Bock owners quietly announced the split in a social media post last month, confirming that Biersal's final day of service inside the pub was May 25. The announcement described the separation as amicable, thanking owner Matt Schooner and the Biersal team for helping bring the vision of Bock to life during the venue's opening months.
"From day one, Matt and the Biersal team helped bring the vision of Bock to life," the post stated. "Their food, creativity, and hard work played a huge role in shaping the lively neighborhood pub the space has become."
Bock emphasized that the split was amicable and described Biersal as an important part of the venue's successful launch. Management credited owner Matt Schooner and his team with helping establish the concept during its first year of operation and said they remain appreciative of the partnership.
The departure comes as a surprise to many patrons who had only recently begun enjoying Biersal's first brick-and-mortar operation. The concept had built a loyal following since launching as a food truck in 2017, specializing in German-inspired comfort food including bratwurst, currywurst, giant Bavarian pretzels, schnitzel sandwiches and loaded fries.
When Bock opened in March 2025, Biersal was positioned as a cornerstone of the operation. The kitchen occupied a dedicated counter inside the sprawling new beer hall and offered both dine-in and takeout service. For many customers, the pairing seemed like a natural fit: a German-focused kitchen operating alongside a beer program emphasizing traditional European lagers, ales and specialty imports.
The departure comes as a surprise to many patrons who had only recently begun enjoying Biersal's first brick-and-mortar operation. The concept had built a loyal following since launching as a food truck in 2017, specializing in German-inspired comfort food including bratwurst, currywurst, giant Bavarian pretzels, schnitzel sandwiches and loaded fries.
When Bock opened in March 2025, Biersal was positioned as a cornerstone of the operation. The kitchen occupied a dedicated counter inside the sprawling new beer hall and offered both dine-in and takeout service. For many customers, the pairing seemed like a natural fit: a German-focused kitchen operating alongside a beer program emphasizing traditional European lagers, ales and specialty imports.
While Bock's announcement focused on the end of the partnership, a statement posted by Biersal owner Matt Schooner revealed the departure is part of a much larger change for the German-inspired food concept. Schooner announced that Biersal's South Park kitchen would close at the end of May and that the company would not continue operating its longtime food truck, effectively bringing the brand's decade-long run to an end.
According to Schooner, the concept was inspired by a 2015 family trip through Europe that included visits to iconic breweries and beer destinations such as Cantillon, Orval, St. Bernardus, Westvleteren, and Bamberg's famed kellerbier cellars. Those experiences ultimately led to the launch of Biersal Food Truck later that year, with a menu built around German beer hall staples including currywurst, schnitzel, Bavarian pretzels, obatzda, and rauchbier-inspired dishes designed to complement San Diego's craft beer culture.
"The last ten years have been better than I ever could have imagined," Schooner wrote in his farewell message, thanking brewery partners, employees, and customers who supported the business over the years. Biersal plans to host a final farewell event at Fall Brewing on June 29 featuring many of the menu items that helped build its following among local craft beer enthusiasts.
According to Schooner, the concept was inspired by a 2015 family trip through Europe that included visits to iconic breweries and beer destinations such as Cantillon, Orval, St. Bernardus, Westvleteren, and Bamberg's famed kellerbier cellars. Those experiences ultimately led to the launch of Biersal Food Truck later that year, with a menu built around German beer hall staples including currywurst, schnitzel, Bavarian pretzels, obatzda, and rauchbier-inspired dishes designed to complement San Diego's craft beer culture.
"The last ten years have been better than I ever could have imagined," Schooner wrote in his farewell message, thanking brewery partners, employees, and customers who supported the business over the years. Biersal plans to host a final farewell event at Fall Brewing on June 29 featuring many of the menu items that helped build its following among local craft beer enthusiasts.
Online reaction to the departure has been swift. A recent discussion on Reddit's FoodSanDiego forum saw numerous commenters expressing disappointment over the closure, particularly fans of Biersal's Sunday schnitzel specials and currywurst. As Bock searches for a permanent kitchen operator, the business is temporarily transforming the space into a rotating showcase of some of San Diego's most popular food concepts, with a lineup of pop-ups scheduled throughout June and July.
The first pop-up, Mastiff Kitchen, takes over the space from June 3 through June 7, followed by RomBomb Burger on June 9 and June 16. The Spot SD will serve guests from June 11 through June 13, with Barrelman BBQ appearing on June 14. Fan-favorite burger concept The Friendly is scheduled for June 27, while Bica is slated to take over the kitchen on July 11. Additional pop-ups are expected to be announced as Bock continues its search for a long-term culinary partner.
Management stressed that Bock remains fully operational and that food service remains a key part of the long-term vision despite not being required under the establishment's 21-and-over bar license. "We want people to be able to come in, hang out, watch a game, drink something great, and have good food available too," a representative told SanDiegoVille.
The transition marks another chapter in the ongoing evolution of the property at 30th Street and Juniper. The building sat vacant for more than four years after a devastating 2020 fire forced the closure of Hamilton's Tavern, one of San Diego's most influential craft beer bars. Local entrepreneur Brian Jensen, founder of Bottlecraft and Vino Carta, spent years navigating reconstruction challenges before finally reopening the space earlier this year as Bock, a European-inspired neighborhood pub centered around German beer culture.
The concept quickly drew attention for its extensive Old World beer program, featuring dozens of taps dedicated to German, Belgian, Czech and British styles, along with a menu of house-brewed bock lagers developed in partnership with Puesto CervecerÃa.
"They've decided to move on from the kitchen here and we wish them well," a representative from Bock explained.
Bock is located at 1517 30th Street in San Diego's South Park neighborhood. For more information, visit bockbar.com.
Originally published on June 2, 2026.
Bock is located at 1517 30th Street in San Diego's South Park neighborhood. For more information, visit bockbar.com.
Originally published on June 2, 2026.