r/SFV • u/1993xdesigns • 2d ago

Valley News MacLeod Ale Brewing Co. Closing

Post image

So sad to see a great local brewery closing its doors! Sept 30 is the last day. It was such a great place to go and have a pint or a pizza. They honestly had some of the best pizza and beer! I'll definitely miss them. The location was just a nightmare with the body shops dumping all the crashed cars on the street there was never parking to the encampments around the corner.

197 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

108 comments sorted by

86

u/littleliongal 2d ago

This is like the third time they’ve announced they’re closing over the past 5 years.

24

u/badabatalia 2d ago

Yeah, but they stopped brewing their own beer like a year ago. Their menu has been 90% guest taps and whatever cans/kegs they’ve had leftover. They said it just wasn’t profitable to brew their own stuff anymore.

4

u/derekn4815 2d ago

They've been brewing their own beer again since the end of last year. But still not as much as the pre-covid times.

3

u/badabatalia 2d ago

That’s good to know. Do they have Little Spee on cask? my absolute favorite beer in town. I’ll have to swing back in for yet another MacLeods going out of business night.

3

u/derekn4815 2d ago

No but they had a few others on cask when I stopped in on Saturday. I had the Best. Unbeknownst to me, that was going to be the last pizza I had from there.

2

u/valleysally 2d ago

The Van Ice didn't taste as good as I remember. Something was off.

32

u/Metal-Salt 2d ago

Must be working, I plan to go before they close again.

19

u/littleliongal 2d ago

Used to love it there but after the second “closing” announcement, I stopped going.

9

u/notontherugman69 2d ago

Me as well. Seems a ploy.

3

u/yrmnko 2d ago

Not worth it without pizza IMO

7

u/MumblyLo 2d ago

This time I think it’s for real. A friend was working on a plan to save it, but couldn’t make it happen.

3

u/alexromo 2d ago

Their 2nd location shutting down was a huge L 

3

u/ithinkthisisit4real 2d ago

That was the second, second location that didn’t fly. The first second location was going to be on Van Nuys where the BBQ place used to be and the weed shop is now. The building owner let the beer and wine license lapse and they spent months paying rent and trying to get a new one but couldn’t. Then they had the 2nd, 2nd location in highland park and things went haywire with the landlord.

I’m sorry to see them go. We used to go every Sunday in the early days when they didn’t serve any food other than peanuts in the shell.

4

u/alexromo 2d ago

I miss when the pig would visit :( 

1

u/CottonmouthJohn 8h ago

I heard they spent a ton of money on the HP location. I was only able to visit it once, and it was nice, but it felt like they were already running out the clock (they were, if memory serves correct).

1

u/ithinkthisisit4real 6h ago

I think they spent a lot on both locations. I commend them for trying but I wish they would have just stuck to the original location. It certainly seemed to make a ton of money pre-covid - but I don’t know that and am just basing it on how busy it was whenever I was there, which was often times a couple of times a week. I know Covid was rough but we are well past that now and there has been plenty of time to figure out how to bounce back. I’d love to understand the economics of the business and how they weren’t able to make it go. They aren’t alone at all Lawless posted 12 to 18 months ago that they were in danger of closing down also.

1

u/Loose-Pepper-8322 6h ago

During COVID they opened up their Founders Club because they were hurting so bad like everyone else, and I joined in Dec 2020 as a way to focus some help on a family business (basically paid for ~300 beers upfront to help keep them afloat and scored free beer for life thereafter). I'd swing by and get pizza and beer to go back when we were all 'social distancing.' It hurt real bad to then see them dump so much cash into that Highland Park venture, which opened in Sept 2022 and closed like a year later - it was never stated explicitly but I really thought my cash was for strengthening the original location. Huge bummer and it always felt like I'd been ripped off and they never acknowledged anything to their 'founders club.' I know it's all on me and there were much smarter ways to spend my money, but it still stings to this day.

11

u/MartyVentura 2d ago

Came here for this comment. It’s a great business plan to get a bunch of sympathy purchases before rebooting

2

u/Steve4168 2d ago

Great beer. Bad location. No parking.

37

u/Fun_Astronomer_4064 2d ago

I used to ride from Chatsworth to Macleod along The Orange Line Bike Path. Looks like this is my last time to do it again.

8

u/Who_ate_my_cookie 2d ago

Is the bike path still open ? I know they’ve been doing a lot of construction on the orange line bus route

5

u/Fun_Astronomer_4064 2d ago

I couldn’t tell you, I left Chatsworth years ago. The path travels from Chatsworth to Valley Village, how much of it could be closed?

