Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

What Speakeasy Ales & Lagers does

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is a craft brewery founded in 1997 in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, producing and selling beer across direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels. Its product portfolio is anchored by a year-round core lineup of Prohibition Ale (GABF award-winning amber ale), Big Daddy IPA (West Coast-style IPA representing 40% of brewery sales since 1999), Metropolis Lager, Mystic Haze (New England Hazy IPA added in 2019), and Helles To The Chief (silver medal winner at the LA International Beer Competition). Beyond the core lineup, Speakeasy maintains a limited release slate (Hunters Point Fresh monthly IPA series, Blind Tiger Imperial IPA, Fest Bier), a vault of barrel-aged specialty beers (Syndicate Series vintage ales aged 12+ months in bourbon barrels, Scarface Imperial Stout, Old Godfather Barleywine), and a direct taproom experience at 1195 Evans Avenue offering fresh draft, growlers, crowlers, and themed private event spaces.

The brewery's production technology centers on a 60-barrel brewhouse installed during a 2015 expansion that replaced an original 15-barrel system and added a centrifuge, malt handling system, canning line, and 1,200 barrels of additional fermentation capacity. Operations rely on conventional craft brewing inputs (premium malts from Admiral Maltings and other suppliers, multiple hop varietals, bourbon barrel aging for specialty releases) rather than proprietary technical platforms. The brand identity is built on 1920s Prohibition-era gangster theming, including an iconic eyes logo with registered trademarks across core SKUs.

Speakeasy's business model is a hybrid DTC-plus-wholesale construct. Revenue is generated through three streams: taproom draft sales (onsite consumption plus growlers and crowlers), packaged beer sales (6-packs, 12oz bottles and cans, 19.2oz stovepipe cans) distributed through more than 20 wholesale partners across the West Coast and United States, and private event bookings (Big Daddy's Lounge, The Syndicate Office, full Taproom Takeover). Since 2017, the company has operated as part of Hunters Point Brewery LLC, founded by former Horizon Beverage Company owner Ces Butner, while retaining the Speakeasy brand identity, taproom, and SF Bayview-Hunters Point community focus.

Name

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

Legal name

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

Website

https://goodbeer.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is an e-store that retails beers, clothes, glassware, and brewing cans along with event management services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer / Brewery

NAICS

Breweries (31212)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082)

akta.pro primary industry

Microbreweries & Craft Breweries (THAFALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Taprooms & Brewpubs (CRANACAF), Regional & National Breweries (THAFALAD)

Keywords

• Craft brewery
• Beer production
• Taproom services
• Barrel-aged ales
• Craft beer distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Taproom Draft Sales: On-site draft beer sales at 1195 Evans Avenue taproom. Sells fresh draft beer for onsite consumption, plus growlers and crowlers for off-site.
2. Packaged Beer Sales: Canned and bottled beer sold through distribution network of 20+ distributors across West Coast and United States. Formats include 6-packs, 12oz bottles, 12oz cans, and 19.2oz stovepipe cans.
3. Private Events: Revenue from private room reservations and taproom takeovers, including Big Daddy's Lounge, The Syndicate Office, and full Taproom Takeover events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is a San Francisco craft brewery founded in 1997 that brews and sells a portfolio of year-round, seasonal, and barrel-aged beers. The company sells its products through an on-site taproom at 1195 Evans Avenue (growlers, crowlers, draft), a wholesale network of 20+ distributors across the West Coast and the U.S., and hosts private events in themed taproom spaces.

Product overview

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is a craft brewery founded in San Francisco in 1997, operating in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. The company produces a portfolio of beers centered around a core lineup of year-round offerings including Prohibition Ale (GABF award-winning amber ale, 6.1% ABV), Big Daddy IPA (flagship West Coast IPA, 6.5% ABV, representing 40% of sales), Metropolis Lager (5.3% ABV), Mystic Haze (New England Hazy IPA, 7.1% ABV, launched 2019), and Helles To The Chief (Helles Lager, 5.7% ABV). The portfolio extends into limited release seasonal and experimental beers (Blind Tiger Imperial IPA, Safehouse Saison), a vault of retired and specialty barrel-aged beers (Syndicate Series barrel-aged vintage ales, Scarface Imperial Stout, Old Godfather Barleywine), and a Hunters Point Fresh monthly IPA series. The company operates a taproom for on-site consumption and provides distributor materials including sell sheets and product assets. In 2017, Speakeasy was acquired by Hunters Point Brewery, founded by former Horizon Beverage Company owner Ces Butner.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Prohibition Ale Founding amber ale poured ruby with complex aroma of baking spices, dark dried fruit, and candied caramel malts. 6.1% ABV. Sold year-round through taproom and wholesale distribution.
• Big Daddy IPA Flagship West Coast-style IPA with heavy-handed dry-hopping producing grassy, piney, resinous aromatic notes. 6.5% ABV. Sold year-round through taproom and wholesale distribution.
• Metropolis Lager German-style pale golden lager dry-hopped with Noble, Pacific Northwest, and Hallertau Blanc hops; balanced with floral notes and subtle bitterness. 5.3% ABV. Sold year-round.
• Mystic Haze New England-style Hazy IPA with pear, red apple, grapefruit, and herbal dankness notes; dry hopped with Bravo and Calypso hops. 7.1% ABV. Sold year-round on draft and in 12oz cans.
• Helles To The Chief Helles Lager brewed as an ode to traditional German lagers; brewed with West Coast hops. 5.7% ABV. Silver medal winner at 2019 LA International Beer Competition.
• Blind Tiger Imperial IPA Imperial IPA billed as the hoppiest beer ever brewed with over 10 pounds of hops per barrel; Citra, Chinook, Simcoe, Centennial hops. 100+ IBUs, 9.5%+ ABV. Limited release.
• Safehouse Saison Belgian and French farmhouse-style saison brewed with Wallonian yeast, whole black peppercorns, and Hallertau hops. 6.2% ABV. Limited release.
• Hunters Point Fresh IPA Series Monthly rotating IPA series exclusive to San Francisco accounts and the taproom, showcasing innovative hop-forward beers including Admiral Haze (Mosaic/Huell Melon, 6.7% ABV) and Bayview Brut IPA.
• Syndicate Series (Barrel-Aged Vintage Ales) Limited barrel-aged vintage ale series blending strong beers aged 12+ months in bourbon barrels. Each release is a unique blend with complex flavor profiles; over 10% ABV. Includes Syndicate Series Nos. 01-04.
• Taproom On-site taproom at 1195 Evans Avenue, San Francisco, serving fresh draft beer for onsite consumption and to-go growler/crowler fills. Includes private rooms (Big Daddy's Lounge, The Syndicate Office) and full Taproom Takeover for private events.
• Private Events Private event bookings at the taproom, including Big Daddy's Lounge (~5 capacity), The Syndicate Office (~8 capacity), and full Taproom Takeover (up to 48 guests). Booked through private events contact.

