In its short life-span, the only brewmaster Mason Ale Works has ever known has been Mike Rodriguez. A veteran brewer with years of experience at Boulevard Brewing and Port Brewing Company/The Lost Abbey, Rodriguez was a logical choice to get Mason (the in-house brewing arm of the 3LB Restaurant Concepts family of venues that includes both Urge Gastropubs and Brothers Provisions) constructed, operational and churning out beer both for distribution and barrel-aging. Today, 3LB announced that Rodriguez has resigned to pursue a new brewery project in Santa Cruz, California.
In hiring someone to replace Rodriguez, Mason Ale Works’ owners have taken a rather familiar route, hiring another former head brewer from Port/The Lost Abbey, Matt Webster, to be its new director of brewery operations. Webster will head all brewing at 3LB’s upcoming Urge Common House, a 21,000-square-foot venue in San Marcos’ North City development that will include a 15-barrel brewhouse. He will also oversee brewing operations at the original Oceanside brewery within Urge Gastropub and Whiskey Bank. Day-to-day brewing in Oceanside will be the responsibility of Jason De La Torre, who has been promoted from within to the role of head brewer.
Mason Ale Works debuted its beers in late 2015 and has since secured Southern California distribution of its kegged and canned products via Stone Distributing. Much of the decision to expand brewing and cellaring capabilities via the Common House location was to keep up with demand while providing the ability to expand distribution sooner than later.