Less Than A Year After Acquisition, San Diego's Coronado Brewing Is Trying To Sell Monkey Paw Brewing

May 29, 2018

It's been less than a year since Coronado Brewing Company purchased a majority interest in East Village's Monkey Paw Brewing, but the San Diego craft brewer has already listed the brewpub up for sale.

"While we were excited about the potential of Monkey Paw, the decision to sell came from the need to refocus our energy toward Coronado Brewing," said Coronado Brewin CEO Brandon Richards in a press release issued today. "We’re confident that the award-winning Monkey Paw brewery has brand equity that can be of value to someone looking to enter the craft industry."

Although the Coronado Brewing team are staying hush hush about the true reason for the quick turnaround, this announcement comes only a month after Monkey Paw's founder Scot Blair, who also owns Hamilton’s Tavern, South Park Brewing Company and is still a stakeholder in the Monkey Paw brand, filed a lawsuit against Monkey Paw alleging breach of contract and associated claims - seeking $33,534 plus interest as part of a promissory note that was dated September 1, 2017. According to the lawsuit, Blair has not received any payments.

Coronado Brewing acquired the Monkey Paw brand in 2017 and worked to refresh the overall aesthetics, including an overhaul of its East Village pub, as well as introducing the new Lab Monkey IPA cans at retail. The sale of the Monkey Paw brand allows Coronado to focus its financial and human resources on growing the Coronado brand. The company will continue to operate the Monkey Paw pub in downtown San Diego while offers are entertained. Coronado Brewing Company is also investing in its main production facility and tasting room in Bay Park, with a new outdoor beer garden slated to open in time for the company’s 22nd Anniversary celebration on July 28, 2018.

For more information about Coronado Brewing Company, visit coronadobrewing.com.