Case Study

Harland Brewing expands into 7-Eleven Japan with WTCSD support

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ServiceExport­/Logistics Consulting

ServiceMarketing­/Visibility

Market Strategy

ServiceMarket Strategy

DECEMBER 2025

Harland Brewing Co. is a San Diego-based company that brews IPAs, lagers, sours, and more, created in the image of its owners and by people who inspire others to live their lives doing what they love.

Following its first tasting room in Scripps Ranch, Harland now has locations in South Park, Bay Park, and 4S Ranch, and sells its cans in stores across Southern California and Arizona.

COMPANY

CHALLENGE

Following domestic success, Harland struggled to develop an international face for its brand, leaving the company disconnected from its target markets in Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan. Though Asia had played a major role in inspiring the Harland brand, leading to its core Japanese Lager and Japanese-inspired specialty releases, the company needed support creating more localized and culturally tailored marketing materials.

Harland also faced rising production costs due to tariffs, working to negotiate contracts in hopes of stabilizing prices for its customers.

EDC SOLUTION AND SUPPORT PROVIDED

Harland applied to World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD)’s MetroConnect program and was one of 15 growing companies accepted into its seventh cohort in 2024.

As the company looked to improve its international growth and build a marketing strategy to focus its resources efficiently, it leveraged MetroConnect’s resources, including:

  • $5,000 MetroConnect grant to support Harland’s market visit to Japan, enabling valuable face time with distributor representatives and accounts such as 7-Eleven.
  • Program workshops and events, including a market selection workshop with Taylor Guitars that guided Harland in prioritizing markets, honing target messaging, and determining approach.

VALUE DERIVED

Drawing on MetroConnect’s $5,000 grant, network, and resources, Harland updated its marketing strategy, deepened its distributor relationships, and landed new placements, including 7-Eleven locations across Japan.

Its success is also reflected locally—since joining MetroConnect, Harland expanded its brews into more than 2,200 locations in San Diego, opened its first full-service restaurant in 4S Ranch, and became the newest tenants of the Mission Bay Golf Course Clubhouse and Practice Center.

“The MetroConnect program has been a great support for Harland as we scale and share our brews with the world. The resources and advising WTCSD and Export SBDC provided shaped our export plan and go-to-market strategy in ways that better spotlighted Harland’s products to international partners and customers, ultimately helping us land key Japanese accounts like 7-Eleven.”

—Anthony Levas, President and Co-Founder, Harland Brewing Co.

Connect with Harland Brewing:

For more information and to learn more:

Sophia Antonopoulos
Sophia Antonopoulos

Manager, World Trade Center San Diego