A few years ago, downtown Chula Vista quickly metamorphosized from an area with zero brewery-owned venues to one with three—all on the same block of Third Avenue. The craft-beer presence brought on by those businesses—Thr3e Punk Ales Brewing, Chula Vista Brewery and Groundswell Brewing (which is preparing to unveil its new tropical, vacation-themed culinary concept, Lime in the Coconut)—is further bolstered by numerous beer-centric bars and venues dealing in artisanal ales and lagers. And come this Saturday, March 26, Third Avenue will get its fourth brewery-owned spot when Barrio Logan-based Attitude Brewing celebrates not only the opening of its third public space, but also the company’s three-year anniversary.
Located a half-a-block north of the aforementioned suds-saturated block, Attitude’s tasting room is installed in a former private-event space across the street from popular landmark, the defunct Vogue theater. The 2,700-square-foot facility can hold up to 98 people. It’s been equipped with a 25-tap system, which will mostly dispense the company’s products, though one or two taps will be hooked to guest kegs on a regular basis. Seating for 40 more people is available on a dog-friendly outdoor street patio deck.
“The site was formerly a department store and event hall for over a decade. We had a blank slate to build out our customer experience, and added our tap setup, cold box and entertainment system,” says Attitude owner Kurt Bach. “We are excited to join the Third Avenue business community in Chula Vista. Our mission is to add another positive experience to this growing service and retail location. There is a saying that a rising tide raises all ships.”
The project site also includes a 23-by-26-foot kitchen that will be renovated in the coming months. Bach isn’t certain what style of cuisine they will go with once the kitchen is complete, but the goal will be for the food to pair well with Attitude’s beers. In the meantime, food trucks will make periodic stops at the Chula Vista location and guests will be welcomed to bring their own food.
In addition to unveiling the Chula Vista tasting room, Bach and company will have a lot to celebrate this weekend. The last year has been one of significant growth for the business. In addition to its expansion into the South Bay, Attitude took over a lease-to-brew space at North Park’s Craft by Brewery Igniter facility. A split-level combo brewery and tasting room previously occupied by San Diego Brewing and, most recently, hard-kombucha interest Juneshine, it allowed Attitude to more than double its annual production capacity.
As part of the opening-slash-anniversary festivities, Attitude will tap a new beer called Chula Palooza. A triple-dry-hopped hazy double IPA, it’s brewed with Simcoe, Nelson Sauvin, Strata, Mosaic, Ekuanot and Amarillo hops, and comes in at 9% alcohol-by-volume.
When asked if he has plans to continue expanding his business, Bach replies. “We are always looking for new opportunities with communities and people with great attitudes. At the moment, we are focusing on our three locations to solidify our place as a staple for the beer community.”
Once open, Attitude Chula Vista’s hours of operation will be 3 to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, noon to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Events like those held at Attitude’s other venues—comedy night, live music, karaoke—will be instituted in the near future.
Attitude Brewing’s new tasting room will be located at 221 Third Avenue in Chula Vista