The team behind San Diego's Bottlecraft bottle shop & bar concept is gearing up to open an Old World-style pub and eatery called Bock Bar in the longtime Hamilton's Tavern space in South Park.
In November 2020, a fire devastated Hamilton’s Tavern, a popular craft-beer destination for 14 years, as well as neighboring South Park Brewing Company. Both concepts ultimately confirmed they would not be reopening, despite raising over $16,000 via two separate GoFundMe campaigns. They were each owned by Scot Donovan Blair, who was named several times in damning accusations on Brienne Allan's viral @RatMagnet Instagram posts that took the craft beer industry by storm in 2021. He has since moved to the east coast.
After the Hamilton's Tavern property owner sought proposals for a new concept at the location, Brian Jensen, known for his Bottlecraft chain of craft beer bars and Vino Carta Wine Store, was selected to take over the site. Jensen's plan for the space, named "Bock," focuses on providing a curated selection of quality ales and lagers, with an emphasis on classic European styles alongside contemporary brews.
Bock, which translates to "goat" and references a German lager style, aims to be an intimate neighborhood pub. In addition to a balanced beer list flowing from 30-40 tap handles, it will feature German, Austrian, and Alpine wines, as well as mead, cider, hard seltzer, and kombucha. Bock will also offer entertainment, including pool, shuffleboard, and showcase a selection of local and international sports.
Although Bock's opening has been delayed due to significant fire and water damage, along with necessary building repairs, Jensen remains focused on bringing the project to life. The venue is now expected to open early next year. In the meantime, Jensen has refined the design and found a culinary partner, Matt Schooner, whose food truck, Biersal, specializes in German-inspired cuisine.
Bock, which translates to "goat" and references a German lager style, aims to be an intimate neighborhood pub. In addition to a balanced beer list flowing from 30-40 tap handles, it will feature German, Austrian, and Alpine wines, as well as mead, cider, hard seltzer, and kombucha. Bock will also offer entertainment, including pool, shuffleboard, and showcase a selection of local and international sports.
Although Bock's opening has been delayed due to significant fire and water damage, along with necessary building repairs, Jensen remains focused on bringing the project to life. The venue is now expected to open early next year. In the meantime, Jensen has refined the design and found a culinary partner, Matt Schooner, whose food truck, Biersal, specializes in German-inspired cuisine.
Schooner's menu for Bock will include items like a Bamberger burger with pork belly, Muenster cheese, arugula, caramelized onion aioli and house ketchup on a kaiser roll; chicken Schnitzel sandwich with buttermilk-marinated pan-fried chicken breast served on a brioche bun with avocado and lime aioli, butter lettuce and pickled red onion; Currywurst sandwich featuring German pork sausage with house curry ketchup, pickled red onion, crispy fried onion rings and curry powder; a vegan zucchini falafel sandwich; and a beef and lamb kebab sandwich, to name a few. The food will be designed to pair well with the beer selection and work beer into the recipes whenever possible. The food program will maintain a strong German influence while incorporating flavors from other beer-centric cultures, including California cuisine.
While the Hamilton's Tavern unit will become Bock, the 1,600 square-foot space that last housed South Park Brewing will become a new area outpost of Pop Pie Co. and Stella Jean's Ice Cream. Like other branches, expect an array of savory and sweet pies, side dishes, coffee drinks, and a lineup of house-made ice cream.
Bock is expected to open in first quarter 2025 at 1517 30th Street in San Diego's South Park community. For more information, visit bockbar.com.
