Resident Brewing was founded by James Langley, Scott Dickson, and Robert Masterson in 2016 in downtown San Diego. Masterson, a homebrewer turned professional, earned acclaim in 2013 by winning Stone Brewing Co.’s Homebrew Competition with his coconut IPA. This award-winning recipe helped define Resident’s ethos of creating thoughtful, memorable beers.
The brewery launched as an extension of The Local, a downtown San Diego bar and restaurant co-owned by Langley. The adjoining 1,700-square-foot space served as Resident's brewing facility, with The Local doubling as its tasting room. Over the years, Resident Brewing became known for its creative brews, such as the coconut-infused Vacation IPA.
This past summer, Resident expanded southward with the opening of its first satellite tasting room, Resident Village House, in Chula Vista. Housed in the space previously occupied by Third Avenue Alehouse, the new location offered a bright, welcoming space for enjoying Resident’s beers in the heart of the city’s bustling Third Avenue district.
In its farewell announcement, Resident Brewing emphasized gratitude for the memories made and the support of its patrons over the years. The brewery highlighted milestones such as participating in beer festivals, toasting coconut for its first batch of Vacation, and adapting to challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering home delivery.
The brewery launched as an extension of The Local, a downtown San Diego bar and restaurant co-owned by Langley. The adjoining 1,700-square-foot space served as Resident's brewing facility, with The Local doubling as its tasting room. Over the years, Resident Brewing became known for its creative brews, such as the coconut-infused Vacation IPA.
This past summer, Resident expanded southward with the opening of its first satellite tasting room, Resident Village House, in Chula Vista. Housed in the space previously occupied by Third Avenue Alehouse, the new location offered a bright, welcoming space for enjoying Resident’s beers in the heart of the city’s bustling Third Avenue district.
In its farewell announcement, Resident Brewing emphasized gratitude for the memories made and the support of its patrons over the years. The brewery highlighted milestones such as participating in beer festivals, toasting coconut for its first batch of Vacation, and adapting to challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering home delivery.
Despite the closure, Resident Village House in Chula Vista will remain open through the weekend, offering $5 pours and discounts on merchandise and remaining bottles. The team also expressed concern for their staff, encouraging those in the industry to consider hiring their talented employees.
Resident Brewing's closure is part of a broader downward trend affecting craft breweries nationwide and especially in San Diego. Economic pressures, shifting consumer habits, and increased competition have created hurdles for many small and mid-sized breweries. The announcement called attention to the struggles many breweries face, urging the community to support their local craft beer establishments.
The closure of Resident Brewing Company also signifies the apparent full collapse of Empress Capital Investments, a once-thriving San Diego hospitality group. At its peak, Empress Capital operated a variety of well-regarded establishments, including multiple Wokou Ramen & Yakitori locations, California Native in Del Mar Highlands Town Center, Hen House in Pacific Beach's Crown Point, Crafted Culture in Point Loma and Sabre Springs, Leap Coffee in Escondido, and two Death By Tequila branches. Over time, these businesses shuttered amidst a challenging hospitality landscape, leaving Resident Brewing as the last vestige of Empress Capital's presence in the region before its recent closure.
For those wishing to bid farewell, Resident Village House is located at 319 Third Avenue in Chula Vista. For more information, visit residentbrewing.com and see the announcement below.
Originally published on January 3, 2025.
