This has been a double sad week for San Diego craft beer as Council Brewing announced this it is closing and Benchmark Brewing is in immediate need of a cash fusion. The week started with Benchmark Brewing pleading for a buyer. Distribution issues - which may have been resolved - and a landlord dispute have put the five-year-old brewery in a serious cash crunch. According to Benchmark's social media, which I read on the West Coaster article linked too above, Benchmark has about a week to find a buyer or a cash source, or it may close.
Tuesday morning I was thinking how similiar Benchmark and Council Brewing seem to me and that sometimes I confuse them with each other. Both breweries are about five years old and are run by young couples with small children. Then about twenty minutes later I read that Council is closing its brewery. A second gut punch in as many days. Council's decision earlier this year to expand to the former Finest Made Ales space in Santee allowed Council to open a second tasting room. The expense of the second brewery and "much lower tasting room / distribution sales" were too much for Council to overcome.
I feel bad because I don't remember the last time I had either a Council or a Benchmark beer. I don't seem them on draft in places I frequent and I don't usually see their beers in grocery stores. Their distribution issues are real. I don't find myself near their tasting rooms at times when stopping for taster or two is convenient, either. I am going to try to get to Benchmark's Bay Park tasting room Friday or Saturday.
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