Beer of the Week: Tasman Sunset

There’s a gargantuan 28,000 square-foot brewpub in San Marcos’ North City development. It’s currently home to the Cohn Restaurant Group’s Draft Republic concept, but its in-house brewing facility has had many tenants over the years. The first was Mason Ale Works, the brewing arm of the company that constructed and opened it under its original moniker, Urge Common House. Four years later, CRG took the space over and enlisted the founder and brewmaster from Carlsbad’s Rouleur Brewing to handle production of Draft Republic Brewing beers along with his own ales and lagers. When Rouleur decided to cut back the size of its operation, that partnership was dissolved, leaving CRG in need of a tenant with proven brewing chops, and it got just that in Thousand Oaks-based Tarantula Hill Brewing. It would be easy for a locavore mindset to lead one to discount an out-of-town operation, but this one has big-time local roots. Two of its founders worked at Stone Brewing around the 2010s – one for a full decade – and the head brewer at the San Marcos facility came over from Vista-based Pure Project Brewing. There is nothing to fear here, but rather a lot to be excited about, including the first locally brewed Tarantula Hill specialty creation to be canned, Tasman Sunset. This inaugural debut is a West Coast IPA primarily hopped with New Zealand varietal, Motueka. The beer’s impressive dryness makes it easy to pick up on hop-borne notes of early-harvest stone fruit, orange zest and melon, while enhancing its overall drinkability. A top notch IPA well suited for taking the edge off the current wicked-hot weather, this is a nice sign of things to come from our local slice of a standout Ventura County brewing operation.

Introducing Tasman Sunset, a vibrant West Coast IPA brewed at Tarantula Hill’s new San Marcos location. Named after the Tasman District on New Zealand’s South Island, where renowned Motueka hops are grown, this beer celebrates the unique flavors of its origins. Clocking in at 6.8% ABV (alcohol-by-volume), it showcases a hop blend of Motueka CGX, Chinook and Simcoe Hyperboost. Using some of our favorite hop products from Yakima Chief Hops and Crosby Hops, the flavor profile is highlighted by notes of sweet citrus, bringing on a bright, zesty freshness. You’ll also notice notes of white grape and peach, with a dank finish that rounds out the experience, offering piney, resinous depth. It will be available on-draft and in cans at Draft Republic San Marcos starting today. This is our first can release at our San Marcos location, making it an exclusive opportunity to try something new from T-Hill.”

Tyler Potter, Lead Brewer, Tarantula Hill Brewing – San Marcos

Tarantula Hill Brewing’s San Diego County brewhouse is located inside Draft Republic at 255 Redel Road in San Marcos