San Diego's Modern Times Beer, now owned by Maui Brewing Company, will soon close its flagship brewery and transition to contract brewing.
After a challenging few years following a devastating over-expansion, Modern Times announced to staff during a company wide meeting on Friday that the company has decided to shut down its original brewery in the Midway district of Point Loma, where it has operated since 2013. This move comes as part of a broader restructuring following a tumultuous period for the once-thriving San Diego craft brewery. At least 57 jobs will be cut as part of the impending closure.
In April 2022, following the closure of more than half its locations, Modern Times faced litigation from its lenders, leading to a court-ordered sale. During a June auction, Anaheim-based Brewery X initially won the bid for $20 million, over twice Maui Brewing's $7.62 million offer. However, in July 2022, Modern Times CEO Jennifer Briggs announced that Brewery X chose not to complete the sale, allowing Maui Brewing to acquire the company for $15.3 million.
Fast forward to the present and the San Diego brewery will permanently close its longtime home within the next couple months. Modern Times will then brew its beer on a contract basis with Alesmith Brewing in Miramar. The company will continue operating its North Park and Encinitas tasting rooms for the foreseeable future.
"When we set out to find a brewing partner, two things were non-negotiable – our commitment to quality and brewing Modern Times where the brand started and is the strongest – San Diego," commented Garrett W. Marrero, co-founder and CEO of Craft ‘Ohana, Maui Brewing's parent company. "AleSmith delivers on both of those for us. We’re excited to work with my good friend Peter and his team."
Modern Times experienced rapid expansion after founder Jacob McKean launched the company in 2013. In addition to being California's first employee-owned brewery, the craft brewery opened several locations across California and Oregon. However, the company's footprint has since dwindled to just three locations.
In 2014, Modern Times opened a North Park tasting room dubbed the Flavordome. The company then launched a downtown Los Angeles restaurant and tasting room named The Dankness Dojo, a tasting room and restaurant in Encinitas named 'The Far West Lounge', a full brewery operation in Portland, Oregon named 'The Belmont Fermentorium', the Invigatorium coffee shop in San Diego's East Village in partnership with Consortium Holdings, the Modern Times Academy of Recreational Sciences tasting room and restaurant in Santa Barbara, The House of Perpetual Refreshment in Oakland, and the gigantic Leisuretown project in Anaheim, CA.
In 2021, McKean resigned as CEO amid allegations of harassment and discrimination within the craft beer industry, with many accusations involving Modern Times. Jennifer Briggs, the former New Belgium Brewing executive, took over as CEO in January 2022. Despite her efforts to sell the company and cover its debts, the court eventually placed Modern Times under receivership, leading to its sale to Maui Brewing.
For more information on Modern Times and its remaining locations, visit moderntimesbeer.com.
In 2014, Modern Times opened a North Park tasting room dubbed the Flavordome. The company then launched a downtown Los Angeles restaurant and tasting room named The Dankness Dojo, a tasting room and restaurant in Encinitas named 'The Far West Lounge', a full brewery operation in Portland, Oregon named 'The Belmont Fermentorium', the Invigatorium coffee shop in San Diego's East Village in partnership with Consortium Holdings, the Modern Times Academy of Recreational Sciences tasting room and restaurant in Santa Barbara, The House of Perpetual Refreshment in Oakland, and the gigantic Leisuretown project in Anaheim, CA.
In 2021, McKean resigned as CEO amid allegations of harassment and discrimination within the craft beer industry, with many accusations involving Modern Times. Jennifer Briggs, the former New Belgium Brewing executive, took over as CEO in January 2022. Despite her efforts to sell the company and cover its debts, the court eventually placed Modern Times under receivership, leading to its sale to Maui Brewing.
For more information on Modern Times and its remaining locations, visit moderntimesbeer.com.
