POINT LOMA – As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, Bay City Brewing Co. held a party at its Point Loma tasting room, inviting the public to share the first pour of its limited‑edition 10th Anniversary Triple IPA.
The Saturday extravaganza at 3760 Hancock St. marked a decade of bold brews, community connection, and good times for the craft brewer, which also operates a facility Downtown at 627 Eighth Ave. near Petco Park.
“This celebration is not just about the growth of our brewery; it’s about the community we’ve built, the relationships we’ve fostered and the incredible beers we’ve been able to share with San Diego,” said Chad Robley, co-owner of Bay City Brewing. “Our 10th anniversary beer was created as a thank you to everyone who’s been part of our journey.”
Known for its innovative brewing techniques and commitment to quality, Bay City was founded in 2015 by Greg Anderson of McGregor’s Bar and Grill in Mission Valley and Benjamin Dubois. The company produces over a dozen craft beers, including seasonal options.
In 2020, Bay City opened its second location in East Village, featuring a tasting room plus a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the San Diego skyline.
Rob Vetere, Bay City’s chief operating officer, sat down with the Peninsula Beacon to discuss the state of the craft-brew industry and the company’s place in it.
Vetere noted Bay City started in 2015 with three friends and partners who “just wanted to get into the beer industry during a lively time when there was a passion for beer and they got this (Point Loma) production and distribution facility and started brewing.”
Bay City’s business in the Midway neighborhood is event-driven, given its location directly across from Pechanga Arena San Diego, which holds concerts, family shows and sporting events. The San Diego Gulls hockey team and the San Diego Seals lacrosse team are the arena’s two primary tenants.
“[The arena] does not book as many events in the summertime, so these are our slower months when we’re open Thursday through Sunday,” said Vetere. “The meat of our season comes in October when the Gulls and the Seals kick off, which drives the majority of our business.”
Vetere noted COVID was a “market correction” for everybody in the industry, adding that shifting consumer tastes are making profitability harder to attain.
“A lot of good beers have recently shifted their business models,” he pointed out. “There are new challenges now because the competition is not necessarily only beer. We now have seltzers, ready-to-drink cocktails and the growth of cannabis.”
“The consumer has changed,” Vetere said. “You don’t have a younger generation that drinks as much beer. They’re more diverse, drinking more craft non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails). It used to be beer, wine and liquor that you were competing with. Now you have a broader horizon (of competing spirits).
“It’s also become more expensive to go out. You’re not seeing as many people going out as frequently,” he said.
Bay City self-distributes throughout San Diego County from the border to Oceanside to some 250 restaurants and bars, said Vetere, adding their “staple” brews include a West Coast IPA, a couple of “hazes” and their No. 1 seller, a Fiesta Island Pilsner.
“We have our year-round beers, our signature beers and then we try and come up with, quarterly, a different special release or season offering to keep it fresh,” Vetere said.
The company has partnered with San Diego dog charities, taking its Fiesta Island Pilsner, with its trademark pooch with sunglasses logo, and donating a portion of sales every month back to them. \“It’s nice to know our best seller is also contributing back to the communities,” Vetere said.
Bay City’s management and leadership were credited by Vetere for the company’s continued success in the San Diego craft-brewing market.
“We have a great sales team, so we continue to grow; they’re hustling,” he said. “It’s a tough marketplace out there right now for craft beer. What’s made us grow is work. It’s not sexy. It’s not flashy. Account maintenance and customer service have separated us to where we’re still able to do well.”
State of craft breweries
San Diego County still boasts a high number of craft breweries, though the industry has experienced some shifts and closures alongside new openings. As of early 2025, the county is home to over 150 independent craft breweries.
However, after a period of rapid growth, the San Diego craft beer industry has seen an increase in closures, particularly in 2024.
Experts cite various reasons for craft closures. They include increased costs, higher wages and increased competition challenging profitability and changing consumer demand with younger generations exploring alternative beverages.
Industry consolidation is also a factor, with companies coming and going and others being taken over or reopened under new names.
