Praising the Bar: Black Plague Brewing

When planning our annual spotlight series for front-of-house all-stars at local breweries, we were excited to include staffers from Black Plague Brewing. It takes a lot to lighten up venues with pitch-black walls, coffins and, in the case of the company’s Oceanside flagship, skeletons hanging from the ceiling. But Black Plague’s beertenders brought big energy, fun and positivity to work with them each day, winning over scores of visitors and converting them to regulars like vampires luring innocents into the eternal afterlife of the undead. Before we could publish this edition of Praising the Bar, Black Plague went out of business, but we feel the achievements and personalities of the individuals below deserve to be shared. Continue on and we think you’ll agree!

Scotty Waloch
Assistant Manager

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in North County San Diego…Vista, specifically.

When and how did you get into craft beer – was there an a-ha moment – and did it happen before or after you started working in the industry?
Living in vista, I have been going to breweries since they first started popping up. Also being a skater, I was always a fan of Black Plague’s owner, Jordan Hoffart. I live down the street from Plague, so I first became a regular there and started to get to know the staff. Finally, after helping them close all the time, one of the managers asked, “Do you want to work here?” The rest is history!

Have you worked for other breweries, and if so, which ones and in what capacity?
Black Plague is the first time I have ever worked in the service industry, let alone at a brewery.

What do you love most about your job?
I’m a bit of a social butterfly, so I love meeting and talking to people. 

Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?
Dealing with bad customers. Luckily we don’t have a lot of them. Our clientele is awesome!

What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?
Only being in the industry for a few short years, I am most proud of starting as a part-time beertender and moving my way up to full-time shift lead, while also starting to work in the brewhouse and learning from Aeryk, Jordan, Will and Jon.

What do you love most about the company you work for?
I love the people I work with! I have also been able to meet some of my skating idols working here.

What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?
My favorite beer that Aeryk makes is Gothica. To me, it’s the best Mexican lager in the biz!

What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?
Harland Brewing makes a really good Japanese-style rice lager. Booze Brothers Brewing’s Penny Blonde is also one of my favorites.

What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you’re off the clock?
Booze Brothers is another skater-owned brewery that makes great beer! I often recommend that customers go there. Artifex Brewing is another favorite of mine.

Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?
Man, I don’t know if i can do that to my regulars…ha! They are all amazing people for their own reasons. There are many I have become great friends with and hang out with when I am not working. I will say, I did meet my current girlfriend and future wife at Plague when I was a regular.

Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?
I was working in the back when Jordan texted me asking if I could help him film a video for Instagram. Of course I agreed. He then asked if I could throw a beer in his face. Again, of course I agreed. If you ask me, it’s one of the funniest videos on our Instagram.

What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you’re in control?
I pride myself in having a very eclectic taste in music. My usual Plague playlist could consist of anything from death metal to hip-hop to reggae to soul. A couple examples would be Chelsea Grin, Carnifex, Suicide Silence, The Used, anyone from Griselda or Black Soprano Family, Big K.R.I.T., Gregory Isaacs, Allen Stone or Ray Charles, just to name a few.

What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?
I’m a big advocate for being nice to everyone. Often, people are coming in to relax and have an after-work beer. I try to connect with them on a personal level and make their experience a good one. 

What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?
I would give customers the same advice I would give them in the real world. Just be a nice person and you will have a good experience anywhere. As long as you are a genuine person, people can sense that and you are more likely to have a good experience. 

What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?
I would love to work in the music industry in some capacity. Being good at talking to people, I would like to be a rep for bands or a record label. In the brewing industry, I would also love to manage a brewery or be a rep of some sort. 

What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere?
Who doesn’t love a good beerfest? Every year for our anniversary we have an awesome beerfest with all of our brewery friends. I also love going to shows, so I love seeing bands either at our brewery or other breweries.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
Spending time with my girlfriend and our dogs is my favorite. I also love going to shows. Brick by Brick in San Diego is my favorite venue for heavy music. The Belly Up in Solana Beach is also one of my favorites.

Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct 10-words-or-less answer)?
I am a genuinely nice person who loves life! 

Kayla Rohrbeck
Beertender

Where did you grow up?
North County, San Diego. I was born in Poway but moved to San Marcos when I was 7 years old. From then until the age of 22, I lived in San Marcos and Escondido.  

When and how did you get into craft beer – was there an a-ha moment – and did it happen before or after you started working in the industry?
I drank craft beer before starting at Karl Strauss, but that’s where I was introduced to and found my love for sours. That opened up a whole new world of beers that I didn’t know existed. From there I just wanted to explore all the different ones I could find.                   

Have you worked for other breweries, and if so, which ones and in what capacity?
I worked at Karl Strauss in La Jolla for 8 years. I started out as a server and worked my way behind the bar. 

What do you love most about your job?
The people I’ve met over the years and the real connections and friendships I’ve formed, coworkers and regulars alike. The money doesn’t hurt either…ha!

Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?
At times it can be difficult dealing with different personalities and people that just  can’t be made happy no matter how hard you try! Luckily, after being in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, I’ve just learned to let it roll off of me and keep pushing.                         

