Last September, National City welcomed its first craft brewery, Embarcadero Brewing and Supply. That nanobrewery and homebrew store will be joined later this year by another hybrid business…a combo brewery and ice cream producer. That interest will go by the name Hannegan’s House Beer Co. and Creamery and be located west of Interstate 5 near the shipyards at 1535 Tidelands Avenue, Suite C.
The project is a labor of dual affections for Andrew Hannegan, a graduate of San Diego State University’s Business of Craft Beer certificate program who began experimenting with homebrewing and incorporation of beer as an ice-cream ingredient back in 2015. He first considered taking his hobby to the next level when an investor approached him in 2017. When that partnership fell through the following year, Hannegan and his wife decided to move forward with the project on their own and to do it where Andrew grew up.
“I chose to open in National City because there is a demand to fill the gap between Chula Vista and the rest of the county and, realistically, National City needs to be a part of the craft beer conversation,” says Hannegan. He will be in charge of brewing and help with every other aspect of the business at his 1,200-square-foot venue, which should be able to seat 40. It will also house Hannegan’s one-barrel electric system and a half-dozen fermenters of the same size (though he may invest in three-barrel tanks). He hopes to be brewing by September and open to the public in November.
“We will be offering many styles of beer, but especially malty beers, because they make better ice cream, and, yes, there will be IPAs, but expect a good mix and, when reality hits and I see what sells and what doesn’t, I will make appropriate changes,” says Hannegan.
Ice cream and beer will be available in quantities meant to mirror each other—16-, eight- and 3.5-ounce servings. Flavors will change seasonally, with the exception of reliable standbys like vanilla and chocolate. And though he’s not ready to show all of his cards, Hannegan says there will be some “fun” ice cream creations for customers to enjoy.
“We are attempting to bring something a little different to an already-crowded beer market in a community that we feel is in need of that ‘something different,’” says Hannegan. “We love beer and we love ice cream, and we want to share our passion with everyone.”