Our Story
THE BEGINNING
Sean Haggerty is an American veteran who served nearly a decade as a Navy SEAL. During his third deployment to Iraq, in the heat and chaos of war, he found himself craving something simple and familiar: a cold craft beer. When none was available, he did what he had always done—he adapted. He made his own. That first improvised batch sparked something unexpected. What began as a solution to a moment quickly grew into a passion for the precision, creativity, and artistry of brewing. As he completed his time in the SEAL Teams, Sean dedicated himself to mastering the craft, refining his process whenever and wherever he could.
A GREATER PURPOSE
Years later, with the unwavering support of his wife and co-founder, Cory Haggerty—and inspired by her vision to build a business upon a clean, organic product—the idea transformed into a mission. Cory’s insistence on doing things the right way built the foundation for what the company would become, and the wheels were set into motion. Sean was honorably discharged from the military and made the leap—going all in on a venture rooted in craftsmanship, purpose, and values.
In the summer of 2017, our Miramar tasting room opened its doors to a thirsty public, and the Protector family began to grow. Our first hire, Amanda Grover, started out slingin’ beer behind the bar and quickly became a driving force in the company—building the brand and leading our outside sales efforts as Director of Distribution Sales. Today, she is a Part-Owner and General Manager of Protector Brewery, overseeing operations and leading the team at our downtown tasting room.
WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO
Protector Brewery was built by people who have always answered the call to protect. What once meant serving our country has evolved into protecting our customers, our ingredients, and our environment. As a family-owned business, we operate with uncompromising integrity and transparency—listing every clean, organic ingredient on the back of each can. We believe great beer should offer real choice: exceptional flavor without toxic additives. That’s why all of our ingredients are U.S.-grown, non-GMO, free from synthetic pesticides, artificial flavors, and preservatives, and USDA-certified organic. Every batch is fully vegan-friendly, brewed using EPA-certified processes, and packaged in 100% recyclable materials—because protecting the future matters as much as crafting great beer.
MOVING FORWARD
In the spring of 2019, we expanded distribution throughout San Diego County. Since then, we’ve grown significantly—launching large-scale canning, tripling the size of our brew system, and partnering with Karl Strauss Distributing to bring Protector beers to our home market and across Southern California. In 2024 we further expanded our reach through a partnership with Bay Area–based distributor Waterloo Beverages, allowing Protector beers to be enjoyed throughout Northern California.
ONWARD & UPWARD
In June of 2024, we opened our newest taproom and kitchen, Protector Brewery Hide Site, in downtown San Diego Bayfront. Located on the ground level of the InterContinental Hotel, Hide Site was designed to be a unique craft beer and dining destination along the waterfront, complete with sweeping views of the bay. The name Hide Site references a concealed observation post, a nod to Sean’s military background as a Navy SEAL sniper. The menu features thin-crust pizzas, fresh salads, and seasonal appetizers, while the interior blends industrial elements with our Spartan helmet branding for a look that’s modern and elevated, yet comforting and inviting. Every detail—from design to service—reflects our commitment to craftsmanship and creating an unforgettable experience for our customers.
PEOPLE, PLANET, PROGRESSION
We raise a glass to our amazing community of beer lovers who’ve fueled this journey. Your passion inspires us to push boundaries, craft with purpose, and always pour something worth savoring. Here’s to the next chapter of Protector Brewery—cheers!
