After One Frustrating Visit to a Taproom, Two Friends Set out to Make a Different Kind of Craft Beer … And Built One of the South Bay’s Most Beloved Breweries

For Dave and Jorge, who had already begun brewing beer as a hobby, the experience sparked an idea. They set out to create a light, easy-drinking beer that anyone could enjoy. After countless batches and refinements, that beer became the foundation of Hermosa Brewing Company.

The brewery’s guiding philosophy soon followed:  “Craft Beer for the Beach.”

As family and friends embraced their beers, Dave and Jorge knew they needed feedback from a broader audience. That opportunity came at the Manhattan Wine Auction, where their beers were poured alongside offerings from 75 respected wineries, distilleries and breweries.

The brewery’s guiding philosophy soon followed: “Craft Beer for the Beach.”

“At that event, our line was as long as others. It was scary but went well,” Dave says. “Our final test was meeting with someone from Stone Brewing sales. He tasted all the beers and said which ones he liked and didn’t like. We came out with a passing grade.”

With confidence in their product, the pair began searching for the right location. To establish the brand, they wanted a high-traffic spot in the heart of Hermosa Beach. They found it just two blocks from the Hermosa Beach Pier, where Hermosa Brewing Company opened in January 2018.

“When working late to get the place open as soon as possible, people would walk by, see the sign and poke their heads in so they could see what we were doing,” Dave says. “We had an overwhelmingly positive response from the community.”

The original menu featured classic bar fare, but Dave and Jorge wanted to elevate the food program. In 2019 their search for a new chef led them to Aaron Dubois, whose accomplished résumé included an appearance on the Food Network competition Chopped.

Chef Aaron has become one of the brewery’s biggest draws. Recently named Best Chef by Easy Reader, he regularly showcases inventive seasonal dishes on the ever-changing specials board, with recent offerings including scallop ceviche, halibut banh mi salad and lobster risotto.

As the brewery’s popularity grew, its brewing facility in El Segundo could no longer keep pace with demand. In 2022 Dave and Jorge signed a lease on a larger space in Torrance that provided room for expanded production, a taproom and an event venue. The new location officially opened in January 2023 and sits in one of the South Bay’s premier brewing districts alongside Smog City Brewing Co. and Monkish Brewing Co.

Today the Torrance location is more than a brewery. On any given day, visitors might find yoga classes, bonsai workshops, trivia nights or private events ranging from weddings and reunions to memorial celebrations.

The expanded space also allowed Hermosa Brewing Company to return to its brewing roots, keeping a rotating tap list of fresh creations while continuing to produce its flagship and best-selling Hazy AF, now poured at numerous bars and restaurants throughout the South Bay.

“Everything has exceeded our expectations dramatically. You throw your whole self into it,” Dave says. “It has become such a huge part of our lives, and we are just so grateful for what the community has given back to us.”