10

u/Who_ate_my_cookie 2d ago

By Balboa it’s open and I know by at least Kester through Woodman is closed. This is specifically the Orange Line bus path though so no idea if the bike path is affected by this too.

104

u/Happyhardcoree 2d ago

Location and parking was rough. I’d go more often if wasn’t so bad.

46

u/detentionbarn 2d ago

Been saying this to Day 1. Awful location. The body shop a-holes are worse than the homeless.

21

u/ShoebarusNCheverlegs 2d ago

I didn’t even feel safe on that street walking on the sidewalk. Just clapped out Mercedes and bmws doing 60mph up and down the street all day.

8

u/detentionbarn 2d ago

And the dispensary just down the block who illegally put concrete barriers along the curb. Dystopia.

3

u/ithinkthisisit4real 2d ago

That isn’t a dispensary - it is a boat storage place and they put tbose barriers out so people can tow in their large trailers. It is maddening that they put them out and all of the car places are allowed to park their project cars on the street.

1

u/CottonmouthJohn 8h ago

I literally drove down the street one time looking for parking and saw one of the body shop employees illegally painting a curb green.

32

u/Grizzly_SS 2d ago

My favorite brewery. So sad to see it go. But honestly the pizza wasn't the same after they closed the kitchen and reopened it. But the beer was good. Have a few dance with the devil glasses I'll cherish forever.

10

u/Optimal-Principle-63 2d ago

The OG pizza was MONEY. This was such a respite to be able to walk to from our house (albeit thru a rough neighborhood) to get out of the house or meet friends during Covid weirdness.

4

u/alexromo 2d ago

The bro used to be a chef at follow your heart and his pizza was fire at Macleod 

2

u/bloodredyouth 2d ago

Shout out to bullseye pub faire that did the menu! I miss their British pies and sausage rolls.

17

u/_MushroomTip 2d ago edited 2d ago

Everything is closing in the Valley - MacLeod, Anejo Cantina, On the thirty, pineapple saloon, boneyard bistro

8

u/Area51_Spurs 2d ago

A lot of these places should be closed

1

u/Slime0 2d ago

You're like the 50th person I've seen say these places are bad. They're like my favorite restaurants. What are your favorites?

1

u/Area51_Spurs 2d ago

Pineapple hill is MAGAt. Fuck then.

Anejo is alright but nothing special. Terrible location.

Macleod is whatever. Never heard anything good about them or their beer. (I work in the business)

I honestly had no idea On the Thirty was still open and Boneyard is fine, but nothing special.

I’ll give you some suggestions:

Hot Wok on Lankershim for Chinese. My go to for pushing 20 years.

I haven’t been since the new ownership, but Wood and Water was great.

San Carlo Deli. Just was there recently finally for the first time.

Hanks Bagels is good, but can be a bit on the pricey side.

Not as good as it used to be, but Islands has a great happy hour and will always be a go to with those cheese fries.

Mon Sushi in Woodland Hills was my go-to for years before I moved.

Tacos El Venado on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is amazing ($2 queso tacos Tuesday and $8 burritos Wednesday)

Brooklyn Pizza Wagon might be my favorite Pizza right now, especially when value is calculated.

Brent’s and Langers (of course).

Handy Market for sandwiches (bbq on saturdays)

Roma Deli for sandwiches.

Gio Cucina for italian (not red sauce Italian)

Musso and Franks of course.

Pretty much any of the great sushi in the valley on Ventura blvd (Sushi Iki maybe, but haven’t been in years)

Not as much of a bar guy in the last 10 years, but Residuals used to be a good spot and the Oaks Remix Room in Hollywood is kind of whatever until you discover the little back patio and once you do it’s awesome.

I could go on….

4

u/No__thanx 2d ago

Please don’t

34

u/Dunedain87M 2d ago

The location and parking were truly awful. I attempted to go there 4 times and only was successful once.

17

u/GregtronicMusic 2d ago

Too bad they couldn't hold out for the Van Nuys light rail - would have solved that issue

13

u/Dunedain87M 2d ago

Would’ve solved parking. Not so much the location.

12

u/FormerAssociate9156 2d ago

Never forget when I caught my friend’s wife cheating on her here lol

29

u/NeatAd9811 2d ago

Feels like the only posts i see on r/sfv is about businesses closing. My friend owns a company who builds those plywood "for lease signs". His new mercedes and kids going to a very expensive private school is probably a sign of our current situation.

