OUR PURPOSE
Bringing People together over great beer Around Great Causes
Mike Hess Brewing started in 2010 as San Diego’s first nano-brewery, founded by Navy veteran Mike Hess and his wife, Lynda. With one roll-up door and 800 square feet, we pioneered a new way for small breweries to thrive—helping inspire more than 1,000 nanos nationwide through our popular Hess Brewing Odyssey blog.
Fifteen years later, we’ve grown into one of California’s most dynamic craft beverage brands, with seven locations across the state and our boldest project yet—a 36,000 ft² flagship brewery, restaurant, beer garden, and distillery opening in 2026 at West Harbor in Los Angeles.
From day one, our purpose has been simple: to bring people together over great beer around great causes. That purpose flows through everything we do, from crafting award-winning beers and in-house spirits for hand-crafted cocktails to hosting community events that raise hundreds of thousands for pediatric cancer research, veteran mental health, and local nonprofits.
Whether it’s light and refreshing, rich and malty, or bursting with hops, every beer we brew is made with care so that every sip delivers the quality and flavor you’ve come to expect from Mike Hess Brewing. And at every location, our outstanding team ensures guests feel welcomed, whether they’re longtime beer lovers, curious first-timers, or families and friends gathering for a memorable day out.
Our tasting rooms and beer gardens are designed for connection. They’re family- and dog-friendly social spaces where friendships—and even marriages—have been forged over pints and laughter. From walking our iconic skybridge in North Park to people-watching a block from the OB Dog Beach to enjoying live music in our sprawling Imperial Beach biergarten, every MHB location offers a unique way to experience our craft.
We invite you to pull up a chair, share a table, and raise a glass with us. Come see why Mike Hess Brewing has been a craft beer trailblazer for over 15 years—and why the best is still to come.”
Learn more about the history of MHB
Fun Facts
Our Mike Hess Brewing Odyssey blog, started in 2009, has become the de facto go-to manual for opening a nano-brewery. It is widely read across the nation and abroad. At one time it was the most comprehensive listing of nanos in the country, outside of the Brewers Association’s. The BA still refers startups to our blog as a source book.
Mike is a nationally recognized expert on nanos and the process of transitioning from a nano to a microbrewery. He has presented at numerous conferences throughout the country, including the National Homebrewers Conference in 2011, BeerCon2011, the Craft Brewers Conference from 2015 to 2017, the California Craft Brewers Association conferences from 2014 to 2016, and the Draft Brewery Accelerator in 2016. Start-up breweries frequently seek out Mike’s advice and assistance, and he remains committed to helping the industry grow. Mike served on the Board of the CCBA from 2019 to 2021, bringing his extensive knowledge and experience to this important role.