The brewery, which opened in 2017 and became a community staple in Oceanside, announced the closure on Instagram, citing financial hardships stemming from the kitchen’s operations and an abrupt end to negotiations that were meant to stabilize the business. The brewery’s challenges began after taking over the kitchen in 2023, launching The Lodge at Northern Pine Brewing to offer elevated dishes inspired by the founders' Idaho roots.
Despite initial success, the kitchen strained operations, leading owners Aaron Ortega, Anne Ortega, and Bobby Parsons to focus on selling it to clear remaining debt. Negotiations for the sale were underway, with backup options in place, until late last week when the landlords unexpectedly halted cooperation and issued a vacate notice, leaving the team with no clear explanation for the change. The closure follows Northern Pine's recent exit from its Brewers Deck space at Del Mar’s Sky Deck, where Latitude 33 Brewing is in the process of taking over.
Northern Pine will remain open for its final days on April 14 and 15 during normal hours. The brewery is seeking new opportunities for its staff, encouraging local businesses to reach out, and expressed gratitude to employees and customers for their support over the years. Despite the closure, the owners remain hopeful, emphasizing the strength of their brewing operations and plans to relaunch Northern Pine in a new capacity after taking time to regroup.
Founded by former Marines Aaron Ortega and Bobby Parsons, alongside Anne Ortega, Northern Pine aimed to bring a taste of the Northwest to Oceanside, focusing on outdoor-inspired beers like pineapple dry-hopped IPAs and bourbon barrel-aged porters. The brewery, which also operated a tasting room in Del Mar, produced around 600 barrels annually and was known for its kid- and dog-friendly atmosphere, as well as community initiatives like Locals Day with $5 pints every Thursday.
Northern Pine Brewing will close at 326 N. Horne Street in San Diego's North County city of Oceanside after end of service on April 15, 2025. For more information, visit northernpinebrewing.com.
