SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — It's been a tumultuous year for East Village's Monkey Paw Brewery.
The local brewing company was purchased by Coronado Brewing Company in July 2017, put up for sale in May of this year, and closed its downtown San Diego brewpub Monday.
Coronado Brewing Company (CBC) CEO Brandon Richards said in May, months after finalizing the purchase, the sale was part of a refocusing for CBC.
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"While we were excited about the potential of Monkey Paw, the decision to sell came from the need to refocus our energy toward Coronado Brewing," Richards said. "We’re confident that the award-winning Monkey Paw brewery has brand equity that can be of value to someone looking to enter the craft industry."
CBC said they would keep the downtown brewpub open while fielding offers for Monkey Paw.
However, Richards told 10News Tuesday they are still looking for a buyer for the brand and are now determining the best use for Monkey Paw's former space.
Richards added that CBC is currently producing Monkey Paw beers on an as needed basis.
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Monkey Paw had amassed a list of awards, including wins at the San Diego International Beer Competition, Los Angeles International Beer Festival, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup.
Though soon after CBC's purchase of the brand, Monkey Paw's founder Scott Blair filed a lawsuit against Monkey Paw for breach of contract, according to Brewbound.
Blair claimed Monkey Paw owed him $33,534, plus interest, as part of a promissory note. Blair said he had not received any payments, which were to be made monthly, since Oct. 2017.
At the time CBC announced the sale, Richards told Brewbound the decision was not a result of the pending lawsuit.
