Last November, the owners and head brewer at My Yard Live Beer Co. invited one of their employees into the brewhouse for a collaboration session. That individual, James Zoul, a server at the San Marcos brewpub since day one, invited three of his longtime friends—Nick Bahen, Michael Roth and Matt Zimmerman—to join in on the fun. The resultant 4DUDESBREW, an IPA named for the quartet that lent their elbow grease, was released in early December as a fundraiser beer that racked up $5,000 for the “dudes”—each of whom are adults with developmental disabilities—to contribute to charities near and dear to their hearts.
The non-profit organizations (NPOs) the civilians-turned-brewers selected were:
- ReVision San Diego: An NPO providing inclusive access to art, culture, social practice and environmental education through the framework of a creative workspace.
- Reins (Riding Emphasizing Individual Needs and Strengths): An NPO in Fallbrook offering a therapeutic horsemanship program.
- CARE (Community, Action, Resource, Engagement) Community Center: A local facility looking to increase quality of life for citizens in Southeast San Diego.
- Route 78 Civitan: A local chapter of an international volunteer organization of clubs serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities.
The collaboration was so rewarding and successful on a fundraising level that My Yard Live invited the dudes back to brew another entirely different beer. Dubbed Quatro Amigos, that Mexican-style lager went on tap at the end of May. Like its predecessor, a $1 from the sale of each pint will be put into a fund that the members of the foursome will divvy among charitable organizations. And later this month, My Yard Live will release a mini documentary sharing scenes from throughout the collaboration, from brewing of the beers to debut events at which the dudes have been able to interact with the public over their sudsy creations.
The Quatro Amigos release kicked off a busy sunny season for My Yard Live. Come Sunday, July 3, the three-year-old business will celebrate its anniversary in grand style with a full-blown, multifaceted festival. That event will feature an array of beers, not only from My Yard Live, but local breweries they have close relationships with. The guest brewery list includes nearby operation The Lost Abbey, Oceanside’s Black Plague Brewing, Chula Vista Brewery, Sorrento Mesa brewpub Gravity Heights, Barrio Logan’s Mujeres Brew House and Chula Vista’s Thr3e Punk Ales Brewing. Those businesses will offer tastings along with Henebery Spirits, Setting Sun Sake Brewery and Trust Me Vodka.
In addition to the event-ready indoor-outdoor venue itself, My Yard Live will add additional space care of its parking lot, giving it plenty of room for games—corn hole, giant Jenga, mechanical bull-riding, free ax-throwing and more—plus live music. The latter will be provided by KISSTROYER, Shane Hall, San Diego Brass & Electric and Captain J and the Jive Crew.
My Yard Live’s three-year anniversary will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. The event is all ages, and children under the age of five may attend for free. Tickets can be purchased online.
My Yard Live is located at 288 Rancheros Drive in San Marcos