In April, Chuck McLaughlin closed the doors to the brick-and-mortar tribute to his love of beer and his hometown, Fallbrook Brewing. That business occupied the main drag in its very North County inland namesake community’s downtown area for five years. Over that span, McLaughlin toiled in relative obscurity. He knew from the start that getting out-of-towners in the doors was going to be tough but was surprised to struggle so much luring in the locals the business was built to serve.
It was with a heavy heart that he shuttered Fallbrook Brewing, and he hoped that another entrepreneur would be interested in taking over the facility to give craft beer a second chance in the Avocado Capital of the World. While that won’t be happening, his former home at 136 North Main Street will soon be occupied and serving local brews. Vista-based Prohibition Brewing has taken over the space, including the cold box and furniture, with the intention of turning it into a satellite tasting room.
Prohibition Brewing had considered acquiring Fallbrook Brewing’s brewery and cellar equipment, but that did not end up being part of the deal. McLaughlin has sold that stainless stock to another local party. Prohibition’s plan is to transform the old brewery space into a kitchen, from which they can serve sandwiches and other items to go with their array of beers, including mainstays like Dirty Blonde, Hef-U-Up, Ruby Red, and Pro Co IPA.