For the past two months, Eppig Brewing co-owners Todd Warshaw and Stephanie Eppig have been readying a first for San Diego County: a satellite tasting room that will operate for as long as it takes the owner of the building its’s housed in to sell the property. That owner is John Pani, a longtime friend of the brewery founders who, upon closing his seven-year-old restaurant, Waypoint Public, presented the idea of Eppig Brewing taking over the 5,000-square-foot venue and occupying the space in a pop-up capacity. The brainstorm fell on receptive ears, and now, the satellite is ready to go into orbit. All that’s required is approval from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (which could come as early as today) for it to open to the public.
“This idea came together really quickly. It was the product of a unique brainstorming conversation we had with John over some Eppig beers at a North Park watering hole,” says Warshaw. “We’ve wanted to return to North Park since we left—a year ago this week—and this location is incredible. Combine that with the uncertain state of things these days and the very low cost to get the doors open, and it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”
Popping up in North Park marks a return to where it all began for Eppig Brewing, which debuted as a tenant at local developer H.G. Fenton’s three-suite Brewery Igniter incubator facility on El Cajon Boulevard in 2016. The business quickly made a name for itself, which led to it outgrowing its lease-to-brew space and entering into contract-brewing agreements to up production and help meet consumer demand. In 2019, ownership secured a 16,000-square-foot, new-construction brewery, tasting room and beer hall in Vista, which now serves as its headquarters. Contrastingly, Eppig’s Brewery Igniter suite, including the brewery, cellar, cold box and tasting room, totaled just 1,800 square feet. It was challenging to say the least. Still, the team that toughed it out in those closed confines has fond memories of North Park and is excited to see the familiar faces that helped get them where they are today.
“North Park is where many people first tried Eppig beer, and we love the friends and neighbors we got to know in our three years here. It’s always nerve-wracking deciding where to open a location, but we had none of that apprehension this time with this neighborhood—it’s home,” says Warshaw. “That feeling that was reinforced by the overwhelming support we received in our social-media posts about coming back, and people stopping me on the sidewalk to ask how much longer it would be until we can open.”
North Park beer fans have lamented Eppig’s absence over the past year-plus. When the company announced it would attempt to make a temporary home of the former Waypoint Public space, reaction was both swift and positive among urban-core denizens, but whether or not Warshaw and Eppig would be able to make the project happen was something of an iffy proposition.
“It’s 2020, so nothing is a given. Typically, ABC licensing can take four-to-six months. Thankfully, they’re moving a little quicker right now,” says Warshaw. “A couple of weeks back, as we started prepping to open, San Diego reverted to the purple tier, so we can’t even use our well-spaced indoor seating for the foreseeable future. as with any small brewery, between Stephanie and our fellow partners, Nate Stephens and Clayton LeBlanc, there is a level of triage to many things, from the brewery to sales, social media, tasting rooms, staffing and hiring, COVID rules and restrictions. Sure, adding another location is a great idea. Yes, that’s sarcasm.”
For more than a decade, Eppig’s temporary digs have been used to further the cause and visibility of craft beer. Waypoint Public was founded with a focus on providing artisanal ales and lagers in a family-friendly environment. Prior to its arrival, restaurateur Jay Porter operated his forward-thinking, beer-centric spot, The Linkery, from 2005 to 2013. Ahead of its time in its embrace of craft beer—particularly the local variety—it was a big hit with members of the San Diego brewing industry.
Eppig will make good use of the 30-tap system Waypoint Public left behind, stocking it with beers from its extensive portfolio. What doesn’t figure to get much use early on due to bans on indoor dining is the building’s interior space. And though the venue is equipped with outdoor dining space extending from its patio to the sidewalk and street parking areas, Eppig can’t apply to utilize that space until their ABC approval is received, which means, all beer sales will likely be to-go initially. That will likely be extended by an all-but-certain, State-imposed stay-at-home order, but Eppig’s ownership remains hopeful.
“We’ve made a lifetime of pivots and adjustments these last nine months. With our seasoned tasting-room team, I’m confident we can roll with just about anything,” says Warshaw. “We’ve already been shipping beer to customers all over California, we offer curbside pickup at both our Vista and Point Loma locations, and will do the same at new spot upon opening. With the North Park neighborhood’s support, I’m just eager to get the doors open, even if customers can’t come inside for a little while longer.”
To be updated regarding the debut and operating status of Eppig’s North Park tasting room, fans are advised to follow them on Facebook.
Eppig Brewing’s pop-up tasting room is located at 3794 30th Street in North Park