The Port of Los Angeles Warehouse No. 9 in San Pedro is being redeveloped into a beer brewery and restaurant. The 27,000-square-foot World War II-era wooden warehouse will have two thirds of the property devoted to the production of Brouwerij West beer as well as the distribution and on-site sales and tasting. The remaining third of the property will house an eatery where guests will be able to enjoy all of Brouwerij West’s beers, plus rotating guest beers, and a curated selection of wines.
Seating will be available inside with a view of the working production brewery, or outside on either the loading docks-turned-patios or the property’s expansive courtyard. Tours will also be offered so visitors can see close up the inner workings of the brewery.
Brouwerij West is a maker of Belgian-style ales made with mostly Belgian ingredients and sold in more than 30 states and six countries. The name of the company is an homage to the brand’s Belgian influence – “Brouwerij” is the Flemish word for brewery, and is pronounced “brewery.” Joining brewer Brian Mercer in the venture is Brendan Collins, the English-born executive chef of upscale Culver City gastropub Waterloo & City, and his partner, Carolos Tomazos.
Brouwerij West is just one of the newest projects in a continued effort by port officials to upgrade the Los Angeles Waterfront area and revive a once-bustling area of San Pedro. Neighboring Warehouse No. 10 was renovated in 2012 for Crafted, a year-round indoor weekend crafts market, populated by makers of art, apparel, jewelry and food. Ports O’Call Village is also in line for a full makeover, and an old pier is set be turned into a $500-million marine research center. The port will spend more than $800 million on infrastructure improvements intended to attract private developers to the waterfront, including roadway realignments and expansion of the 1.5-mile Waterfront Red Car Line serving the waterfront on weekends. A $125-million upgrade of the 700-slip Cabrillo Way Marina was completed in 2011.
Brouwerij West is scheduled to open by the end of 2014. For more information and updates, visit their website.