What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?
The expansion of my beer knowledge from 2012 until now and being able to share that with guests who come in. 

What do you love most about the company you work for?
The dark aesthetic is what drew me in, but the people I work for and with are the highlight for sure! I always say I don’t know that I’ve worked for better bosses than I do at Plague, and I think it’s true! It’s nice to be valued and makes such a difference to be in a positive work environment. I truly love coming into work and getting to see my coworkers. 

What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?
In My Darkest Sour Raspberry, but the Blueberry Pomegranate is a close second. 

What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?
Ultra Violet barrel-aged sour from Belching Beaver Brewery, Fistful of Gummies from Second Chance Beer Co. and Steal My Sunshine from Burgeon Beer Co.

What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you’re off the clock?
Belching Beaver, Burgeon and Fall Brewing.

Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?
I always look forward to Big John coming in on my shifts to catch up on life and chat about anything and everything. Will is definitely one of my faves as well. He’s truly become a friend of mine and some of my best times I’ve spent at Plague off-shift have been with him.

Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?
It’s ongoing but I would have to say my coworkers, Scotty and Erick, always making fun of my paper-towel obsession. I love that it drives them crazy…ha!

What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you’re in control? 
I’ve always put the pop-punk station on any chance I get. If I knew how to hook up my own music to the speakers it would probably be Bayside playing all day! 

What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?
I think being welcoming and trying to find genuine connection with the guests coming in. Of course knowledge is important too, but good vibes and the relationships forged keep people  wanting to come back.

What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?
Ask your beertenders questions. Let  them know if there’s a particular beer or style you usually drink so we can help guide you in the right direction. Ask to try a few splashes so you can see what you like or just to try a style you’re unfamiliar with. 

What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?
I have my cosmetology license and toy with the idea of going back to that at some point. As for now, I’m happy living in the moment and doing what I’m doing. TBD in the future! 

What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere?
Our anniversary beerfest parties are always super fun! I’m not sure that I’d call it a beer event, per se, but Emo Night at Black Plague is always my favorite of our brewery events!

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
Hanging with friends, whether it’s staying in or going out for some beers. Black Plague is actually one of my favorite places to go and hang on my off time, as well. Apparently I just can’t get enough…ha! I also enjoy just being at home watching reality TV with my kitty.

Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct 10-words-or-less answer)?
Hard-working, honest, loving and always up for a good time! 

Kristen Swain
Beertender

Where did you grow up?
South Florida 

What brought you to San Diego?
After 12 years in LA, I felt it was time for a change, and my boyfriend lives down here.

When and how did you get into craft beer – was there an a-ha moment – and did it happen before or after you started working in the industry?
I fell more for craft beer once I started working for Black Plague back in March. I did enjoy Purple Haze by Abita Brewing, but I didn’t drink beer all that much. IPAs were usually too dank for my taste, but I fell in love with our hazy, Open Mind, and our double hazy, Mind Melter. I also enjoy our super yummy Pilsner, Day Dreamer. 

What do you love most about your job?
I love connecting with people and our really rad staff. It’s such a fun and eclectic group of people; customers and co workers that it makes every shift pretty dang fun.

Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?
I’d say my least favorite part of work is cleaning the bathrooms. Everything else is pretty chill.

What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?
I’d say keeping our money tree, Paul-E, watered and abundant. Also just being a person behind the bar our customers are happy to see when they pay us a visit. 

What do you love most about the company you work for?
I love our crew. I’ve yet to meet anyone I can’t get along with and I really appreciate how much we’re all involved with the business. I get down with the fact that are founders, Jordan and Jarred, are very involved.

What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?
I enjoy Belching Beaver’s Hazers Gonna Haze IPA.

What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you’re off the clock?
I would generally recommend Burgeon.

Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?
I adore Autumn and her pup, Petey, because he’s got the most squishy kissable pupper face ever! Plus, she comes in with some of my other favorite ladies, Sarah, Megan and Caytlin. We all have some fun things in common and they’re always bringing love and fun to the bar. 

What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you’re in control?
Generally, I play classic rock, Led Zeppelin radio or The Doors, but I would be quite stoked if we could rock some Cramps Radio in there for sure. (*hint hint*)

What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?
I feel like the world is lacking in community and genuine connection, so when people come in, I like to listen and inquire what’s going on with them and share my life with them, as well. Giving that friendly feeling when they’re there and also learning about who I’m pouring beers for is pretty cool! We get some rad humans in our lounge.

What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?
When visiting a new brewery I think it’s always good to ask for samples and suggestions. Also, be open to talking with new friends if you sit at the bar. Check the website for events ahead of time so you can be prepared for fun activities! And visiting during happy hour is usually a good idea. 

What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?
I’d love to produce and perform in a rad burlesque show! I’m also looking into cosmo school to do hair and learning to be a photographer, hair and makeup artist.

What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere?
I haven’t been yet, but I really would love to attend the tiki event at Weir Beer Co.! I also love oddity pop-ups because I usually find my friend Autumn selling her beautiful taxidermy arts.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
When I’m not at work, I’m generally taking dance classes, trying to get into the gym and crafting.

Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct 10-words-or-less answer)?
I’m just a colorful and fun cutie patootie.