It was bound to happen and we’ve all been waiting for news of what the space formerly known as Hamilton’s Tavern would turn into next. Luckily for beer lovers, the folks who brought us Bottlecraft are working on a new concept to keep the beer hub alive in South Park. San Diego Beer News have reported the space will turn over to Bottlecraft Owner Brian Jensen and CEO Chris Sarrette to mold into Bock, a European-Style pub.
After 14 years in operation, the dimly-lit, indoor beer hall did not meet standards for drinking establishments in the era of COVID. In the midst of struggling through confusing pandemic changes and regulations, Hamilton’s bar was then hit with a fire that did such crucial damage to the space, it was forced to close down altogether. Lucky for the South Park neighborhood, a trusted name in San Diego craft beer is stepping in to oversee the location’s transition.
Bottlecraft have successfully expanded their bar and bottle shops from North Park to Little Italy, and Solana Beach, while continuing to build the brand with new collaborative offerings like Shootz Fish + Beer inside their upcoming bottle shop opening in Oceanside.
Due to the fire, the space will need significant repair ahead of a move-in by the new project. According to Jensen’s comments on the new space, “Bock will be an everyman’s bar with the comfortable, cozy, warm feeling of a pub along with South Park’s craftsman stylings. The atmosphere and feeling will be similar to what Hamilton’s was.” As the San Diego beer scene calls for more inclusive drinking spaces and Hamilton’s was called out in 2021 for various stories of sexual harassment, we hope Bock doesn’t take too much of the old atmosphere with it.
We can expect Bock to share more about the concept and on-site food offerings as they work out design plans for the space. Bock is expected in late 2022, no additional details or social media is available at this time.
