MacLeod Ale Plots New Valley Brewpub Concept With Tipple & Brine's Richard DiSisto

There could well be more MacLeod Ale Brewing coming to a location near you soon, as owners Jennifer and Alastair Boase are apparently partnering up with Tipple & Brine / Tunnel Bar owner Richard DiSisto to craft a brand new brewpub concept. DiSisto acts as managing partner, along with investor/partner Jerry Cohen.

Dubbed MacLeod Alehouse, the idea is to expand on the sort of beer that Van Nuys-based MacLeod already delivers, while expanding the repertoire to potentially include taps for other breweries. There will of course also a food component (which is where DiSisto’s longtime expertise comes in), meant to be casual and easygoing.

That’s pretty much in line with what DiSisto was saying when he turned off the lights at Downtown Johnny’s late last month: that he’d like to focus on projects he really believes in, rather than going maximalist just because he’s got the space. He's also hoping to expand the MacLeod Alehouse brand to more than just one location.

MacLeod Ale is, for those not in the know, an old world-style British brewery, which produces what’s known colloquially as real ale — cask or bottle-finished beers that are carbonated without the use of CO2. Through the time-consuming process, the brewery is able to serve casked and kegged versions of stouts, pale ales, IPAs, and more. They currently operate a daily evening brewery in Van Nuys, but in lieu of food routinely offer food trucks on site.

There’s no confirmed first location for the MacLeod Alehouse concept, but word is it will definitely be in the San Fernando Valley, where DiSisto long made a living, and where MacLeod (the brewery) currently resides.