Beer of the Week: CCBA Brewers Collaboration

Nine years ago, Steve Kozyk and Rachel Fischer were getting ready to literally pull the switch and debut their Kearny Mesa business, Kilowatt Brewing, to the world. An illuminated operation in every sense, its tasting room features innovative lighting, black-light art and even a tropics-themed speakeasy with its own wealth of next-level design features. There’s no place in San Diego quite like it (save for Kilowatt’s satellite venues in Oceanside and ever-so-fitting Ocean Beach), and this Saturday, Kozyk, Fischer and the entire Kilowatt squad will toast nine years of uniquity with a suds-stocked anniversary soiree. But longevity and individuality aren’t the only things they’re celebrating. There’s also the concepts of togetherness and collegialism which Kilowatt has fostered all along the way. From charity fundraising efforts to supporting causes such as gender equality and inclusiveness in the brewing industry, they have made a practice of stepping up. So it’s no surprise that one of the specialty drafts at their birthday bash embodies the collaborative spirit of their industry. That hoppy ode to synergism is this week’s featured beer: CCBA Brewers Collaboration IPA. CCBA stands for the California Craft Brewers Association, the non-profit trade organization working to protect and expand rights for brewing companies operating in The Golden State. All of the group’s hundreds of members are invited to take part in the CCBA Brewers Collaboration each year, but over time the number of participants has dwindled to just 22, with only Kilowatt and Miramar’s White Labs Brewing supporting the cause on a local level. In a time when banding together is more important than ever, the fact Kilowatt has done so over its nearly decade in the industry – and continues to do so – is a testament to their commitment to their contemporaries and a great reason to join them at their anniversary throwdown from 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday, August 3. Of course, there are other reasons, as well, including live entertainment, a vendor fair and, of course, scores of specialty beers of the hoppy, sour, dark and barrel-aged varieties.

The CCBA Brewers Collaboration beer we are releasing is a West Coast-style IPA coming in at 6.7% alcohol-by-volume. It’s brewed with two-row malt and Carapils, and hopped with Galaxy, Vic Secret and Cashmere hops. The bitterness of the beer is balanced between malt and hops with a moderately dry finish, and the hop flavors are floral and fruity with notes of stone fruit such as peach, as well as pineapple, pine, and citrus notes of orange and lemon. We’re excited to release it at the anniversary event along with some other fun beers like our 9th anniversary hazy IPA, Pannikin Coffee special blend barrel-aged imperial stout, mixed-berry smoothie sour, watermelon tajin gose, and strawberry blonde ale brewed with tamarind and pineapple. We’ll also have a version of our Double Chocolate Macadamia Nut Stout brewed with Mexican chocolate, peanuts and strawberries called Peanut Butter Jelly Tiempo, and barrel-aged sours finished with Korean melons, kumquats and sugar cane.”

Brian Crecely, Head Brewer, Kilowatt Brewing

Kilowatt Brewing is located at 7576 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in Kearny Mesa