Praising the Bar: East Village Brewing

In two short years, East Village Brewing has established itself in its namesake neighborhood, thanks as much to its quality beers as the inviting team behind the bar (two of whom worked with the brewers who founded the company at another local brewing institution). Whether the place is packed with people pre-gaming (or post-gaming) ahead of a Padres game or concert at caddy-corner Petco Park, or it’s a slow night serving residents of the condos directly above the brewery, this trio makes sure everybody’s treated like a regular and gets what they need. Read on for more on that and what makes these hospitality all-stars so special.

Dana Palazzolo-Neff
Tasting Room Lead

Where did you grow up?
Sunny San Diego! More specifically the inland North County areas of Rancho Bernardo, Poway, Escondido and Vista. I’ve moved away twice and came right on back to home sweet home.

When and how did you get into craft beer?
In 2010, at the age of 21, I first dipped my taste buds into craft beer as a server at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery. I have always worked in hospitality, and when I got the opportunity of a lifetime to open up Ballast Point’s first tasting room and kitchen in Little Italy in 2013, I jumped on it. Little did I know that I would gain relationships from an entire global community from a service gig and be really invested in as an employee for the first time to sell what was the best beer in the country. It was truly all the formal training, including beer-judge certifications, draft-maintenance courses, level one Cicerone requirements and involvement in the Pink Boots Society, that made me realize that I had found purpose in the niche of craft beer. 

What other beer employers and positions are on your résumé?
Other than Ballast Point, I followed a previous co-worker and mentor over to open The Original 40 Brewing in North Park in 2019. You can never have too much income in San Diego. The beer industry had really become a monster by that point and it was exciting to be representing a new company with a new shiny tasting room, plus a different perspective on beer and culinary arts from the brewers and chefs I worked with there. 

What do you love most about your job?
The regulars, my beloved coworkers and the lifelong friendships I have created from all the many tasting rooms that I have opened or been a part of. 

Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?
Light Answer: The fact that I work so much that don’t have the time to check out as many other breweries as I would like! Heavy Answer: Dealing professionally with industry drama, regarding who is going through organizational changes, who is “selling out”, who is popping up the most satellite tasting rooms, etc. The public loves to poke at you for information and opinions. Focusing on my current brand’s accomplishments is always my priority and makes me proud. 

What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?
I have been a major part of the opening staff of six different taprooms throughout San Diego County, plus one in Temecula. I would like to think I have left a positive spark about how to treat everyone walking through the door like your own family, and that has resonated with those I have worked with and all the guests that I have welcomed over the years. 

What do you love most about the company you work for?
There is no question about the quality or freshness of the beer made by East Village’s founders, Aaron Justus and Brandon Green. I never have to think about what my favorite beer is. It could be any of them on tap on any given day.

What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?
Well since you ask, I am a sucker for a sour and Revel, this 7% (alcohol-by-volume) kettle-sour with organic raspberries, could possibly take the cake. I would give it a seven-out-of-ten for sourness level, and it finishes dry and tart without being offensively puckering or overly sweet from the fruit. Plus, can I get an amen for a sour over 5%? 

What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?
I have to shout out Le Freak from Green Flash Brewing for being my first-ever craft beer that sucked me in. A Belgian tripel seems like a good place to start. I will miss that brand. Currently and always, I am a big fan of B.Right.On pale ale at OB Brewery and Rain Pilsner by Pure Project Brewing! Some days I feel like putting back a few dank and hoppy beers ranging from lagers to West Coast IPAs, and other days I want to savor a toasty dry stout, black IPA (if this unicorn ever pops up) and, of course, a fruited sour for dessert. 

What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you’re off the clock?
I always mention the two breweries I listed above as favorites, but it means a lot to me to share the customer love with our neighbors here in the East Village. I send people in either a west or east loop of the neighborhood. To the east, we have Mission Brewing, great friends, neighbors and pioneers of San Diego craft beer, along with the equally respected Church by The Lost Abbey. Each of our breweries offer different styles of beer and different atmospheres, which keeps things interesting and tasty for beer-lovers on a self-guided tour. And to the west of us we have WestBrew and Half Door Brewing, where I’ve enjoyed every experience.

Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?
Our regulars from the Park 12 building that our tasting room resides in have become nothing short of family. We do potlucks together, exchange birthday gifts and confide in each other. That really extends to all the residents of East Village that have been so good to us over these first two years in business. The East Village family is really something special and I am proud to be a part of it. As one of the regulars recently told me, “This is our community center.” 

Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?
I cannot tell you how many times I have had people I know from completely different walks of life randomly walk into this tasting room. I can’t get over it! I met someone at a music festival in 2015 at the very north tip of California, and she recently moved to San Diego and just strolled in one day. We made eye contact and knew each other immediately! Many things happen to me here that make me know I am in the right place at the right time.  

What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you’re in control?
Like my preferred beer styles, I am relatively diverse in my music genres, but like to keep a vibe on certain days or shift times. Sometimes it is loungy electronic music like Jungle, Glass Animals or LCD Soundsystem, or underground hip-hop like Atmosphere. Naturally for San Diego, there is always time for Slightly Stoopid and Sublime Radio.

What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?
It might be my Italian roots, but I serve and educate our guests as if I have known them my whole life. Sit down at my dining room table (the bar) and let me tell you all about this amazing meal (in a glass) that we will exchange stories and be merry over. Have no prejudgments about what guests know or don’t know, what they like or don’t like, and lead with empathy, as you never know what people are dealing with in their daily lives. 

What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?
If it’s busy and you are waiting in line more than a couple people deep, please have questions ready to go about the beer menu, so when it is your turn we can give you the best customer service in the quickest amount of time. Letting us know what you usually like to drink is very helpful and we can find you something comparable. But also, don’t be afraid to try something new! Especially here at East Village Brewing.  

What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?
I would like to probably make a career pivot one day back to other areas of hospitality, specifically travel and tourism, or continue growing with East Village and develop a corporate training program, if and when things get that crazy. 

What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere?
Anything that I can get in with credentials. Ha! But seriously, I love the San Diego County Fair’s International Beer Fest and I love an anniversary party. Unfortunately I work every weekend, forever, so beer events are very few and far between.  

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
Enjoying all the recreations this beautiful city, county and state have to offer. I am a hiker, swimmer, dancer, dog mom and life partner to someone equally adventurous. 

Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct answer)? 
A life-loving badass you’ll most certainly hear before you see. 

Lindsay Lehnoff
Bartender

Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in SD – both my mom and I are natives – but left for college to go to UC Irvine. I returned not just because San Diego is home, but because the city has a lot of variety and is, generally, very chill and relaxed.

When and how did you get into craft beer?
I got into craft beer when I was attending UC Irvine. There is a craft-beer bar on campus called Anthill Pub & Grille. This was back in 2010, so the craft-beer scene hadn’t fully blown up in SoCal yet. At the time, I was also doing my undergraduate research for my history degree on coffee, so you can say I’ve been invested in beverage culture for a long time now!

What other beer employers and positions are on your résumé?
I worked in the tasting room at Ballast Point’s Scripps Ranch facility from 2012 to 2015. While I was there, I wore many hats, as many “front of the house” folks do. I served beer, led tours of both the brewery and distillery (what eventually became Cutwater Spirits), changed kegs, cleaned beer lines, processed POS (point of service) cashouts, stocked merchandise and cleaned a lot! Ultimately, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes for front-of-house folks that a lot of customers don’t necessarily always think about or notice unless it isn’t done or done well. I’ve also led tours to many different brewing facilities and worked in a craft distillery tasting room as a bartender and, eventually, as the manager.

