beverages and ReBru Spirits. The facility has served Thorn well, but the company’s days there are numbered following the sale of the building by its owner.
Thorn co-founder Dan Carrico and his team are in the process of listing all of the facility’s equipment for sale as they work to vacate and make room for the building’s new owners, a manufacturing operation based in Mexico. He expects the move-out to take a few months and plans to keep the Barrio Logan tasting room open to the public through February.
Last September, Thorn’s ownership group, TSB2 LLC, sold the company’s brand rights, name and trademarks to local entity, Latitude Brewing LLC, the parent company of 12-year-old Latitude 33 Brewing. Latitude Brewing President Mike Ingram says production of Thorn’s beers has been allocated to his company’s production partners, which should ensure zero ostensible change in consumers’ access to or ability to purchase them at retail.
Following the move-out, TSB2 LLC will be able to continue operating its original tasting room in North Park under the Thorn banner as part of a pre-established brand-licensing agreement with Latitude Brewing.
Thorn Brewing is located at 1745 National Avenue in Barrio Logan, and Thorn Street Brewery is located at 3176 Thorn Street in North Park