Seemingly every restaurant is supplementing their business these days with their own craft brew.
That includes Brigantine Restaurant Corp. as well.
Since June, Ketch Brewing has been produced in, and distributed from, converted warehouse space at Brigantine Restaurant’s corporate headquarters at 7889 Ostrow St. in Kearny Mesa.
“We built a brewery in the corner of our 15,000-square-foot warehouse,” said Michael Morton Jr., president of Brigantine Restaurant Corp., known for its seafood and nautical decor at its 15 San Diego County locations, including recently opened Ketch Grill and Taps at 2614 Shelter Island Drive. 
“At this point, we’re only supplying our restaurants,” said Morton.
For more than 20 years, The Brigantine has offered a house beer called Brig Brew, a golden ale produced by Karl Strauss Brewing.
Morton said Brigantine felt the time was right to brew its own.
“We had the space,” he noted. “But the main thing is, we just wanted to ensure that the beer we were serving was consistent. It was an opportunity to maybe save a few dollars and help our bottom line.”
Morton said two taps are now available at the restaurant chain’s 15 locations countywide serving the company’s homemade beer. He added five different Brigantine brews including a lager, a pale ale and an IPA stout are all being produced at their corporate headquarters under the tutelage of head brewer Sam Billheimer.
“He’s a tremendous talent,” said Morton of Billheimer. “We’re glad to have him on board brewing our beer.”