The county's original brewpub, English Ales, to bid farewell.

Come Sunday, Monterey County’s original brewpub will be no more.

According to a post on social media, Mark Francis has decided to shutter English Ales, a mainstay in Marina since it opened in 2000. Francis cites “significant loss of business, and a tough market environment.”

English Ales will close Nov. 23.

Francis assumed ownership from founders Peter and Rosemary Blackwell on April 1, 2025. In July he released his first new beer, a red ale prepared in the British style.

“I wanted people to know I’m not just making some random California-style beer,” he said at the time. “Legacy matters.”

Since it opened 24 years ago, the brewpub had featured signature English-style beers, and Francis kept the core labels on tap. Those beers helped attract a following that included more than 1,500 members of its “Mug Club.”

Francis urged Mug Club members to drop by for one last round—or more—and to keep the prized vessel as a souvenir.

“We’d love to share one final toast together,” he wrote.

Over the past 25 years, the brewery scene in Monterey County has grown, adding Peter B’s in Monterey, followed by heavyweights like Alvarado Street (Monterey, Carmel and Salinas), Other Brother in Seaside, Hops and Fog in Pacific Grove, Carmel’s Hidden Hills and others.

Meanwhile, Dust Bowl and Fieldwork opened taphouses. The craft beer destination Post No Bills expanded to two locations and, more recently the Brass Tap, a taphouse chain, created a stir in Marina.