The Rise of Highland Park Brewery: from Hermosillo Roots to Chinatown Stardom
By 2017, the York Boulevard system could no longer satisfy Southern California's demand. Kunz secured a spacious industrial property on Spring Street in Chinatown, directly adjacent to the newly opened Los Angeles State Historic Park. Opening in March 2018, the Chinatown taproom gave HPB 9,000 square feet of functional space, allowing the installation of a custom 15-barrel brewhouse, expansive horizontal lagering tanks, and a fully realized canning line.
| Operational Metric | York Boulevard (2014, 2017) | Chinatown Taproom (2018, Present) |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing System Capacity | 7-barrel brewhouse | 15-barrel brewhouse + horizontal lagering cellars |
| Footprint & Seating | 700 sq. ft. backroom inside The Hermosillo | 9,000 sq. ft. facility with tasting room patio |
| Food & Hospitality Model | Bar snacks provided by Hermosillo kitchen | Full scratch kitchen (burgers, tacos, seasonal fare) |
| Draft Beer Menu Scope | 4, 6 house drafts shared with guest handles | 18, 24 rotating house drafts, side-pour taps, cans |
The Chinatown location shifted HPB from a hidden brewing collective into an urban destination. Rather than treating food as an afterthought, the team built a scratch kitchen delivering elevated comfort food: smash burgers with house-made pickles, crisp fried chicken sandwiches, and vegetarian dishes that complemented the beer program. The sprawling tasting room patio allowed guests to enjoy cold pours under the California sun with views of the DTLA skyline, creating an inclusive atmosphere that drew casual neighborhood walkers alongside dedicated beer tourists.
