Thorn Brewing, a well-known San Diego brewery with locations in North Park and Barrio Logan, has been acquired by Latitude 33 Brewing Company, which was founded in Vista.
The acquisition of Thorn Brewing by Latitude Brewing LLC (parent co of Latitude 33 Brewing) aims to strengthen both brands' market presence in the increasingly competitive craft beer industry, while maintaining their distinct identities and customer bases. Latitude 33, known for its hop-forward beers and innovative brews, views this acquisition as a strategic move to expand its reach into central and southern San Diego. Thorn Brewing, with its focus on community and neighborhood taprooms, will continue operating its existing locations under the Thorn brand, while benefiting from the resources and distribution channels provided by Latitude 33.
While specific terms of the deal have not been disclosed, both companies are optimistic about the future. Latitude 33 plans to invest in enhancing production capabilities at Thorn’s facilities, further expanding both brands’ product lines and community presence in the coming years. Thorn's production facility and taprooms will remain under ownership of TSB2 LLC (previous parent co of Thorn Brewing) and continue operating under a brand licensing agreement.
Founded in the brewery space that previously served as Green Flash Brewing's original facility in Vista in March 2012 by brewmaster Kevin Buckley (formerly of Alpine Beer Co. and Back Street Brewery), Latitude 33 has grown to be one of San Diego's more popular breweries due to the success of its Blood Orange IPA. Entrepreneur Mike Ingram took over the craft beer company in 2014. Latitude 33 was previously slated to open a downtown San Diego tasting room on base floor of the InterContinental Hotel directly across the street from the San Diego Bay, but that location is now occupied by Protector Brewery.
In December 2019, news broke of the sale of Latitude 33 Brewing's Vista brewery to Local Roots Kombucha. Latitude 33 then entered into a craft beer alliance with Green Flash Brewing and Alpine Brewing and began contract brewing at the Green Flash Miramar facility, migrating its headquarters to the Whiptail Loop Distribution Center.
Dennis O'Connor, Dan Carrico and Eric O'Connor started Thorn Street Brewery at 3176 Thorn Street in North Park in 2012 after previously using the space as an experimental playground for home brewers. In 2017, Thorn Street Brewery took over the industrial warehouse at 1735 National Avenue in the Barrio Logan neighborhood, which previously housed the ambitious San Diego Public Market, and opened a sprawling 21,00 square foot brewhouse that now housed a several dining concepts, as well as an onsite spirits brand, Rebru Spirits, and Long Ball Hard Iced Tea. With the expansion from the company's flagship Thorn Street location, ownership changed the brewery's name to Thorn Brewing Company and also launched a tasting room in Mission Hills, which is reportedly in the process of becoming the first taking room for Longball.
It is rumored that there was recently a huge shakeup within Thorn Brewing ownership, resulting in the ousting of at least one of the founding members. Thorn's five year old spirits brand, Rebru Spirits, is believed to be no more following the sale to Latitude 33.
The recent acquisition reflects the growing trend of consolidation within the craft beer industry, as breweries seek to scale operations, reduce costs, and compete with larger regional and national brands. Thorn Brewing’s leadership believes the partnership will allow them to maintain the quality and uniqueness of their beer while reaching new customers across a wider geographic area.
