Expansion will generate 60 new jobs.
Ocean Lab Brewing Co., a local fast‑growing craft beer brand, has expanded its manufacturing footprint with a new production facility in Cataño, marking a significant milestone in the company’s evolution from a beachfront microbrewery to a diversified business platform spanning manufacturing, gastronomy, tourism, retail, and entertainment.
The new 80,000‑square‑foot facility represents a $9.7 million investment in machinery and equipment, supported by $2.96 million in incentives from the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) under the island’s Incentives Code (Act 60). The expansion will allow Ocean Lab to triple its production capacity to 600,000 cases annually, centralizing its main brewing operations, distribution warehouse, marketing workshop, and administrative offices.
The project will generate 60 full‑time jobs, adding to the company’s growing workforce across its locations in Isla Verde, San Patricio, and Old San Juan. Ocean Lab’s annual payroll is expected to increase by more than $2.1 million as a result of the expansion.
Governor Jenniffer González Colón praised the expansion as an example of how local companies can scale globally competitive operations from Puerto Rico. She emphasized that Ocean Lab’s growth aligns with the administration’s broader strategy to strengthen local manufacturing, promote innovation, and create high‑quality jobs.
DDEC Secretary Carlos Ríos Pierluisi highlighted Ocean Lab’s trajectory from a startup to a brand recognized by both residents and visitors. He noted that the expansion will stimulate economic activity across multiple sectors, including packaging, transportation, creative services, events, and distribution.
Founded in 2017 at VIVO Beach Club in Isla Verde, Ocean Lab has grown beyond its origins as a microbrewery to operate multiple taprooms, restaurants, retail shops, and event venues. The company has invested more than $11 million in expansion over the past two years, creating over 175 jobs and establishing a presence in key consumer hubs.
Its product portfolio has expanded from seven initial beers to more than 30 varieties, including Ocean Blue, MayaWest, HopDiver, Mambo, and Sunset Amber. The brand’s broad offering has strengthened its reach in supermarkets, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and tourist districts.
Co‑founder and CEO Luis Fernández attributes the company’s growth to five core principles: operational flexibility, realistic capacity planning, continuous financial and metric monitoring, willingness to take on any task, and industry collaboration. He emphasized that sharing knowledge and resources among local brewers has helped strengthen Puerto Rico’s craft beer ecosystem.
Ocean Lab has earned multiple awards in international competitions, including medals at the Copa Quetzal in Guatemala, the Copa Latinoamericana de Cervezas Artesanales in Peru, and events in Colombia and the Dominican Republic. Fernández said the recognitions reinforce the company’s commitment to producing world‑class beer that represents Puerto Rico on the global stage.
The company also organizes the Puerto Rico Beer Fest, which brings together local breweries, consumers, gastronomy, and music. The 2026 edition is scheduled for October 3 at VIVO Beach Club, featuring more than 15 Puerto Rican breweries.
With the new Cataño plant, Ocean Lab is positioned to meet rising demand across all its locations, expand distribution, and pursue greater automation and operational efficiency. The expansion underscores the company’s ambition to scale its manufacturing capabilities while continuing to grow its presence in Puerto Rico’s craft beer, hospitality, and tourism sectors.
