Left Coast Brewing Company – family-owned and -operated in San Clemente since 2004 – produces more than 11,000 barrels of beer annually. General Manager Tommy Hadjis and his team opened a second location at Sand Canyon Plaza in 2018. The spot includes a brewery, distillery and smokehouse.

A third location recently opened, proving expansion is in the genes. Brothers George and John Hadjis – Tommy’s late father and uncle, respectively – also founded Oggi’s Pizza and Brewing Company, which has grown to 15 locations over its 35 years.

Left Coast’s Sand Canyon location is known for its Kansas City-style smoked brisket sandwich and fried pickles. Also offered: a half dozen Left Coast spirits – including limited-production bourbon, single-malt whiskey and reposado agave spirits – and a dozen beers from Blonde Marvel ale to Voo Doo stout.

Left Coast’s Trunk Box American-Style Brown Ale won a gold medal at last year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, considered the nation’s most prestigious beer competition.

What made you choose Irvine?

We’d been looking at multiple locations. We ultimately came here because the Irvine Company had precisely the same vision we did – to bring lots of life to the center.

Who were the target customers?

They envisioned the people with the cool jobs at the nearby high-tech and gaming companies looking for a place for lunch, for after work and for company parties. Bandai Namco, as in Pac-Man and Tekken, is right behind us. A statue of its Elden Ring character pretty much lives in our event space.

What does it mean to win gold at the premier beer event in the nation?

So many times, you put your best foot forward, you make an amazing beer, but the competition is so, so stiff – you might be going up against 300 others doing the same style of beer.

How do you win that?

First, you’ve got to make an awesome beer, technically sound, no flaws. Then you need a little bit of luck. The judges are knowledgeable, but they’re just people. When you do win, you’re on top of the world.

What ways does Left Coast reach out to the community?

We often donate beer or food for events in the business parks. Our Anteater Lager is the official craft beer of UC Irvine – we’re on campus for all the sporting events. We have arts and crafts nights. Trivia is huge, between 20 and 30 teams – unless you’re coming for trivia, don’t come on Wednesdays.