Only four of California's 10 largest craft breweries saw sales increases in 2024, and San Diego's Pizza Port is one of them, Brewers Association data shows.

Why it matters: The local establishment is growing even as the industry is shrinking nationwide, with craft breweries closing, sales plummeting and a shift in alcohol consumption.

By the numbers: Several craft brewers around the state struggled last year, but not as much as in other well-established beer scenes like Oregon and Colorado.

• Coronado Brewing saw the biggest dip in sales at 11%, while AleSmith held steady.
• Pizza Port and Russian River Brewing, in Northern California, saw 9% growth.
• Sierra Nevada, by far the state's largest craft brewer, saw a 2% increase.

The intrigue: Smaller local spots took big hits, with Ballast Point dropping 60% and Belching Beaver dropping 20%.

• Yes, but: The Lost Abbey saw a 164% growth in sales last year.

Zoom in: Pizza Port, one of San Diego's original craft breweries and the fourth-largest in the state, has focused on selling a "world-class product at a fair price," CFO Jesse Cardella told Axios.

• IPAs are the most dominant style of beer, he said, which the team has leaned in by cranking out five seasonal IPAs every year rather than chasing other trends like seltzers.
• To sustain its growth, Pizza Port also took over a brewing facility in San Marcos in 2023 that added about 40% to its capacity.

State of play: More than 50 breweries closed across the state last year, while 24 opened.

• The closures include 11 local spots like Border X in Barrio Logan, but their beers are still pouring at the women-run Mujeres Brew House.
• It's difficult to become profitable in California with high real estate prices, operating costs, insurance and minimum wages, San Diego Brewers Guild executive director Erik Fowler said.

The bottom line: While the industry may have peaked and demand has flattened, independent local brewers remain part of San Diego's culture.

• "Craft beer isn't a novelty," Fowler said. "It's a staple in people's fridges."

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Pizza Port's brewpub in Ocean Beach is a perfect spot to grab some beers and a slice after the beach.

Dig in: It's easy to find cans of their award-winning brews in local grocery stores, but you can't beat a crisp, cold draft on a warm summer night.

The latest: Pizza Port launched a new Coastin' Tropical IPA that'll be offered year-round.

• The hoppy, drinkable West Coast IPA blends papaya, grapefruit and passion fruit flavors.

What else to try: The seasonal Summer Visit IPA, Hawaii Hefeweizen, Chronic Amber and California Honey Blonde Ale will hit the spot.

• Their flagship beer is the Swami's IPA.

Best bites: The flavor-packed Pizza Monterey, topped with pepperoni, mushrooms, onions and artichokes, has a thick, fluffy crust and sauce on the sweeter side.

• Meat-lovers should go for the San Francisco pie.

Zoom out: Check out the other San Diego County locations in Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Bressi Ranch, Imperial Beach and San Marcos, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary.

⚖️ A San Diego federal judge ruled non-California residents can apply for concealed-carry gun permits in the state (Union-Tribune)

⚾️ Padres Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jason Adam were named to the National League squad for the MLB All-Star Game next week in Atlanta. (CBS8)

⚽️ San Diego FC lost only its second home game on Saturday with a tight 4-3 loss to the Houston Dynamo on a last-minute goal. (NBC7)

Gogo Charters is expanding its network to Southern California with a new daily bus route connecting San Diego to Los Angeles.

Why it matters: This will make it easier to travel up and down the coast by offering an alternative service to the popular but unreliable Surfliner train route and Greyhound buses.

Zoom in: The two-way bus service is expected to start in 2026, with fares starting at $10 and a dynamic pricing model based on trip length and availability.

• It will take passengers from the Westin San Diego Bayview downtown to the Carlsbad Premium Outlets and then The Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
• The route will also connect to Las Vegas and cities in Arizona.

The vibe: Gogo says passengers can expect a "comfortable ride on luxury motorcoaches" with reclining seats, WiFi, onboard restrooms and space for luggage.

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Walden Keyes captured this drone footage of July Fourth parties around Mission Bay last week.