After winning well over a hundred awards for their homebrewed ales and lagers, Mike Nelson and Natallie Phillips decided to go pro. In doing so, they secured a spot off Ramona’s main drag, where they proceeded to build a brewhouse with their own four hands. It took a year, but that hard work paid off. Immediately after launching Smoking Cannon Brewery in 2017, the community responded, coming out in droves for the business’ mixture of traditional, rare and exotic beers, and packed live-entertainment calendar. Earlier this year, when deciding it was time to retire and follow through with another shared ambition of traveling the country, they put the business up for sale. It was their sincere hope that they would buyers who would share their passion for the brand, their regulars and all the things the latter loved about Smoking Cannon. They found just that in Eric and Cassie Goforth, a married couple with deep ties to the Ramona community. With a blend of experience working in the Air Force and the defense sector, and commitment to service running through their family, they were originally drawn to Smoking Cannon by its military-inspired identity. Now it’s all theirs and they’ve been hard at work ushering in a new era that honors what the brewery has been for the past eight years while making it their own. We caught up with the local suds scene’s newest entrants to find out more about them and their intentions for the business.
What inspired you to enter the beer industry and do so in Ramona?
Eric has always loved the science behind brewing and spent years as a passionate homebrewer. Meanwhile, I grew up in a beer-loving family and happily served as chief taste-tester. We’re both deeply invested in Ramona. We own Ramona Radio, a streaming radio station that showcases local musicians from all over San Diego County, and Eric founded the Ramona Flight Training Center. When we learned Ramona might lose its only brewery, we felt compelled to step in. After some soul-searching, we decided to take the leap and keep the taps flowing.
What do you love about Smoking Cannon Brewery?
It’s the perfect blend of craft and community. Mike’s beers are fantastic, the vibe is warm and welcoming, and it’s deeply rooted in Ramona. Natallie has done an amazing job fostering community engagement and we’re excited to continue that legacy while adding new layers, especially by weaving in our connections to the local music scene. Whether visitors are locals, road-trippers through the backcountry or making a special trip, Smoking Cannon is a special place where everyone can feel at home.
Will you keep the business as is, make changes or a mix of both?
A little of both. We’re keeping the heart of the brewery intact – fan-favorite beers like the Walker hazy IPA, Cyrus blonde ale and Bellona red ale aren’t going anywhere. We’ve made small upgrades like adding seat cushions and enhancing our sports-viewing setup. Friday open-mic nights and Saturday night live music will absolutely stay. It’s all about preserving what works while adding thoughtful touches.
Who will be brewing and how will they put their personal stamp on the beer lineup?
Eric will be taking on the brewmaster role. While we love experimenting, we’re especially drawn to well-crafted, traditional styles – think Pilsners, pale ales, Irish reds and stouts. Even before taking over, Eric collaborated with Mike to brew his own recipe, TBR, a smooth American pale ale named after a podcast we produce, The Travis Billy Ross Outlaw Country Show. It’s been well received across local taps and we plan to explore more of those crossover projects.
Do you plan to keep Smoking Cannon a small neighborhood spot or are there plans for growth?
Our focus is crafting great beer that Ramona can be proud of. We’re committed to keeping that neighborhood feel. And if demand grows beyond our taproom, we’re excited to explore where that momentum might lead.
Smoking Cannon Brewery is located at 780 Main Street, Suite I in Ramona