San Diego’s craft beer scene is taking a major step into the fastest-growing segment of the industry. This Saturday, July 18th, Monday Morning will open it’s pioneering non-alcoholic bottle shop, The Lab. In what has become a very changing landscape when it comes to adult consumption, The Lab is San Diego County’s (and California’s) first dedicated non-alcoholic contract brewery and taproom.
Located in the former Creative Creature Brewing space at 1784 La Costa Meadows Drive #103, San Marcos, The Lab brings brewing expertise to the N/A category. The facility is run by three professional brewers with roughly 40 years of combined experience and is built exclusively for non-alcoholic production, which means that there is literally no alcohol on site and no liquor license required. This opens the doors for those who still want that social experience of a brewery or bar, but with alternative beverages that allow them to enjoy that type of setting, while doing it in an alcohol-free environment.
A New Kind of Brewery for a Growing Category
The Lab isn’t just another taproom. It’s a full-scale contract brewing operation designed to serve both consumers and other breweries. Through a transparent online platform, brands can build their own batch, receive an instant quote, have it reviewed by experienced brewers, and track the entire process from grain to can.
Production capabilities include:
- Main runs from 10 to 40 barrels
- A 7-barrel pilot line for R&D and small batches
- Total capacity of roughly 280 barrels per month (about 3,400 barrels annually)
The first house beer pouring at opening is Haymaker, a crisp, hop-forward Non-Alcoholic West Coast IPA that showcases what’s possible when real brewing talent focuses on the N/A space.
Beyond production, the taproom offers fresh N/A drafts on pour, a crowler machine for takeaway, a pool table, and a curated selection of Monday Morning’s best-selling non-alcoholic beers and functional drinks. The Lab will launch with a strong focus on non-alcoholic beer, partnering with local breweries to help create NA options that better serve the growing sober and sober-curious community. Coffee and tea will also be part of the lineup, with functional beverages expected to follow as partnerships with select brands take shape.
“We want to help our local breweries make their own non-alcoholic beer, so their customers can keep enjoying the beers they love. The category is outgrowing the infrastructure behind it, and we built The Lab to change that,” Founder Zane Curtis sees The Lab as more than just a new venue, it’s infrastructure the entire craft beer world needs.
Monday Morning already operates two popular San Diego tasting rooms in Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach, along with wholesale distribution. The Lab adds a major production and experiential hub to their growing footprint.
As the demand for sophisticated alcohol-free options continues to grow, The Lab is redefining what a beverage destination can be. Whether visitors are committed to a sober lifestyle, sober-curious, or simply looking to explore something new, they’ll find an experience built around discovery, community, and exceptional craftsmanship. With an ever-evolving lineup of innovative drinks, interactive tastings, and a welcoming atmosphere, The Lab invites everyone to raise a glass, in what is becoming an increasingly popular way to do so, alcohol-free.