JuneShine closes final tasting rooms in San Diego, Santa Monica

The hometown happy hour of JuneShine is officially coming to a close.

The hard kombucha brand from San Diego is set to close its final company-owned tasting rooms, just months after ceasing local brewing. This marks an end to a fizzy journey for what was once a thriving beverage brand, leaving it without a single company-run taproom in the United States.

This week, the company announced that its Scripps Ranch and Santa Monica taprooms will serve their last drinks on August 28, concluding a significant retreat from the brick-and-mortar empire that JuneShine spent years establishing.

“It’s hard to say this: our cherished Santa Monica and Scripps Ranch tasting rooms are closing,” the company shared in an Instagram post dated August 3.

“This wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s the right one for what comes next.”

Customers are encouraged to join for one last round during an event dubbed “The Last Splash.”

The closures signify a dramatic shift for a company that, not too long ago, seemed invincible.

Founded in 2018 by University of San Diego classmates Greg Serrao and Forrest Dein, JuneShine quickly rose to prominence as California’s first organic hard kombucha brewery, opening its initial tasting room in North Park before rapidly expanding.

In no time, the company transitioned from a neighborhood favorite to a beverage powerhouse, acquiring the former Ballast Point headquarters in Scripps Ranch and converting the 30,000-square-foot space into a flagship brewery and taproom, while raising $24 million to support its nationwide aspirations.

Executives had lofty dreams of producing over 1 million cases annually, launching a coast-to-coast canned cocktail service, and opening new taprooms well beyond California — including an ambitious Brooklyn location complete with brewing equipment.

However, the enthusiasm faded. The Brooklyn venue quietly closed in 2024 after just about two years of service.

Earlier this year, JuneShine confirmed it would stop all brewing operations in San Diego, outsource production to third-party manufacturers, lay off local production staff, and put its former Ballast Point brewery up for sale, shifting towards a more streamlined, brand-focused model.

Now, the company’s final tasting rooms will follow in the same direction.

In total, JuneShine has closed its original North Park taproom, scrapped plans for a larger replacement, shuttered its Brooklyn establishment in Williamsburg, ceased brewing in San Diego, put its flagship brewery on the market, and is now getting ready to close its last two company-owned venues.

What remains is the brand itself.

“JuneShine isn’t going anywhere,” the company reassures. “You’ll still find us in stores, at your favorite hangouts, and out in the real world.”

However, starting August 29, fans hoping for one last drink at a JuneShine taproom will only be able to crack open a can.

This farewell occurs amidst a squeezed food-and-drink scene in the state.

As previously reported by The California Post, San Diego’s iconic Point Loma Denny’s served its last Grand Slam in June after nearly six decades, leaving residents mourning the loss of a community staple.

Further north, Los Angeles is also experiencing a wave of restaurant closures this summer.

As detailed by The Post, at least eight notable eateries have shut down or temporarily closed since May, including Beverly Hills institution Crustacean, Wolfgang Puck’s Merois, Connie & Ted’s, Nerano, Drake’s Hollywood, Cinque Terre West, VooDoo Doughnut’s Venice Beach shop, and the popular Dialog Cafe.

For JuneShine, the taps may be turning off, but sadly, it’s not the only beloved Californian brand facing last calls.

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