Native Son LA: A Craft Brewery for Beer People

DTLA has no shortage of breweries, but to our delight Native Son LA is a new addition at the former Modern Times Dankness Dojo space on Olive between 8th and 9th (832 S. Olive). The original Native Son brewery is in Santa Ana.

          My friend and I visited on a Wednesday evening and were met with a surprise: a speed-dating event was taking place! We moved to the back where the taps were lined up behind the bar. Our bartender was knowledgeable with recommendations - pointing out the staff favorites and the latest brew. I took her suggestion on a hazy IPA while my friend ordered a stout, both were very enjoyable. We kicked back and inevitably stayed until closing. After this great experience, I connected with the owner, Jon Sanchez.

         What was your inspiration behind creating Native Son?

         JS: I spent 5 years traveling around the country working for Nestle, and it was craft beer from my native Southern California that gave me a sense of home.  I searched out breweries like Stone, Green Flash, and Lagunitas in Philadelphia, Charlotte, and San Francisco.  When I moved to San Francisco, I visited Lagunitas and Russian River Breweries regularly and my fandom increased exponentially.  I left Nestle to venture into this industry that I loved so much by starting a craft beer bar back in my native land of OC/LA.  I found an incredibly unique location in Downtown Santa Ana, a rooftop office space ripe for converting into OC's best beer bar.  

         What about DTLA made you want to expand to DTLA?

         JS: We ran with one location until 2019 when we opened our Native Son IE location in Rancho Cucamonga inside Haven City Food Hall.  In early 2022 we heard of Modern Times' hardships and reached out to acquire their Los Angeles brewpub on Olive.  We loved the "Dankness Dojo" and wanted to keep this unique space alive in Downtown LA.

         What makes Native Son unique to other breweries?

         JS: We started this brewery because we are beer people almost a decade ago, and it was time we added to the industry with our own take on adventurous craft beers.  Look for great collaborations as we invite our brewery friends to create some magic in Downtown LA.

By Jessica Kasbaum