What do you love most about your job?
There’s just something special about the tasting room environment for a local craft brewery. It really encourages community and appreciation for beer as art. It’s not just about drinking for drinking’s sake. It’s about spending quality time with friends both old and new, and enjoying every sip along the way. So, I’d say my favorite part of the job is being able to work in that type of environment, one that is more like a big family as opposed to coworkers and clients.

Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?
Dealing with situations when someone has had too much to drink. Cutting people off isn’t fun, nor is dealing with the aftermath if that didn’t happen soon enough. Sometimes people show up already very intoxicated and that is something you have little control over, which can be frustrating.

What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?
I am really proud of the knowledge I’ve gained about beer, the industry and beyond. I wrote my M.A. thesis on craft beer in San Diego, and while this took a lot of research outside of my time spent in the industry, my time spent actually working in the industry was invaluable when working on this project. I am also really proud of the friendships and connections I’ve made working in craft beer. I’ve met lifelong friends in the industry and had some of the best times of my life with these folks. My pride in this comes from being able to perform well at my job while still having fun and seeing the people around me as the most important part of what we do.

What do you love most about the company you work for?
East Village Brewing is a perfect example of what I believe craft beer is really about: quality product and community. Our founders are meticulous in creating beer that not only tastes great but is also true to what craft beer is. It is made without chemical additives and they don’t cut corners. Each beer has the same incredible level of thought and care, whether it is going to a competition or being served to an everyday guest. However, the feeling of an all-inclusive community is what I really love the most. One of the company goals is to make every customer feel comfortable in our tasting room, and I think that rings true. Our manager, Dana, greets every person who enters with the same welcoming spirit, whether it’s their first visit or their hundredth. We take great pride in our tasting room and what it has to offer.

What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?
I can never pick! Granted, we tend to not brew the same beer twice, but ultimately I can’t choose because my palate wants something different every day. So it’s usually easier to ask me what my favorite beer is today. Today I’d say the Working Lunch, a dark English mild we have on-tap.

What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?
It’s hard to pick favorites since my tastes are so mood-based, but I will list some beers that are most commonly in my fridge: Pizza Port Brewing’s Chronic (amber ale), Burgeon Beer Co.’s Carlsbad Crush (Mosaic pale ale), Karl Strauss Brewing’s Aurora Hoppyalis (IPA), Societe Brewing’s The Pupil (IPA) and Harland Brewing’s Japanese Lager. When I order beers on-tap, I tend to try and order something I haven’t had before, so it can be hard to remember my draft-only favorites.

What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you’re off the clock?
I live down the street from Pure Project’s Bankers Hill location, so I frequent that spot, both because I love the beer and because it is a quick walk for me! If I am going to make a point to drive somewhere, I will go down to Pizza Port Ocean Beach for great beers and good eats. As far as referring customers, I’ll usually send them to other breweries in the Downtown and Uptown areas, since that’s where we’re located and some people want to stay local. Usually, I recommend The Lost Abbey, Eppig Brewing, Burgeon, Karl Strauss and Pure Project. All of these breweries have very different styles of beermaking, which I also think is great for a local wanting to experience a greater variety and as a tourist who wants to see the scope of what the San Diego beer scene has to offer.

Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?
Ha, I’m not playing that game. I will say, my favorite type of regular customer is someone I can have conversations with about more than just beer. Being able to easily chat about life makes for rewarding moments even when business is a little slow. I also love regulars who understand that creating community means socializing with others in the tasting room who they might not have gotten to know yet and welcoming them into the space if they are new or even just visiting. And of course, I love a regular who treats me as a vital part of the community, even though I am there as a server.

Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?
I’ll share a cute moment from a long time ago. I was out one afternoon at Ballast Point inspecting the lawn outside the tasting room for trash and debris, because making sure our space is clean is a huge part of our job. As I was out there scanning the lawn, I found two random marbles in a planter. I brought them inside and showed them to my coworker. I said, “So, I found two marbles.” She responded with, “Good, because I lost my marbles years ago.” We had a giggle, because as much as working in service and this industry is fun, it is also exhausting and taxing on both the body and mind. I still have those marbles 10 years later because it reminds me of good times, hard times and my coworkers who I worked alongside through it all.

