Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits


& Gardens in ay spirit


No heavy-hitters list would be complete with- out Ballast Point, and San Diegans should expect more big things from both brewery & spirits departments in 2011. “We are not a one-trick pony, instead driven by the roots of home brewing,” assured Director of Sales Earl Kight. “We create and create again and again.” Nowhere is this more true than Home Brew Mart in Linda Vista, where it all began in 1992. Watch for HBM’s GM and BP Specialty Brewer Colby Chandler to continue producing interesting variations of the award-hogging Sculpin IPA, including ghost and habanero pepper versions. More key developments: bot- tle labels are being designed for both the high- ly coveted Fathom IPL (India Pale Lager) as well as the Sour Wench Blackberry Ale. Long- fi n Lager, “that easy-drinking, warm-weather favorite, has a 12oz label and six-pack holder almost ready to go.” Let’s not forget that de- mand for the Pale Ale and Big Eye IPA con- tinues to grow in the local market. With all of this planned production, the need for increased


Hess Brewing


Brewers John Maino (left) and Greg Webb take a break to strike a pose at Ballast Point Scripps Ranch.


capacity is inevitable; rumor has it that the main brewery in Scripps Ranch will be gearing up for another serious expansion this spring.


Let there be no doubt, Hess Brewing convinc- ingly anchors the western end of the Miramar brewery circuit with a quality-over-quantity nano system. Currently, they produce 1.6 barrels, or just 51 gallons, per batch. Expect that to change in 2011. Hess just bought four new 3-barrel fermenters and is looking into some opportunities on a 15-barrel brewhouse to get beer into the marketplace. Whether that means a re-design of their current space or a new Miramar location altogether, Propietor & CBO Mike Hess told us, “I expect that we’ll have around 200 barrels brewed in our sec- ond six months. From there…who knows? That’s up to our fans!” Other 2011 plans: a new growler, CU Boulder (Mike Hess’ alma mater)-style FAC (Friday Afternoon Club) festivities, and more limited release beers.


AwesomeBeerDrinkers.com from Automatic


AwesomeBeerDrinkers.com started with Michael Bowen and Alex McKee. According to Michael, the mission of ABD is simple: “To bring the gos- pel of good beer to the masses, and help support the growth of the craft beer scene in any way we can.” How’d they choose their name, you ask? “The name was simple: Mike said ‘we have an Awesome idea’ and Alex said ‘we need more Beer to Drink.’” Aside from a well-put-together website that is developing into a fi ne resource for all things craft beer in San Diego, what will set Awesome Beer Drinkers apart in 2011 will be their monthly tastings. The next ABD Tast- ing will be January 22nd @ The Beer Company in Downtown from 4-8pm. To quote them: “We will be featuring a ridiculous assortment of hand- selected craft brews provided by the Best Damn Beer Shop for your tasting enjoyment.” For more details and to RSVP, visit AwesomeBeerDrink- ers.com


Awe s ome B e e r D r i n k e r s


Hess Brewing, always in high demand.


Iron Fist


Ready to drink beer in an awesome fashion? Click over to AwesomeBeerDrinkers.com


Manzanita Brewing


Diego Beer Week 2011 ot, SDBW is back in just ten months.


sidering the sheer number of events held ’s countywide ten-day festival (close to ffi cult to predict what will come during third incarnation in 2011. What we do the only way is up; unknowing San Die- gin to learn what the beer tourists already he promotion of locally-produced beer


o strengthen the local economy. SDBW und win for all businesses that believe in an Diego Craft Beer.


Company A member of the class of July 2010, Manzanita has been growing faster than anyone expected. After expanding into an adjacent industrial suite off


Prospect Avenue in Santee, Manzanita expanded their tasting room from 90 sq. feet to 550 sq. feet. There’s now a 9 ½ foot full-size bar, and a ~30 ft. standing bar surrounding the tables & barstools that fi ll up the room. Manzanita will be- gin bottling bombers in 2011, and their production ability will expand with the upgrade from a 7-barrel system to a 20-barrel system. “We’re going to start bottling 1000 (bombers) a week and see


Manzanita growlers, willing and eager.


how it goes, and expand our system as soon as we fi nd equipment,” says Jeff Trevaskis, CEO of Manzanita. Head Brewer Garry Pitman is look- ing to begin entering Manzanita brews into local and national compe- titions in 2011 as well. Watch as the unique trademark Manzanita wood taphandle carves a space in draft lineups around the county.


Iron Fist came out swinging when they opened their doors in October of 2010. Their revolutionary theme lends itself well to the line up of beers offered by this family-run brewery, as well as the brewer himself. Their brews are crafted by the youngest Head Brewer in San Diego - Brandon Sieminski. At only 23, Brandon’s come up with quality brews such as the bold Dubbel Fisted and the crisp Spice of Life. His newest creation, The Gauntlet Imperial IPA, is unlike anything we’ve ever tasted (in the best way). Adrian Sieminski, Iron Fist’s sales representative & brother to Brandon, reports that the beer is spreading across the county. We expect Iron Fist to continue pummeling palates in 2011.


Iron Fist’s Rebels With a Cause.


Photo: Kristina Blake


Photo courtesy of Manzanita Brewing Company


Photo: John Shulz @ Studio Shulz


Photo: Albert Rascon


Photo: Kristina Blake


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