Now owned by Maui Brewing Company, Modern Times will shift its brewing operations to a contract model, working with AleSmith Brewing in Miramar to continue producing its beers The decision to permanently close the Point Loma brewery, which has been a mainstay since Modern Times launched in 2013, comes after several years of financial challenges, including over-expansion, significant downsizing, and eventual acquisition by Maui Brewing. The closure is part of a larger restructuring plan aimed at consolidating operations, and with it, nearly 60 jobs have been cut.
Modern Times has undergone a whirlwind of changes since its early days as one of California's pioneering employee-owned breweries. In April 2022, following the closure of more than half of its locations, the company faced legal and financial difficulties that resulted in a court-ordered sale. After an initial auction bid from Brewery X fell through, Maui Brewing ultimately acquired the company in July 2022 for $15.3 million.
With the closure of the Point Loma location, Modern Times will now focus on operating its last remaining tasting rooms in North Park and Encinitas. Founded by Jacob McKean, Modern Times experienced rapid growth after its launch, expanding to multiple locations across California and Oregon. During its peak, the San Diego craft brewery operated a restaurant and tasting room in downtown Los Angeles, a full brewery operation in Portland, Oregon, 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.
Following financial challenges and a series of closures, the brewery's presence has been reduced to just two tasting rooms. Today's permanent closure of the Point Loma brewery marks the end of an era for the brand and its loyal San Diego following. The partnership with AleSmith ensures that Modern Times beers will still be brewed locally in San Diego, staying true to the brand's origins and commitment to quality.
For more information on Modern Times and its remaining locations, visit moderntimesbeer.com.
Originally published on November 10, 2024.