By Miriam Raftery

Photos: BNS Brewery, Santee

June 18, 2017 (San Diego) – Already famed for producing among the best beers in the nation, San Diego now has the most craft brewing operations of any American city, according to a new report from the real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield.  America’s finest city now boasts 125 craft breweries, according to the report, which along with brew pubs popping up in urban neighborhoods are fueling the latest “cool trend” revitalizing communities.

By Ed Barrena



April 24, 2015 (Santee)--Some breweries are huge, some are small. Butcher's Brewing in Santee is a small microbrewery, however they serve nothing but big beers.

New column!  East County craft beers in your neighborhood

By Ed Barrena

May 4, 2014 (Santee)--BNS Brewing and Distilling Co. in Santee (www.bnsbrewinganddistilling.com) is a great brewery with an Old West appeal. I'd wager Wyatt Earp would probably want to tie his horse off next to the trophy trucks and motorcycles if he made a stop in East County. (Mr. Earp was known to play many a game of poker in what is now the Gaslamp).

The tasting room at BNS is a throwback to the days of the old saloons--and there is not a pint glass in the building, as most beers are served in mason jars. Above the bar hangs a vintage rifle and the tap heads are a mix of replica .50 caliber bullets and the stylish BNS logo.