What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you’re in control?
I listen to a bit of everything, but generally I opt for some chill electronic music. I also like asking patrons or the other staff what they are in the mood for. If I have the opportunity to put on my own playlists, I have a mix that I consider my magnum opus called “Me Time”, which is two days’ worth of music with every song I like.

What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?
I think it just comes down to the basics of treating someone how you want to be treated. I love it when servers take the time to have a moment with me, whether it be taking the time to explain a menu item or just share a relatable experience. I also think it’s important to try to provide an individualized experience. Some people want to know everything about the way a beer is made, while some don’t and would rather hear a funny story or even be left alone. Having the ability to read what is most important to that customer in that moment and offering the kind hospitality that they need is key.

What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?
Chat with the staff and ask questions…but don’t hold them hostage. We love taking the time to talk about our product and our space, but sometimes we do have things to do that need to be completed before the end of the day.

What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?
Honestly, right now I’m sort of seeing where the world takes me. I was in the industry some years before I moved on to teaching. COVID changed a lot of aspects of that field in ways I didn’t love, so I ended up back in the industry because I really do love it. Right now, I’m enjoying that space and figuring out what I want to pursue next.

What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere?
I love working in any kind of private event in a brewery or craft-beverage space: weddings, birthdays, even corporate events. People who have maybe never experienced an environment like what we provide have such a fun time celebrating whatever they may be celebrating. Often those folks end up becoming regular customers and coming back time and time again. It’s fun being able to celebrate with folks who are in such a good mood and provide memories that they will cherish.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I am an appreciator and creator of art in many forms. I am a music-head, so I go to a lot of live shows and am also learning how to produce my own music. I love stories, both consuming them in the form of various media or writing them myself. I am very inquisitive, so I spend a lot of time researching whatever I’m interested in at the moment. But above all, I just love spending quality time, in whatever fashion, with my loved ones.

Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct answer)? 
A friend and artist at-large

Angela Vargo
Beertender

Where did you grow up?
Spring Lake, Michigan

What brought you to San Diego?
I wanted a change of scenery. I’ve always been drawn to the water and surfing seemed enticing, so I packed up my car and headed west.

When and how did you get into craft beer?
My first job was in the industry and I’ve been working in it ever since, even if it’s just a side gig. I was introduced to craft beer when I was living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and it was a new scene for me. It went hand-in-hand with the outdoorsy lifestyle up there, and I just kinda fell into it. Now, 10 years have passed and I’m still in it. Dang!

What other beer employers and positions are on your résumé?
I worked at Founders Brewery in Michigan for six years and Pure Project Brewing here in San Diego for three years.

What do you love most about your job?
It’s fun to see people be passionate and geek out about beer. We are here to bring joy to people’s day! 

Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?
When beer gets in my shoes.

What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?
Regulars, yo! Great beer brings people in and building relationships helps keep the homies coming back.

What do you love most about the company you work for?
The beer makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?
Duuuude, that Big Guy ginger IPA!

What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?
Tropical Mist (citrus blonde ale) by Pure Project is my all-time favorite.

What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you’re off the clock?
Pure Project, Societe Brewing and Epigg Brewing…their location by the water is a vibe! Does Bottlecraft count?* The smorgasbord of beers is simply the best, because how can you choose just one brewery on your day off?

* Author’s Note: Yes!

Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?
The dogs

What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you’re in control?
It depends on the mood, weather and time of day, but my default is Gorillaz.

What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?
Be nice!

What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?
I’d like to get involved in non-profit work again, specifically ocean conservation.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
Soaking up all the sun I can get! Skating, surfing, reading, yoga, time with the pets and calling my mom.

Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct answer)?
A self-taught human being enjoying life.

Breweries being spotlighted via our Praising the Bar feature performed exceptionally well in San Diego Beer News Awards voting during the span of 2021 to 2024