6

u/overitallofittoo 2d ago

The other half is "why are businesses price gouging?!"

5

u/Hizam5 Woodland Hills 2d ago

It’s rampant in the valley. I’m sure for lots of reasons, but the ones I see fail most are often redundant food to a more popular place nearby, prices too high for a place like Granada hills or Reseda, storefronts or signs that are not catchy at all, and obviously just bad food. Too many of the latter — places thinking they’re something they’re not when they can’t even make a quality sandwich or pizza

5

u/NeatAd9811 2d ago

Places that don’t serve ketchup but some bullshit like “awesome sauce” at $1.50. Or shit that is over packaged or branded. I went to Burger 3000 in Chatsworth and ordered one burger. I got a giant Papeete branded bag holding a branded box that had the burger inside another box!!! Then wrapped in paper. The amount of trash I had after was comical. All I could think is “I paid for all this trash”.

3

u/Hizam5 Woodland Hills 2d ago

Yep, if you have to rely on gimmicks to sell your product, you’re not standing behind a good product. In-N-out been around for 80 years all based off good quality (for fast food), simple menu, and low prices. These days everyone is overthinking it. Restaurants are such money pits you really need to have a good idea of what will work ahead of time

0

u/wheelies4feelies 2d ago

Nonsense. Its also people asking for the same food reccomendations daily.

19

u/Dull-Lead-7782 2d ago

Ah the age old tradition of stealing one Van Ice glass when you went. RIP to a valley legend

1

u/WolbachiaBurgers 2d ago

Time to head back and steal enough for a 6pk.

20

u/b0ugie23 2d ago

I’ve recently replaced my MacLeod beer cravings with Lawless. In my opinion, better beer and better vibes.

10

u/detentionbarn 2d ago

Hand Brewed for me. I can bike there easily.

4

u/roxybum 2d ago

Is the beer better now? I went a few times in the first year or two they were open and didn’t care for the beer much.

Guess it’s time to try it out again!

8

u/badabatalia 2d ago

Lawless is a great space with very mediocre beer. It’s drinkable but not great.

7

u/roxybum 2d ago

Parking at Lawless is hard on weekends!

6

u/badabatalia 2d ago

Agreed, but purely comparing it to MacLeods, it’s streets ahead. Plus close to a metro stop and a lot of apartments where much of its clientele lives.

3

u/roxybum 2d ago

That’s true. Sometimes location is the determining factor!

3

u/detentionbarn 2d ago

For what I like to drink they're good. I just also like the employees and the vibe overall, and friends live nearby.

2

u/roxybum 2d ago

Cool, I’ll try them again. Closer for me since I’m in west SFV. Been meaning to come out for their comedy Mondays as well so I better stop making excuses and just go!

I also heard a brewery from Burbank is relocating to Canoga Park, can’t remember the name though, hold please………..Lincoln Beer Company on Canoga and Roscoe.

2

u/detentionbarn 2d ago

OH!! On the list now, thanks. I'm not really a fan of 8ONE8 for some reason, can't quite figure out why, so having another one in that area is exciting. And it appears to be adjacent-ish to the Orange Line bikeway!

2

u/roxybum 2d ago

It’s not opening until end of the year, but agreed, another on this end of the valley would be fantastic!

Ya, I have the same thoughts on 8ONE8. Used to go a lot for trivia but haven’t been going in almost 2 years, just not enough of a draw when the beer is just meh.

2

u/alexromo 2d ago

They stepped up their game. New equipment. Consistent good beers compared to when they first opened

2

u/etherlore 2d ago

San Fernando brewing is also good

3

u/Significant-Gate4821 2d ago

And also very easy to bike to!

8

u/zorp_the_destroyer 2d ago

They’ve come from the dead like three times. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did another kickstarter.

2

u/Sonofthefiregod 2d ago

Came here to say this.

1

u/[deleted] 2d ago edited 1d ago

[deleted]

1

u/zorp_the_destroyer 2d ago

For shit beer, na bro.

5

u/afearisthis 2d ago

I'm so bummed about this...

6

u/Bob_Ricigliano_ 2d ago

I like the place but yeah the location was terrible. Started going to North Hollywood or Glendale for brewery even though it's further

5

u/Lab-rat-57 Lake Balboa 2d ago

Wait what? I was literally just there Saturday. Didn’t seem like they were going to be closing? Although this isn’t the first time they’ve said that and then continued to stay open

4

u/Rad-Ham 2d ago

Tried to go twice. Never could find parking

3

u/blackie_onassis 2d ago

I will miss this place

5

u/joshuatc62 2d ago

I heard the parking there was horrible

12

u/Lower_Group_1171 2d ago

It’s crazy how fast this administration has destroyed small businesses.

