It’s been more than six months since Twisted Manzanita Ales & Spirits shut down its Santee base of brewing operations and pulled out of its satellite tasting room in Pacific Beach. Though ownership there implied the business would be back in some form—and it still may—that will not happen at its former headquarters. That facility—both the brewery and distillery components—have been purchased by another San Diego brewery…and it’s not one that most would have expected. Today, Grantville-based Groundswell Brewing Company announced its acquisition of the former Twisted Manzanita facility at 10151 Prospect Avenue.
Founded in 2013 and having called a space at 6304 Riverdale Street in the Grantville neighborhood home over its lifespan, Groundswell will move its brewing operations to Santee upon receiving licensing approval. In doing so, the company will transition from its current three-and-a-half-barrel system to Twisted Manzanita’s 30-barrel brewery. Operation of this new-used asset will be the charge of brewmaster Callaway Ryan, who has been with the company since March of this year after stints at Stone Brewing and the defunct URBN St. Brewery.
This acquisition also brings with it Twisted Manzanita’s distilling equipment, which includes a combination alembic continuous still. Groundswell owner Kevin Rhodes says the company intends to begin distilling within the next 12 months, and says the business, which is approaching 1,000 barrels produced in 2016, anticipates growing to 2,500-3,000 barrels of beer per year courtesy of this acquisition.
Groundswell will hold on to its Grantville space, converting it to a satellite tasting-room. Meanwhile, back in Santee, Twisted Manzanita’s former tasting-room will be wiped clean and renovated to fit its new owner’s identity and aesthetic, which to-date can best be described as kickback and comfortable.
