Asylum Brewing, founded in 2017 in Anaheim by Tommy Sebestyen, is getting ready to expand south with a new taproom coming to San Diego’s North Park at 2899 University Avenue.
The company’s second location is set to move into the former home of Rouleur Brewing and Black Plague Brewing, according to a recent liquor license application reported by San Diego Magazine. It’s unclear when this location will open, but it follows an ongoing trend of Orange County breweries expanding into San Diego. The brewery is known for producing clean, bold beers with straightforward flavors. Key offerings include the Mexican lager Scurveza, coffee brown ale Rorschach, pale ale Fairweather Friend, and the West Coast IPA Monsters We Breed. The brewery also distributes select beers in cans.
“Every great institution starts with one madman — and at Asylum Brewing Co., that madman is Tommy,” according to the company’s website. “Once just a humble beer lover, Tommy’s obsession spiraled out of control. It started harmless enough — a homebrew kit, a few experimental batches… and then things got weird. Recipes got bolder. ABVs got higher. The lines between genius and madness? Blurred beyond recognition. Inspired by the eerie halls of Danvers Insane Asylum, Tommy knew his creations needed a home just as unhinged as his brews. So he built one.”
The brewery’s Anaheim taproom is located in the Packing District at 180 W. Elm Street. It features an industrial-style space with rotating food vendors in a “Chow Hall” setup. The taproom hosts events such as a yoga class paired with beer called Metal Posers Yoga and aims to support local creators and musicians. Asylum Brewing’s brand philosophy focuses on honest beer and no-gimmick craftsmanship. The name “Asylum” is meant to represent a space for creative expression and community. Their branding incorporates bold, artistic designs inspired by themes of mental health and alternative culture. Customers can expect the same menu offerings and sinister style at the new North Park location.
“Now, Asylum Brewing Co. stands as a tribute to the beautifully deranged — a sanctuary for the hop-obsessed, the flavor-fixated, and anyone thirsty enough to take the risk,” the website continues. “From our mind-bending IPAs to dangerously smooth lagers and cocktails that don’t play nice, every pour comes with a warning: Once you check in, there’s no checking out. So grab a glass. Embrace the madness. And remember — you can always blame Tommy.”
