Our latest quick-hit roundup of news culled from San Diego County’s brewing industry includes info on an inland brewery that’s done so well under new ownership that it needs to maximize its home base’s beermaking capabilities, a South Bay operation that’s contracting in an effort to be more efficient and a trio of brewing companies recently awarded Brewery of the Year status by constituents of a local State Assembly District. Read on!
Last June, married couple Eric and Cassie Goforth took over the only craft-beer interest in the inland North County community of Ramona, Smoking Cannon Brewery. In the year that’s followed, they’ve maintained what fans of the nine-year-old company have come to love about the down-home, small-town business…but big changes are afoot. The Goforths are about to close their brewery to the public so they can devote it exclusively to production and increase supply to meet demand. In doing so, they will throw open the doors to a new taproom they will share with Pamo Valley Winery. Located steps away from Smoking Cannon’s HQ at 638 Main Street, the 855-square-foot venue (pictured above) includes front and back patios, with the latter coming in at 2,000 square feet. In addition to televisions, the space includes a stage that doubles as a seating platform, which will be used for bands and open-mic nights, fixtures at the business’ original location. The Goforths plan to debut the new tasting room this month and officially christen it with a big grand-opening event. The date for that celebration has yet to be determined, but will be shared via Smoking Cannon’s Instagram account.
In January, Chula Vista Brewery shut down its Eastlake brewpub, the larger of the business’ two locations. The closure was intended to be temporary as owners Timothy and Dali Parker sought a new culinary partner to take over kitchen operations at the 6,460-square-foot venue. Months later, with no feasible prospects on that front, and having worked with Head Brewer Derek Gallanosa to compare the brewing efficiencies of the Eastlake venue’s 10-barrel operation and the five-barrel system at Chula Vista Brewery’s original location on Third Avenue, the Parkers have decided to exit Eastlake entirely. Gallanosa says brewing smaller batches at the flagship is far more cost-effective and allows for a nimbler operation offering greater variety to its customers. As such, he spent the better part of last month transferring all production over to Third Avenue.
Earlier this year, Chris Ward, State Assemblymember for California’s 78th District, authored HR 115, a house resolution calling for “Brewery of the Year” nominations coinciding with California Craft Beer Week, which took place July 17 to 26. A public call put out via social-media brought in nominations for 78th District brewing companies, from which three winners were selected: Blind Lady Ale House (and its in-house beermaking arm, BLAH Brewing), Good Pressure Brewing and Pure Project Brewing. Of those operations, two are based in Ward’s district – which spans north-south from Miramar to Golden Hill and west-to-east from Clairemont to Granite Hills – though Vista-based Pure Project operates satellite locations in Bankers Hill, Miramar and North Park. “Craft brewing has quickly become a core piece of San Diego’s culture and identity,” said Ward. “It was such a pleasure getting to recognize these amazing businesses for all of their work making #AD78 the best it can be.”