From the Lineup to the Label: How Family, Surfing, and Craft Built Sons & Dotters

BY: WILLIE DANIELS

Surfing has a way of bringing people together—but for Brent, Ryan, and the Dotters Family, it became the thread that stitched three generations of family into a life built around the ocean, community, and craft.

It started when Ryan moved to San Diego to attend San Diego State. At 18, he discovered surfing, and before long the pull of the coastline brought the rest of the family south. Brent and their sister Krista followed, and by the time Brent was 22, he had fully immersed himself in the local surf scene. The siblings found their first true home break at 15th Street in Del Mar, a place that would become more than just a surf spot—it became a gathering point.

Brent Dotters pouring a "Sons and Dotters" old fashioned.

As the years went on, surfing naturally became family tradition. Nieces and nephews learned to paddle out almost as soon as they could swim. What started as individual sessions turned into shared mornings in the water, laughter in the parking lot, and meals together afterward. Surfing wasn’t just recreation—it was family bonding.

That bond only deepened when their parents joined them in Southern California after retiring. Today, the Dotters are three generations strong in Encinitas, Cardiff, and Del Mar, with surfing and family at the core of everyday life.

..surfing and family at the core of everyday life.

To support himself—and his growing love for the ocean—Brent found work in the restaurant industry after college. He started as a busser, moved to waiting tables, and eventually landed behind the bar. It didn’t take long for his natural talent to show. Brent had a gift for mixing cocktails, often creating his own recipes, and was eventually asked to design specialty cocktail menus. The timing couldn’t have been better: West Coast mixology was booming, and Brent was right in the middle of it.

Though he loved bartending, life eventually called him in a new direction. Starting a family and being present as a husband and father mattered more than late nights behind the bar. But stepping away from the industry never meant stepping away from the craft. Brent continued mixing drinks for friends, weddings, and gatherings—always on the side, always with intention. His signature? A beautifully balanced Old Fashioned. Classic, elegant, and meant to be shared.

You'll remember the taste of Sons and Dotters Old Fashioned cocktail.

One day, Brent’s brother Ryan showed up with a case of bourbon and a simple request: make a few bottles of your Old Fashioned. The plan was to surprise friends at an event. The result was immediate and unanimous—everyone wanted more. Word spread quickly, and soon friends and family were asking the same question: How can we get our hands on this?

Those closest knew they had something special. They encouraged them to take the leap and share their cocktails with a wider audience. But they understood the reality of the alcohol industry—licensing, distribution, production, and competition from massive corporations made the idea feel overwhelming. The logistics alone were daunting.

That’s when the family stepped in.

If this dream was going to happen, it would happen together.

The Dotters family.

The family was clear about one thing from the start: there would be no shortcuts. Too many premixed cocktails relied on cheap alcohol, artificial ingredients, and excessive sugar. They wanted to create something honest—using high-quality bourbon and homemade components—so they turned to what they loved most: the Old Fashioned.

The family connected with a high-end whiskey producer in Kentucky, selecting specific barrels of premium bourbon—usually eight at a time—to keep production small and controlled. Every batch is intentional. Syrups are made by hand. Bitters are blended in-house. Mixing, bottling, labeling, sealing—every step is done by the Dotters family themselves.

There are no factories. No employees. No outsourced production.

Ryan, Andy and Brent Dotters.

Their dad Andy has been involved from the beginning. Everyone helps where they can. Grandma watches the kids while the adults gather to bottle, cook, and work side by side. What looks like production day feels more like a family reunion—complete with good music, shared meals, and a lot of laughs.

Every bottle you see on the shelf today is still prepared by the Dotters family and close friends...

After three years of grinding, learning, and refining the process, the family was ready. Working out of a small warehouse in San Diego, they produced the first batch of Sons & Dotters Old Fashioned in July of 2024. Distribution began locally—hotels, small retailers, and places like Seaside Market in Encinitas. That same local-first approach remains today.

Krista and Brent at Seaside Market hosting a free tasting.

Nothing has changed.

Every bottle you see on the shelf today is still prepared by the Dotters family and close friends, usually once a month, in a rhythm that mirrors the way they live their lives—together.

Even now, every family member maintains their own professional career while supporting the brand. And no matter how busy life gets, they always make time to surf. If you’re out at Cardiff Reef or paddling out in Del Mar, you might just find yourself sharing a lineup with the same family that handcrafted the bottle waiting for you back on land.

The name says it all. Sons & Dotters—a nod from Ryan that perfectly captured the heart of the brand. The coastal color palette reflects San Diego’s softer tones, the ocean air, and the place they call home.

The Dotters family loves surfing. They love the water, the community, and the connection it creates. And when you pick up a bottle of Sons & Dotters, you’re not just buying a drink—you’re holding something made with care, intention, and family at its center.

Crafted by hand. Shared with love. Best enjoyed together.

Website: sonsanddotters.com