Government Shutdown Slows Opening of La Jolla Brewing Co.

The government shutdown may have ended, but that doesn’t mean that small businesses aren’t still feeling the effects. 

La Jolla Brewing Company, which originally expected to open in August, had their opening further delayed due to a halt on license approvals. 

Last month’s shutdown resulted in the closing of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which is responsible for approving new breweries, recipes and labels. As a result, owners at the future La Jolla Brewing Company on Fay Avenue had their license applications on hold, just like hundreds of other breweries across the United States.

Now that the shutdown has ended, La Jolla Brewing Company is back in line to have license transfers approved and expects to open shortly thereafter, though they are still not ready to give a firm opening date. In addition, extensive renovations on the property continue.

As La Jolla Patch reported in May, partners Phil Aitken, Leigh Gibson, Fred Gaston and Armando Lopez purchased what was formerly La Jolla Brewhouse. The team has spent the last several months rebuilding and rebranding the company. 

In addition to brewing about eight of their own beers, La Jolla Brewing Company will have 24 taps – an extensive sampling of the craft beers that are brewed exclusively in San Diego. Rather than be viewed as competition for staples like Karl Strauss or Stone Brewing Co., Aitken and his business partners hope that La Jolla Brewing Company will become known as an ambassador for all craft beer, and a place where local brewers will be proud to showcase their products.

In addition to offering a unique selection of beers, they plan to create a “high-end comfort food” menu with options that complement beer selections. To learn more, visit its Facebook page.