Brouwerij West, San Pedro’s waterfront craft brewery, says goodbye this weekend
When Brouwerij West opened its big doors nine years ago, it was the place to go.
With specialty craft brews, a historic port warehouse setting, and live music, karaoke and dance contests, the craft brewery caught a popularity wave that looked promising for years to come.
And now, the brewery is set to close its doors for the final time on Sunday, March 2, after multiple farewell events.
The reasons for the closure are multiple, including more competition, higher costs and declining consumer demand. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t help, forcing a marketing adjustment to remote delivery orders.
Brouwerij West in San Pedro will close on Sunday, March 2, 2025, after operating for 9 years in a World War II warehouse at 110 E. 22nd St. in San Pedro. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Brouwerij West co-owners plan closing festivities this weekend at 110 E. 22nd St., San Pedro. The popular brewery opened nine years ago in a World War II warehouse and quickly became popular. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Brouwerij West in San Pedro closes this weekend. The final day is Sunday, March 2, 2025, with doors opening at noon. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Brouwerij West in San Pedro which opened 9 years ago is closing its doors for a “final pour” Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Brouwerij West in San Pedro which opened in February 2016 is closing its doors Sunday March 2, 2025. Saturday, March 1, from 4-10 p.m., a farewell party will be held. On Sunday, March 2, the doors open at noon for the final day. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Brouwerij West in San Pedro is closing this weekend. which opened 9 years ago is closing its tasting room Sunday Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Dogs were welcome in the outdoor seating at Brouwerij West in San Pedro which opened nine years ago is closing its doors on Sunday, March 2, 2025. A farewell party from 4-10 p.m. Saturday, March 1, is free but “at capacity,” via RSVPs, though people are welcome to come by to check on admission availability. Sunday, March 2, the doors open at noon for the final day. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Brouwerij West in San Pedro which opened 9 years ago is closing its doors Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Brouwerij West in San Pedro opened nine years ago but due to market headwinds will close its doors on Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Brouwerij West in San Pedro will host farewell festivities this weekend. Closing day is Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Brouwerij West, a craft brewery located in a WWII Navy warehouse for nearly a decade, is hoping for a holiday miracle as it faces likely closure in a couple months. Changing social habits, shifting consumer preferences, and rising costs have made it otherwise impossible to continue, co-owner owners Brian Mercer and Dave Holop said. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Brouwerij West, a craft brewery located in a WWII Navy warehouse for nearly a decade, is hoping for a holiday miracle as it faces likely closure in a couple months. Changing social habits, shifting consumer preferences, and rising costs have made it otherwise impossible to continue, co-owner owners Dave Holop, left, and Brian Mercer said. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
The Harbor Animal Care Center had a pet adoption event Sunday May 1, 2016 at the Brouwerij West in San Pedro. The shelter brought in dogs of all shapes and sizes to the brewery for people to adopt. Chuck Bennett/Daily Breeze
Brouwerij West is located in a World War II-era warehouse in San Pedro. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Patrons enjoy the atmosphere at San Pedro craft brewery Brouwerij West in pre-Covid-19 days. Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
From right, Exene Cervenka and John Doe of X, shown here at the Observatory in Santa Ana in 2015, will headline San Pedro’s Brouwerij West brewery second anniversary celebration on March 3. (File photo by Drew A. Kelley)
Brouwerij West is one of the spots pouring beers at the upcoming Just Like Heaven festival in Long Beach. (Courtesy of Brouwerij West)
San Pedro’s Brouwerij West celebrated its 4th anniversary with live music, food trucks and new craft beers Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (Hunter Lee, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Light rain moved through the region on Friday March 13, 2020 leaving puddles of water throughout the South Bay. Brouwerij West Pop Fuji spaceman is reflected in the parking lot. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
San Pedro’s Brouwerij West celebrated its 4th anniversary with live music, food trucks and new craft beers Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (Hunter Lee, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Brouwerij West recently launched its own brand called “THINGS…for your head.” (Photo courtesy Brouwerij West)
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Brouwerij West in San Pedro will close on Sunday, March 2, 2025, after operating for 9 years in a World War II warehouse at 110 E. 22nd St. in San Pedro. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
“There were a lot of factors,” co-owner Dave Holop said. “It wasn’t one cause. The market was growing exponentially for 10 years and reached a maturity point where it was saturated.”
Looking ahead, he said, tariffs are also now on the horizon — which would drive costs even higher.
Holop and co-owner Brian Mercer, who launched a GoFundMe page that brought in about $23,000 of its $250,000 goal, announced in February a series of farewell events that will finish rolling out this weekend.
Donations made to the GoFundMe site will be returned to donors as promised.
This weekend, the once thriving brewery will be packed again — but there will also be more than a few tears.
“We don’t even know where to begin,” a social media post from the owners read. “Nine years ago we had a dream and took a chance on creating not just a brewery, but something truly special. Thanks to you, we did just that. Thank you to everyone who offered their support — from kind words and connections to GoFundMe donations — to try to keep this crazy dream going. The outpouring was overwhelming, and we will be forever grateful. As promised, we’ll be returning all GoFundMe donations.”
When Brouwerij West opened its doors in a World War II warehouse, 110 E. 22nd St., adjacent to the San Pedro waterfront in February 2016, the craft beer industry was experiencing a boom. Offering live music, DJs, karaoke nights and special events — with dogs also welcome — the venue quickly drew long lines and a full house, with an outdoor beer garden, tasting rooms and food trucks.
Going forward, Holop said, he and Mercer plan to still distribute the brand, which remains popular, to restaurants, bars and retail stores.
“We only have a short time left here, and we want to go out the way we came in — celebrating with all of you,” their closing announcement post concluded. Several events were held throughout the latter part of this past week, but there are still gatherings planned over the weekend.
Remaining farewell activities include:
A ninth anniversary farewell party from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 1; RSVPs are now at capacity but the event is free and folks are welcome to come by to see if there is space.
The last day is at noon on Sunday, March 2.
“Our last day,”the brewery said on a social media post about its final says. “If you’ve ever wanted to stop by one more time, this is it.”
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