Encinitas may soon trade bottomless fries for barrel-aged spirits. Encinitas Brewing Company, a brewery-distillery-restaurant concept, plans to move into the long-vacant former Islands Restaurant at 1588 Leucadia Boulevard in the Encinitas Ranch shopping center. The owners say the venue will pair on-site beer and spirits production with a full-service kitchen and a significantly enlarged outdoor patio. If everything stays on schedule, the project would add another high-profile gathering spot to North County’s craft-beverage circuit.
According to What Now San Diego, the team intends to occupy roughly 5,500 square feet inside the existing building and boost the outdoor patio to about 1,565 square feet. The owners have applied for a mix of state liquor licenses, including a Type 23 small beer manufacturer, a Type 06 still license and a Type 74 craft distiller license, setting up the space to brew beer, distill spirits and run a tasting-room component alongside standard restaurant service.
Permits and the Planning Hearing
As outlined in the city’s planning notice published by The Coast News, the Planning Commission item covers interior and exterior upgrades, alcohol licensing and a parking study tied to the expanded patio. The public notice lists Brian McBride and Ryan Van Biene as the applicants and identifies the project as exempt from further environmental review under CEQA because it is a tenant improvement to an existing restaurant space.
Who’s Behind It
State business filings aggregated by BizProfile show Encinitas Brewing Company LLC was formed in mid-2024 and lists McBride and Van Biene as managers. Van Biene is a co-founder of Austin’s Pinthouse Pizza, a multi-site brewpub group, according to Community Impact. Contractor project notes identify McBride as the owner behind Leucadia’s Priority Public House, per APSGC.
Timeline and Next Steps
Co-owner Ryan Van Biene told What Now San Diego that the Planning Commission recently approved the project and that construction should take about five months once it begins. He said the team is targeting a September opening, while stressing that the schedule remains flexible as final permits and state licensing are secured.
Where It Fits In
The mix of brewery, tasting room and small-batch distillery would join a busy North County craft-beer scene and reflects a growing trend toward hybrid beverage concepts in the region, as reported by SanDiegoVille. The city recently voted to extend temporary outdoor dining through July 2026, which could ease patio permitting while long-term outdoor dining rules are finalized, according to 10News.
Owners say they will share menu details, distilling plans and hiring information as approvals clear and construction gets underway, with updates posted on the company’s website. For more information and future announcements, see Encinitas Brew Co.