Quantifiable outcome

• Big Daddy IPA represents 40% of brewery's sales
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Project WrecklesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 July 2018San Francisco nonprofit capacity development program targeting at-risk youth in Bayview, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch areas. Speakeasy co-hosts annual Classic Car Show featuring pre-1974 cars at the brewery, with all proceeds benefiting Project Wreckless youth programming through classic car restoration curriculum.
• Admiral MaltingscoreTechnology or IntegrationCalifornia's first small-batch barley malting facility since prohibition. Provides artisanal malts (Admiral Pils, Admiral Hearth, Admiral Seven) used in multiple Speakeasy beers including Admiral Haze, Blood Oath, and Fest Bier.
• Philz CoffeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for Payback Coffee Porter, brewed with Philz Coffee's Aromatic Arabic dark roast blend. Also partnered at 21st anniversary celebration event.
• Dandelion ChocolateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal San Francisco chocolate maker. Collaborated on Gilded Ale golden stout with gold glitter, featuring Dandelion Chocolate cocoa nibs for 21st anniversary celebration.
• Humphry SlocombeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Francisco artisan ice cream maker. Partnered for 21st anniversary celebration event.
• San Francisco Brewers GuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association with Speakeasy Head Brewer Phil Cutti serving as current president. Guild supports local craft beer community and events including San Francisco Beer Week collaborations.
• Local Food VendorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVarious local food vendors including El Taquero, Long Bridge Pizza, Samara Southern Creations partner for events, pop-ups, and taproom food offerings.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• 21st Amendment Brewery: San Francisco-based craft brewery founded in 2000 with a taproom and national distribution, directly comparable to Speakeasy in geography, scale (~60-70 employees), and product range (IPAs, lagers, seasonal specialties).
• Anchor Brewing Company: Historic San Francisco craft brewery (founded 1896) with strong national brand recognition, iconic packaging, and broad portfolio; comparable to Speakeasy as a legacy SF craft brand with a beloved flagship and taproom heritage.
• Russian River Brewing Company: Sonoma County craft brewery with cult-classic IPAs and barrel-aged sours; comparable to Speakeasy as a Northern California craft brewery with strong brand identity, broad distribution, and a public-facing taproom experience.
• Bear Republic Brewing Company: Northern California craft brewery known for its flagship Racer 5 IPA; comparable to Speakeasy as a regional craft peer with a flagship-IPA-driven business and SF Bay Area distribution presence.
• Alvarado Street Brewery: California craft brewery with national distribution and a strong hazy/IPA lineup; comparable to Speakeasy as a private mid-sized CA craft peer competing for the same shelves and accounts.

Broad incumbents

• Lagunitas Brewing Company: Petaluma-based craft brewery (acquired by Heineken in 2017) with national distribution and an iconic IPA; comparable to Speakeasy as a Northern California craft peer with similar West Coast IPA heritage and acquisition by a larger strategic.
• Firestone Walker Brewing Company: Paso Robles craft brewery with national distribution and a strong barrel-aged program; comparable to Speakeasy as a California craft peer with similar IPA + barrel-aged vintage ale portfolio structure.
• Stone Brewing: Large California craft brewery with strong IPAs and national distribution; comparable to Speakeasy as a West Coast craft powerhouse that competes for comparable drinkers and shelf space.
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Iconic California craft brewery (Chico/Asheville) with top-tier national distribution and a strong IPA portfolio; comparable to Speakeasy as a scaled California craft benchmark for production capacity and reach.

Emerging players

• Headlands Brewing Company: Marin County craft brewery founded by Phil Cutti (now Speakeasy's Head Brewer); comparable as a Bay Area craft peer with overlapping leadership DNA and a focus on the North California craft community.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/speakeasytaps
• Instagraminstagram.com/speakeasybeer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Speakeasy Ales & Lagers