Mike Hess Brewing serves customers in North Park on January 13, while a county-wide on premise service ban remains in effect.
Peering in from the sunny sidewalk, my eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim light. Once they did, I found a room half filled with customers, belly up or seated at tables near the bar, most staring warily back at me over their pint glasses. A bartender quickly commented about the camera in my hand, poised to take a picture.
Officially, on premise beer service was still prohibited in San Diego County, but this local taproom continues to serve its public. And it’s far from the only one.
After spending approximately 10 months complying with county and state public health orders and restrictions, Mike Hess Brewing decided to reopen its San Diego locations for in-person services this week.
Updated on January 8, 2021 at 10:12 pm
A local brewery started serving in-person customers at three of its San Diego locations on Wednesday in defiance of public health orders.
Mike Hess Brewing, which is anchored by its North Park tasting room and brewery, also has sites in IB and OB, all of which were serving patrons this week, despite state and local public health orders. Under current restrictions, restaurants and breweries are only permitted to conduct to-go sales. Today, we are opening to the public and invite our friends and fans to come in and safely enjoy a well-crafted beer and conversation and exercise your rights as we exercise ours to a peaceful protest and assembly as we get America back to work, the company posted on its social media on Wednesday.
IMPERIAL BEACH (KUSI) – Wednesday is the first day Mike Hess Brewing Company will be open for dining services in defiance of Governor Gavin Newsom’s regional stay-at-home order. Mike Hess Brewing has joined forced with over two hundred other local businesses, being represented by Attorney Michael Curran, who are remaining open as part of a peaceful protest against Newsom’s order.