Presidio Eats: Fort Point Beer in the Presidio

Founded in 2014, Fort Point Beer Company is an award-winning, local brewery focused on creating balanced, approachable beers. While they have a retail location at San Francisco’s Ferry Building, their brewing facilities are right here in the Presidio in a historic Crissy Field building that was once used as an Army motor pool. Not only is their name Presidio-centric, but their beer contains water from Lobos Creek, the Presidio’s primary water source. You can find their beer at some of the best restaurants in the City, including many restaurants and cafes in the Presidio.

To help celebrate local beer, we talked with co-founder and CEO Justin Catalana about the history of Fort Point and why he decided the Presidio was the perfect place to brew beer.

How did Fort Point Beer Company get its start?

Before there was Fort Point Beer Company, there was Mill Valley Beerworks, a restaurant and brewpub in Mill Valley, CA opened by my brother Tyler and myself in 2009. The success of Beerworks’ program and its focus on balanced flavors proved to be the true genesis of Fort Point Beer Company and the recipes brewed in the Presidio facility today. But the company was officially born once we saw the space at Crissy Field – we’re in a pretty amazing location to be making beer.

Why did you decide to name your label after its Presidio-centric location?

As soon as we secured the space in the Presidio, the name Fort Point quickly came together. It’s a historically significant landmark, a beautiful piece of architecture, and a meaningful part of San Francisco culture. Fort Point just struck the right balance of distinguished, memorable, and distinctly local.

What’s your favorite thing about making beer in the Presidio?

We love our neighbors and being a part of this unique community. Where else can you find a climbing gym, a trampoline park, a brewery, museums, and world-class art exhibitions all in one place? The Presidio curates an amazing community of organizations, a group that we’re proud to be a part of.

​For more information about dining around the park, visit our website >>