A year ago, Harland Brewing Company debuted the Crone Zone American lager, a partnership with San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth.
Cofounder and CEO of Harland Brewing, Jeff Hansson, said the alliance “was the most organic collaboration they have ever done,” after Cronenworth was seen wearing Harland caps during interviews and press conferences before and after games.
“He is just a fan that likes the brand,” Hansson said, adding that Cronenworth’s manager reached out to him and his team because Cronenworth wanted to create his own beer with Harland Brewing.
“We were like, ‘Absolutely,’” Hansson said. “We would love to do a beer with Jake. And it just turns out that he’s an incredible human, such a humble guy. I mean, he’s been a perfect partner to do a beer with.”
This organic collaboration is one example of how Hansson and his business partner and cofounder for Harland Brewing, Anthony Levas, have found success.
Harland Brewing started in 2018, after Hansson had worked at the Boston Beer Company as a manager, Coronado Brewing Company as a sales director and Saint Archer as their vice president, where he worked with Levas until 2016.
Hansson said he wanted to start his own brewery because he loves the ingenuity of making beer.
“I’m not a professional brewer,” Hansson said. “We have incredible brewers at Harland for that, but the creative process around making the beers is what I love because it’s almost like culinary-inspired, where you can use different ingredients and pair them with food. And so I got very interested in beer in that way.”
He also said he loves how beer brings people together, as it did with Levas and Cronenworth.
“It’s a bunch of small, like-minded people who want to create, and it’s very collaborative, and it’s fun,” Hansson said. “You can do anything with beer. Everyone wants to talk to the beer guy. So I just gravitated towards the creative side of the business, and I gravitated towards salesmanship and execution at retail. There are so many incredible people in this industry, and I’ve made some of my best friends for life in the beer industry.”
Since being founded eight years ago, Harland now has three tasting rooms in Bay Park, South Park and Scripps Ranch, where the company brews their four beers: the Crone Zone, a hazy IPA, a west coast IPA and a Japanese lager.
Harland Brewing’s newest venture is scheduled to open before the start of this summer, Hansson said. The company is taking over a new 2,000-square-foot clubhouse space at the Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice Center that will be a full-service restaurant.
“We are going to sell beverages and food for the entire course,” Hansson said. “So that is going to be more of an experiential concept for us, (but) we’re very, very excited about that project.”
In January, Harland opened a full-service restaurant in 4S Ranch to expand on the small counter food service existing at its South Park and Scripps Ranch locations.
“We’ve always wanted to get into a full-service restaurant and just really continue to increase our capabilities on the hospitality side of our business,” he said. “It’s a really great asset because people can come in and experience the brand firsthand from a culinary perspective now.”
Hansson also said that the location was a good match for what Harland is trying to accomplish in the new phase of business, given the need for more dining options in the 4S Ranch and the Ranch Bernardo area, where he lives.
“There’s a ton of young families (and) people who want places they can go that feel elevated and cool, but also they can take their kids too,” he said.
Here are Hansson’s favorite places to dine and explore in and around Rancho Bernardo.
Jeff Hansson is the co-founder and CEO of Harland Brewing Company. (Jeff Hansson)
Q: Where is your favorite dining option?
A: The Original Pancake House. This spot has become a favorite for the Hansson family for breakfast on the weekends. The service is always fantastic, and the food is consistently delicious. I highly recommend the strawberries with the house-made whipped cream.
Q: What is your favorite small retail business or pop-up vendor to support?
A: Edelweiss Bakery. This family-owned bakery has been serving the community for decades. Their cakes and pastries are incredible. Everyone should stop by and support them!
The start of a hiking trail at Rancho Bernardo Community Park on April 26, 2026. (McKenzie Patterson / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
From left, Pete Jackson, and Kevin Paulson play tennis at Rancho Bernardo Community Park on April 26, 2026. (McKenzie Patterson / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
San Diego Frost Travel Baseball holds a postgame practice at Rancho Bernardo Community Park on April 26, 2026. (McKenzie Patterson / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Children play on a playground at Rancho Bernardo Community Park on April 26, 2026. (McKenzie Patterson / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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The start of a hiking trail at Rancho Bernardo Community Park on April 26, 2026. (McKenzie Patterson / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Q: Where is your favorite open space?
A: Rancho Bernardo Community Park. I spend a ton of time at this park watching my kids play soccer and baseball. The park is safe and very well-maintained. There are also incredible hiking trails just behind the park that lead to Lake Hodges. Definitely worth a visit!
Q: Where is the best piece of artwork or hidden gem?
A: There are no murals or sculptures that I know of … but Lake Poway is a gem. It’s on the border of Rancho Bernardo. I mean, nobody knows it, except locals, but when you go, it’s gorgeous. You can go fishing, you can go hiking (or) you can go running. There’s a beautiful park and a playground up there. Lake Poway is so under-marketed. It’s such a great communal area for families to go to. And then even if you’re not a family. You can still go fishing with your buddies. You can go grab a six-pack of beer and go fish out on Lake Poway, and it’s incredible. So, it’s a hidden gem.
Q: Where is your favorite entertainment attraction or historic landmark?
A: The Rancho Bernardo Inn. This location is a high-end gem in a very otherwise suburban area. The golf course, spa and restaurant are all fantastic. I recommend playing a round of golf, getting a full body massage and then enjoy a martini, in that order.