Devil's Canyon Brewing Company

Jesus Christ, it took a decade. Ten goddamn years of circling the same drain — chasing shadows, hunting ghosts, pulling tap lists like tarot cards hoping to see the Devil’s face. And there he was — the Scotch Ale. Always the Scotch Ale. Popping up like a bad memory in the back pages of chain restaurant menus. A local brew with no known lair. No taproom, no public hours, just a PO Box and a few muttered legends from bartenders with thousand-yard stares.

They called it Devil’s Canyon. A name that sounds like a theme park ride or a place you lose your soul and wake up three counties away with someone else’s ID. The brewery existed, technically. But their open hours read like instructions for summoning an ancient god — every fourth Friday, on a blood moon, while reciting Tom Petty lyrics backwards. Always some bullshit excuse. “Closed for a private event.” “Inventory day.” “Come back in June, maybe.”

I wasn’t having it.

This wasn’t beer anymore — this was destiny, fueled by spite and just enough dehydration to start hallucinating signs. And on a cursed Monday morning, in the bleached-out parking lot of the San Carlos industrial dead zone, the gates to hell creaked open.

10:24 AM.
I arrived like a war refugee — sunburnt, overcaffeinated, sweating out the weekend. Tech workers fled as I approached, wide-eyed and grinning, like I had seen the void and brought back souvenirs.

The inside? A warehouse masquerading as a temple. Kegs stacked like munitions, flight lists written by someone either brave or clinically insane.

First round: Kolsch. Light. Cold. Suspicious. Like the bartender didn’t trust me yet.
Second: Mexican Lager. Decent enough. Hints of lime and regret.
Then the IPAs. Jesus. Bitter bombs designed to short-circuit the nervous system and make you forget your first name. One had the mouthfeel of a pinecone dipped in battery acid. Beautiful.
And finally, the Devil.
The Scotch Ale. Dark, smooth, heavy like guilt. It didn’t taste like the past — it was the past. Caramel, smoke, and some kind of weird redemption. This was it. The final round of a prize fight I didn’t know I’d been in for years. I drained it with the solemnity of a man burying a friend.
Then I walked out. No goodbye, no look back. Just the oppressive sun and a sense that something cosmic had been settled. The Devil didn’t win. But he smiled.

Bottom Line:
If you find yourself in San Carlos with time to kill, a strong liver, and an urge to tango with a ghost — Devil’s Canyon is your proving ground. Don’t bother checking the hours. Just show up and will it open.

And if it doesn’t? Good. You weren’t ready anyway.

 

This manager/owner is a horrible person. Very rude to others; greedy and selfish. Not compassionate or understanding, does not work well with others.. I will never buy from devils canyon again, nor will I support this business in San Carlos.

The beer brewing/event space is very well-designed, even pretty. Loads of open space. It's usually full of young parents and children, and they have food trucks out back. Beer isn't spectacular, especially for the asking price.

 

This is a review of the actual brewery location rather than the beer (which is average to below average).

The brewery is open on the last Friday of every month and is a great place to enjoy the night in an otherwise quite town (Belmont/San Carlos). They have live music, a large area outside, and a plethora of Taco Trucks supplied by Off-The-Grid.

I look forward to the beer improving (their root beer is actually great) and last I heard, they are going to start opening up every Friday starting November.

 

 

 

A great spot! Don't miss Beer Friday events, for sure. The whole community comes out for pints, live music, and food trucks. These guys make great beer and have a nice, varied selection. My favorites are the Full Boar Scotch Ale and their Habanero Ale. There ain't much of a beer scene mid-peninsula but Devil's Canyon is a big and important part of it.

Was able to walk in and immediately strike up a conversation with fellow patrons and the bartenders about the beer being served and the methods by which they were made. Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable topping off the beer selection and quality perfectly.

I was able to walk out of here with two growlers filled with excellent beer, some resources for home brewing, and the healthy glow from trying all the beers.

Recommended.