It takes a lot for a brewery to standout on a city block that’s home to three brewing company venues, but Chula Vista Brewery (CVB) has managed to do just that on Third Avenue. In addition to brandishing the name of the municipality he and his business call home, owner Timothy Parker has brought on established brewers James Hodges (Port Brewing/The Lost Abbey) and Ignacio “Nacho” Cervantes (Pizza Port Brewing), upping quality and providing consistency. The veteran-owned business has also gone to lengths to support U.S. military charities, all while celebrating the community and its residents. That will also be the name of the game at CVB’s new brewpub in Chula Vista’s Eastlake community, which will open to the public on Friday, November 12.
“Chula Vista is the second-largest city in the county. It’s growing and so are we,” says Parker. “It was important for me to expand in Chula Vista because this is where we started. Our community was so underserved for decades, and it is my privilege to brew and provide beer here.”
CVB’s new brewpub was installed in the former home of long-shuttered eatery, The Brew House at Eastlake. The 6,460-square-foot space now sports a beer-hall setup with long tables and benches to seat up to 185 guests. An upstairs mezzanine will seat an additional 40 patrons, and room for 80 more is provided by a 1,660-square-foot outdoor patio with firepits and heaters. The bar is equipped with 17 taps dispensing CVB beer, while the kitchen is the domain of another veteran-owned business, Oak & Anchor BBQ.
When looking to infuse Chula Vista style into the venue, Parker consulted artists with local ties. “We used Mike Ecker for the mezzanine area and we had the honor of being able to commission Mr. B Baby, a Chula Vista native who does incredible mural artwork, and added her touch right above our brewhouse area.”
The Eastlake brewery has been in operation since late-October. The 10-barrel system was recently used to produce a collaboration beer commemorating the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor with Maui Brewing and the Best Defense Foundation, a volunteer organization supporting veterans that was founded by Chula Vistan and ex-San Diego Charger Donnie Edwards. CVB’s original location features a 5-barrel system and a cellar capacity of 160 barrels. The Eastlake brewery will allow the company to significantly increase its annual barrelage, which has topped out at just under 500 barrels to-date.
“Working on building out the new Eastlake location with my brew partner, Nacho, was a fun yet sometimes challenging project. He and I had been part of additions and changes to our various breweries we had worked for, but this was the first time for both of us building one from the ground up,” says Hodges. “This is very exciting as we are planning on expanding outside sales and ramping up our packaging operations.”
Cervantes labels the past several months of brewery installation as a big learning lesson he’s grateful for. When asked what he’s most excited about, he cites the ability to produce more beer and start a barrel-aging program. Hodges agrees but is enthused about something completely unrelated.
“Although I’m a brewer and am stoked we will be making more beer, I think the thing I am excited about the most at the new location will be being able to offer food to our guests,” says Hodges. “Texas-style barbecue is some of my favorite.”
CVB’s Eastlake brewpub will open to the public at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 12. Once open, the hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to midnight, Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays.
This next chapter for CVB will not be its last. The company has big plans for another venue, which will also be within the Chula Vista city limits.
“We have big projects in mind for the bay front,” says Parker. “We can’t wait until we can share that project with everyone to make Chula even more proud.”
Chula Vista Brewery’s brewpub is located at 871 Showroom Place in Chula Vista’s Eastlake community