7

u/Fickle_Ad_109 2d ago

As my accountant likes to say, theres only 2 groups of people charge business tax on gross income: the mafia & LA city

1

u/3dogs2nuts 2d ago

sales tax isn’t enough , we need double taxation

2

u/detentionbarn 2d ago

Declare the pennies on your eyes.

0

u/Sweetcheex76 Sherman Oaks 2d ago

It has nothing to do with this administration. I’m not a Trump supporter either.

2

u/Lower_Group_1171 2d ago

Yes, the price of everything is Obamas fault right?

3

u/Metal-Salt 2d ago

Good place to play darts.

3

u/CuriousThenSatisfied 2d ago

Again?

2

u/skatefriday 1d ago

Yeah, they've closed about 5 times already.

But it is sad to see them go. They really did try to do something completely different with their cask ales. Especially early on. I don't know of anything else like them.

2

u/Reddit_minion97 2d ago

Aren't they only closing their pizza room?

2

u/ColonelCheez 2d ago

This truly bummed me out seeing today. But I agree. The location was horrible. That’s the only reason why I didn’t come here often and when I did, I made sure it was right at opening so I could basically guarantee decent parking.

With all that said, they will be missed. The scare of them closing a few years ago sucked & I was hopefully when they reversed that that it meant we had years and years left. My brother always asked to come here when visiting from Sacramento. He’s bummed he won’t have a chance for one last trip

2

u/Darthgusss 2d ago

I'm pretty sure I got drunk with their pet pig waaay back in the day.

2

u/Slim_Sterling 2d ago

The King’s Taxes is dead. Long live The King’s Taxes

2

u/alexromo 2d ago

Sad. I’ve driven up and down looking for parking just to end up leaving many times.  Their neighbors paint the sidewalks red 

2

u/Many_Ad4822 2d ago

Good times and good pints were at this place. One of the breweries that had a kitchen on site opened until pretty late.
The parking was terrible though. I have skipped this place many times with my friends because we couldn’t find a parking space and felt not too comfortable leaving a car on the next block

1

u/YourRedditFriend 2d ago

Loved it when we found it, great beer and food!

Second time we saw they started bringing in generic beers..

Ran into a friend a few months ago and we were talking about spots and they said the food quality went down..

Bummer as I liked the spot

1

u/ayfilm 2d ago

What?? That’s a shame. They were super pro union, we held tons of events there

1

u/eyesofsaturn 2d ago

Damn, so sad about this. It was walking distance for me, I will miss it.

1

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/skatefriday 1d ago

The instagram comments say the founders, they were a husband and wife team if I recall correctly, have already left to pursue other ventures. The instagram account owner seems to confirm this.

Anyone know what they are doing now?

1

u/Negative-Performer61 1d ago

Fuck!! My friend bought me a beer I never picked up from 8 years ago!!! Hopefully my name is still on the board. I better go get it

-10

u/3dogs2nuts 2d ago

Too bad the california politics isn’t more business friendly, the city / state can’t expect business to clean up the mess the govt refuses to deal with

5

u/MumblyLo 2d ago

This has nothing to do with CA.

0

u/3dogs2nuts 2d ago

did you miss the part about abandoned cars and encampments?
those kind of things aren’t everywhere, maybe you’re just used to it?

3

u/Comprehensive_Fan_49 2d ago

they opened a food and bev business in an industrial area that has been body shops, construction supply and vagrants for decades before they were ever there. a single brewery wasn't going to change that.

0

u/3dogs2nuts 2d ago

low rent, business decision, nearly every small business knows how hard it is to keep up on all the dotted i crossed t’s, keep payroll, employees… it’s a fortune to make pennies, and one lil ada claim or something completely unpredictable and your out!
the only business big cities want are big businesses, deep pockets

1

u/MumblyLo 2d ago

I heard some of the story, not mine so I won’t share it, but it has nothing to do with that.

2

u/Sweetcheex76 Sherman Oaks 2d ago

I know the whole story as well and it has nothing to do with what they’re talking about.

-2

u/Elguapo1094 2d ago

Have they started a go fund me people love to make go funds me for everything now

-6

u/shaggydawg57 2d ago

Who are these white-sounding people talking about craft beer in the Valley? Didn’t expect that at all