Novo Brazil Brings Delicious Beer to San Diego

San Diego’s craft beer scene has matured. What was once a race to open the next tasting room has settled into something more selective, more competitive, and frankly, more interesting. Not every brewery that opened a decade ago is still relevant today — and that’s exactly why the ones that are deserve a closer look.

Novo Brazil Brewing is one of those rare cases.

Founded in Chula Vista and now operating multiple locations across San Diego County, Novo Brazil has quietly evolved from an ambitious newcomer into a serious regional player — without losing the cultural identity that made it stand out in the first place.

Novo Brazil Brewing Co.

Novo Brazil was founded by brothers Morise and Alessandro Gusmão, whose background in brewing wasn’t born out of trend-chasing, but technical training and international experience. Morise Gusmão’s formal brewing education — including advanced brewing studies — shows in the range and consistency of what Novo Brazil produces today.

What began in a converted industrial space in Chula Vista has since expanded thoughtfully, with locations that include Eastlake, Otay Ranch Town Center, and Imperial Beach. That growth matters. In a county crowded with breweries that struggled to scale beyond a single warehouse, Novo Brazil managed to do so without turning generic.

From Warehouse Brewery to Multi-Location Brand

I still remember the early Chula Vista space — tucked inside an industrial area, unassuming from the outside, and expansive once you stepped in. Stainless steel tanks dominated the room, and the layout leaned heavily into industrial design: concrete floors, exposed beams, and communal seating built from repurposed barrels and thick slabs of wood.

That DNA hasn’t disappeared — it’s been refined.

Today’s Novo Brazil locations feel intentional rather than improvised. They still embrace industrial elements, but with a more polished hospitality approach: better flow, clearer sightlines, and environments that work just as well for families, groups, or a solo beer at the bar.

A Beer Program That Refuses to Be One-Note

What continues to set Novo Brazil apart is its refusal to chase a single style. While San Diego will always love its IPAs, Novo Brazil never boxed itself in. Belgian-inspired styles, lagers, pilsners, session beers, and experimental releases all coexist on the menu — and do so convincingly.

Many of the beers still nod to Brazilian culture and language, but the novelty isn’t the point. The execution is. These are beers built with balance in mind, not just punch. Flights remain the smartest way to approach the lineup, especially for first-timers who want to understand the range without committing to a full pour.

Food, Community, and the Reality of Modern Brewing

In its early days, Novo Brazil leaned into food trucks and outside dining — a model that helped define San Diego brewery culture. Today, that flexibility remains part of the brand’s appeal, even as some locations offer more structured food options or are surrounded by dining destinations of their own.

What I appreciate most is that Novo Brazil understands the modern brewery isn’t just about beer anymore. It’s about atmosphere, accessibility, and staying relevant without abandoning your roots. That’s not easy — and plenty of breweries haven’t managed it.

Novo Brazil has.

Why Novo Brazil Still Matters

In a city where brewery turnover is real and consumer expectations are higher than ever, Novo Brazil’s staying power says more than any medal or headline ever could. It’s a brewery that grew up alongside San Diego’s beer scene — adapting when necessary, expanding when it made sense, and keeping quality at the center of the conversation.

Not every early craft brewery gets this part right.

Novo Brazil did.

Here are some other articles related to your search:

• The Best Burger and Brewery Pairings
• Vote for the Best Brewery in San Diego
• Top 5 Irish Pubs in San Diego