Last month, the owner of 32 North Brewing announced he had sold his Miramar brewery and tasting room to a group of entrepreneurs intent on installing a pair of beverage concepts into the space. As would be expected, one of those concepts is a brewing company. Going by the name Embolden Beer Co., it is headed by a pair of former teammates from Mission Brewery—Cody Morris and Andrew Kelly—both of whom have been working diligently since taking over 32 North’s 20-barrel brewhouse. Their pace has been so swift that Embolden co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer Andy Sist believes all 32 of their expanded array of tasting-room taps will be stocked with offerings from Embolden and sister business New Motion Beverages when the space opens to the public on Saturday, November 21.
The tap system isn’t the only thing the facilities’ new masters have had their way with. “We have changed the color scheme to fit a more modern, vibrant aesthetic, featuring emerald and white, with a focus on greenery and mixed metal touches,” says Sist. “The beer garden has also been completely renovated with Bohemian seating and fire pits to help people enjoy the newly expanded 2,000 square feet of al fresco drinking space.”
And there will be plenty to drink. Embolden Beer’s portfolio is shaping up as follows:
- Rewriting History Juicy West Coast IPA (6.5%): Hopped with Nelson Sauvin and Vic Secret
- Brave the Haze Hazy Double IPA (8%): Hopped with Strata and Idaho 7
- Original Sin Bohemian Pilsner (5.5%): True-to-style Czech pilsner with Czech Saaz hops
- Simply Cashmere Single-Hop Juicy IPA (6%): Hopped with 100% Cashmere hops
- Strawberry Smoothie Sour (4.2%)L Berliner weisse with lactose, vanilla, strawberry puree and raspberry puree
- Prickly Pear Gose (4.2%): Kettle sour with prickly pear puree and salt
- On the Bright Side Kölsch (5%)
- Words of Wisdom Pastry Stout (12.5%): Harland Brewing collaboration with banana puree, Nilla wafers, cocoa powder and cacao nibs
- Creatures of Habit West Coast IPA (7.1%): Creative Creature Brewing collaboration hopped with Galaxy and Centennial (a hazy IPA version was also brewed at Creative Creature’s El Cajon facility using the same ABV and hop additions)
- Horchata Golden Milk Stout (6.4%): SouthNorte Beer Co. collaboration with lactose, cacao nibs, cinnamon, flaked rice and coffee provided by Trident Coffee (a pumpkin-spice version was also brewed)
“Cody is responsible for developing these exciting recipes and new takes on classic San Diego styles,” says Sist, who is also excited about beers his staff have been brewing with friends at and away from their new home base. “We are fortunate to have already collaborated with some of our favorite local breweries. As part of our overall philosophy surrounding inclusivity in the brewing community, you can expect many more great collaboration beers to come.”
As for the New Motion side of the business, expect a variety of alcoholic kombuchas, sparkling teas and seltzers, including barrel-aged versions of the latter. Morris and company have sourced wine barrels from vintners in the Temecula Valley as well as rum and whiskey barrels from nearby Cutwater Spirits, and are aging their alcoholic seltzers in them. It’s still early in that process, but the team is highly encouraged by an initial rosé iteration they say, like the entire line, should make for a unique alternative to wine and cocktails.
- Rosé Hard Seltzer (6%): Seltzer barrel-fermented in a red-wine barrel with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape must added
- Hard Sparkling Green Tea (5%): Green tea with blackberry, pomegranate, vanilla and cinnamon sticks
- Hard Sparkling White Tea (5%): White tea with strawberry, apricot, vanilla and orange peel
- Passion Punch (7%): Hard kombucha with blackberry, mango, cinnamon and Mosaic hops
- Mojito Hard Seltzer: Seltzer aged in a rum barrel with mint and lime added
- Mai Tai Hard Seltzer: Seltzer aged in a rum barrel with pineapple, lime and orange
- Paloma Hard Seltzer: Seltzer with tequila-soaked oak chips and grapefruit
- Margarita Hard Seltzer: Seltzer with tequila-soaked oak chips, lime and lemon
- Mimosa Hard Seltzer: Seltzer with orange, pineapple and a touch of cherry
“We really wanted to go after something no one else is doing yet. Sort of like a ready-to-drink cocktail, but with a seltzer base,” says Morris. “I helped develop Ashland Hard Seltzer, so I wanted to use the experience I gained with that, but go a different direction and sort of combine the RTD and seltzer crazes into one product.”
Having not one, but two brands, both aiming to offer something new to their respective beverage segments, is bound to lure consumers. Even so, Sist and his partners are pleasantly taking aback by the level of interest they’ve received this early, not just from the imbibing public, but their new beer-industry colleagues. It’s especially encouraging in the midst of a pandemic.
“We find ourselves surprised and humbled by the support from our local brewing community,” says Sist. “Their help, advice and collaboration has been a huge blessing as we launch in these challenging times.”
For the unveiling on November 21, there will drink specials, music and giveaways. Once open, the tasting room will be open weekdays from noon to 8 p.m., with lengthier service periods on the weekend, ideally 11 a.m. to midnight, though that is not final. Visitors are directed to consult the company’s website once the venue is operational.
Embolden Beer Co. and New Motion Beverages are located at 8655 Production Avenue, Suite A, in Miramar