The move, announced this week, positions Latitude 33 alongside Boochcraft Organic Hard Kombucha and Mission Brewing at the elevated outdoor beer garden, adding a new chapter to the Sky Deck’s evolving culinary landscape at Del Mar Highlands Town Center.
The Brewers Deck, a scenic patio overlooking Del Mar Highlands Town Center in Carmel Valley, has been a draw for craft beer fans since its debut in 2021, offering 18 taps and communal seating where patrons can order from Sky Deck’s nine restaurants via a single tab. Northern Pine, a co-founder of the space alongside Rough Draft Brewing and Boochcraft, helped establish the deck as a community hub, known for its kid- and dog-friendly vibe.
The Brewers Deck, a scenic patio overlooking Del Mar Highlands Town Center in Carmel Valley, has been a draw for craft beer fans since its debut in 2021, offering 18 taps and communal seating where patrons can order from Sky Deck’s nine restaurants via a single tab. Northern Pine, a co-founder of the space alongside Rough Draft Brewing and Boochcraft, helped establish the deck as a community hub, known for its kid- and dog-friendly vibe.
Rough Draft’s departure in 2024 - replaced by Mission Brewing - paved the way for this latest transition, with Latitude 33 stepping in to fill Northern Pine's slot. The Sky Deck, part of a $120 million redevelopment of the Del Mar Highlands since 2019, remains a gastronomic destination with its maritime-industrial design and eclectic dining and beverage options, which includes Ambrogio15, Craft House, Glass Box, Kiin Extraordinary Thai, Parfair Paris, Marufuku Ramen, Urbana Mexican Gastronomy, Zen Modern Asian Bistro, and the central Understory bar.
Latitude 33, founded in Vista in 2012 by brewmaster Kevin Buckley, brings its signature hop-forward beers to the deck, including the fan-favorite Blood Orange IPA, which helped propel the brewery to prominence. Under entrepreneur Mike Ingram, who took over in 2014, the company has navigated the craft beer industry’s challenges with strategic moves. In 2019, Latitude 33 sold its Vista brewery to Local Roots Kombucha, shifting production to Green Flash Brewing's Miramar facility through a craft beer alliance with Green Flash and Alpine Brewing. The brewery now operates its headquarters at the Whiptail Loop Distribution Center in Vista, where it also maintains a tasting room and small pilot system.
The Sky Deck takeover follows Latitude 33's recent acquisition of Thorn Brewing in September 2024, a move that expanded its footprint into central and southern San Diego. Thorn, with taprooms in North Park and Barrio Logan, continues to operate under its brand while benefiting from Latitude 33's distribution network. The Brewers Deck addition marks another step in Latitude 33's growth, bringing its beers - known for their bold flavors like Honey Hips blonde - to a high-traffic venue. The brewery had previously been slated for a downtown San Diego tasting room at the InterContinental Hotel, a plan that fell through and is now occupied by Protector Brewery.
The transition at Brewers Deck comes amid a broader trend of consolidation in San Diego’s craft beer scene, with over 100 brewery-owned venues navigating rising costs and competition. Northern Pine continues to operate its flagship brewery in Oceanside at 326 N. Horne St., open Wednesday through Sunday.
The Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands is located at 12925 El Camino Real in San Diego's North County community of Carmel Valley. For more on Latitude 33, visit latitude33brewing.com. Details on Sky Deck are available at delmarhighlandstowncenter.com/skydeck.
The Sky Deck takeover follows Latitude 33's recent acquisition of Thorn Brewing in September 2024, a move that expanded its footprint into central and southern San Diego. Thorn, with taprooms in North Park and Barrio Logan, continues to operate under its brand while benefiting from Latitude 33's distribution network. The Brewers Deck addition marks another step in Latitude 33's growth, bringing its beers - known for their bold flavors like Honey Hips blonde - to a high-traffic venue. The brewery had previously been slated for a downtown San Diego tasting room at the InterContinental Hotel, a plan that fell through and is now occupied by Protector Brewery.
The transition at Brewers Deck comes amid a broader trend of consolidation in San Diego’s craft beer scene, with over 100 brewery-owned venues navigating rising costs and competition. Northern Pine continues to operate its flagship brewery in Oceanside at 326 N. Horne St., open Wednesday through Sunday.
The Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands is located at 12925 El Camino Real in San Diego's North County community of Carmel Valley. For more on Latitude 33, visit latitude33brewing.com. Details on Sky Deck are available at delmarhighlandstowncenter.com/skydeck.
Originally published on April 9, 2025.
