THE BREWSPAPER / MISSION BREWERY THEN AND NOW

THEN--Mission Brewing Co., Hancock Street (Washington Street at Pacific Coast Highway), 1915

SUDS CENTENNIAL--San Diego’s reputation as craft beer mecca gets a boost this month as the planet’s leading beer makers arrive to participate in the 2015 National Homebrewers Conference at the Town & Country Resort June 11-13.  Considered the one of the biggest competition in the world, this year’s American Homebrewers Assn. conference will attract more than 4,000 attendees.

             “It’s fitting that the AHA conference is being held in San Diego, considering our county is recognized as the hottest growing micro brew in the world,” says Ryan Lamb, executive editor of West Coaster, a craft beer magazine, published in San Diego.

Historically, San Diego was home to several thriving breweries until Congress passed the 18^th Amendment (aka Prohibition) closed them all in 1919.  Built in 1913, Mission Brewing brick building (pictured in 1915) became a quarantine hospital for victims of the world flu pandemic during Prohibition.  One hundred years ago, Mission Brewery was known for Old Mission Lager and Hopski, a soft-drink made from malt and hops, the jolt drink of its day.

Fast forward to 2007, when Dan Selis resurrected the Mission Brewing name and last year he moved into a new facility in what was once the Wonder Bread bakery.  Today, the popular brewery’s signature brews are a local Hefeweitzen, Amber Ale and a San Diego County IPA.  Mission’s beers have won their share of national beer competitions, which only add to the growing prestige of San Diego County as the hottest craft beer making zone in the world.

Editor’s note: A version of this article appeared in San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles, April 2012. Images courtesy of San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles and San Diego History Center.