On May 11, Half Door Brewing closed its doors for good after a decade of serving San Diego’s craft beer enthusiasts in a charming two-story house located near Petco Park.
The brewpub was well-loved in the East Village, particularly popular among Padres fans looking to grab a drink before games.
But not long after its closure, the space was swiftly acquired by Villains Brewing, a relatively new player in the beer scene, originally based in Anaheim.
This acquisition is part of a growing trend of out-of-town brewing companies entering the San Diego market, a property that has seen an uptick in interest from breweries outside the city.
In fact, since the beginning of 2023, eight new breweries have entered the San Diego market, six of them from Orange County alone.
Isaias Hernandez, co-founder of Villains’ parent company, Smoke & Fire hospitality group, expressed the allure of San Diego to brewers.
“When you take a trip to San Diego, you fall in love – especially if you’re a beer person,” he said, referencing the city’s appeal to craft beer lovers.
In February, Hernandez learned about Half Door Brewing’s impending closure, and upon visiting the space, he saw an ideal location for expansion for Villains, which has been growing rapidly since its inception just two years ago.
Villains is not just another venture; Hernandez and his team are reevaluating the space with plans to remodel the interiors to match their vision while also celebrating the historic elements of downtown San Diego and paying homage to the Padres.
Although Duan and his team are based in Orange County, they are making a concerted effort to connect with locals and integrate into the competitive craft beer community of San Diego.
“The city you think of as the capital of craft beer,” noted Russell Lee, Smoke & Fire co-owner, highlighting the enthusiasm surrounding their move into the area.
With a growing number of Orange County breweries setting up in San Diego, Villains Brewing joins notable colleagues in the sector.
For instance, Green Cheek Beer Co., renowned for its hoppy brews, made a significant leap by taking over Bagby Beer Co., a well-known brewpub located in Oceanside, at the start of 2024.
Being an established name in the craft beer scene, Green Cheek faced risks when expanding into a competitive market like San Diego, but their strong reputation and successful track record encouraged this venture.
“Our expansion into San Diego County came down to strategic growth and personal drive,” said CEO Brian Rauso.
The company, co-founded by Rauso and brewing partner Evan Price, has personal connections to the city, which further fueled their desire to plant roots in San Diego.
Price reflects on his career in San Diego and the collaborative relationships he has built within the local beer community.
Similarly, Trevor Walls, co-founder of Brewery X, has deep ties to San Diego and considers their entry into the market as a homecoming, rather than a foreign invasion.
With years of experience working for established breweries such as Ballast Point and Pizza Port, Walls leads Brewery X into a new generator in the craft beer scene by establishing high-profile taprooms in strategic locations.
Brewery X expanded their influence significantly by launching a taproom at the Sheraton San Diego Resort on Harbor Island.
“We never felt like we were entering from the outside. For us it was more of an ‘it’s good to be back’ approach,” said Walls, reflecting on their strategy of tapping into their roots while growing their brand.
Artifex Brewing, based in San Clemente, demonstrates a similar commitment to tie-ins with San Diego by opening a new satellite taproom in Oceanside this year.
Established breweries across both San Diego and surrounding counties aim to reinforce their roots in this dynamic market. Meanwhile, newer businesses like Tarantula Hill Brewing of Thousand Oaks are also making their mark by taking over existing breweries.
San Diego County has seen a surge in brewery closures over the past two years, leading to numerous vacancies for new enterprises to consider.
The situation presents an opportunity for out-of-town breweries to enter a competitive market that still holds a legendary status for craft beer enthusiasts.
Walls, whose Brewery X already had a presence in San Diego through distribution prior to their official opening, shared insights on brand evolution post-entry.
“After a year of operation, the brand recognition and reputation among San Diego beer drinkers has increased dramatically,” said Walls.
Similar sentiments are echoed by the founders of Green Cheek, who celebrate their early successes in what they describe as a golden opportunity to connect with a passionate consumer base.
“It’s been especially exciting to see how quickly the local beer community here has embraced us,” said Rauso, as they continue to build rapport with San Diego beer lovers.
As new players enter San Diego County’s craft beer scene, the trend appears sanguine for both newcomers and established firms.
While the history of San Diego breweries primarily features local expansions, the entry of new players from Orange County signals a shift that could redefine the competitive landscape.
Companies like Ballast Point and Karl Strauss have also established themselves outside San Diego County in places like Anaheim and Corona.
Yet with eight new entrants making their mark in San Diego, industry experts wonder if this trend will see a slowdown in the near future.
Rauso remains optimistic, suggesting that the appeal of San Diego as a craft beer destination continues to thrive.
“This trend underscores the region’s enduring appeal as a premier destination for craft brewing,” he noted.
He believes the synergy between both incoming and established breweries is enhancing San Diego County’s reputation, promising consumers an evolving and increasingly diverse beer experience.
As the craft beer landscape of San Diego continues to shift, it will be fascinating to witness how established brands and newcomers alike navigate the complexities of this vibrant community.
image source from：https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/05/27/why-out-of-town-brewing-companies-are-coming-to-san-diego/
