USA, CA: Simi Valley Brewing Company set to open in early 2026

Simi Valley Brewing Company is set to open in early 2026 at a former Marie Callender’s site at 20 W. Cochran St. in Simi Valley, Moorpark Acorn reported on August 16.

The 8,400-square-foot space will feature on-site beer production, a full kitchen focused on barbecue, and an outdoor patio with live music and casual dining. It will be the only brewery in Simi Valley, but not the first.

The project is the brainchild of a trio of industry veterans with deep local roots: Ali Zia, co-founder and former CEO of Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. and Bottle & Pint in Thousand Oaks; Phil Adler, the restaurateur behind Freda’s Pizza & Woodfired Kitchen, with locations in Moorpark, Camarillo, and Westlake Village; and Daniel Price, a respected head brewer with over a decade of experience at Beachwood Brewing and Riip Beer Company.

“We are incredibly excited to bring this project to life in Simi Valley,” said Ali Witwit, co-founder and COO of Simi Valley Brewing.

“We want to create a space where the community can gather with their families and enjoy a wide variety of food and drink. Under Ali (Zia’s) leadership and with Daniel and Phil spearheading the brewhouse and restaurant, we’re hopeful we can make Simi proud,” Witwit said.

The menu will feature not only barbecue, but also vegetarian-friendly dishes, handcrafted cocktails, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. The team says the space is designed to serve as a com- munity gathering spot, with indoor and outdoor areas tailored for connection and entertainment.

Construction is expected to begin later this year.

“The community has had its eye on this location for quite a while, and we’re excited to see it come back to life with a concept that’s fresh, local, and centered around community,” Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh said.

While the concept may be those things, it’s not new.

The site had previously been slated for a different brewery, Mad Era Brewing Company, but it never opened.

In 2018, Mad Era began posting updates to Facebook, with the community celebrating each step forward: building plan submission, roll-up door installation, tiling, plumbing, placement of equipment in the brewhouse. The posts stopped in May of 2022, however, and the building at the corner of Cochran Street and Madera Road has stood vacant, the black and white Mad Era sign attached to the property’s fence fading.

While the new venture is generating excitement, it’s not the first brewery to make its mark in Simi Valley. In the 1990s, Joe-Joe’s Brewing Co. and Doc’s Brew Pub & Restaurant both operated in the city, offering earlier glimpses into the local craft beer scene.

Simi Valley Brewing Company can be found on Instagram at @SimiValleyBC and on Facebook at Simi Valley Brewing Company. A full website is expected to launch soon at simivalleybc.com.

“Simi Valley Brewing Company is a great example of the growing opportunities to shop local, support homegrown businesses, and enjoy new dining and entertainment experiences that reflect the energy and vibrancy of our city,” the mayor said.

16 August, 2025