Praising the Bar: Five Suits Brewing

Shortly after opening in 2020, in the midst of a pandemic that challenged even the most established, formidable beer companies, little-brewery-that-could Five Suits Brewing won the Best Customer Service Award at the inaugural San Diego Beer News Awards. It’s particularly impressive when one considers that the business doesn’t have any tasting room employees and the considerable workload of a co-owner who somehow finds time to tend bar on top of serving as the company’s pick-up and delivery driver, canner, secretary, janitor and on-site events representative. She is one of the busiest yet warmest and most outgoing people in the local beer industry, and we’re happy to introduce you to her in this week’s edition of Praising the Bar.

Kandy Corona
Co-owner & Tasting Room Manager

Where did you grow up?
I grew up on 40 acres in the mountains of Yakima, Washington, the hop capital of the world!

What brought you to San Diego?
I moved to San Diego from Las Vegas 19 years ago because my ex-husband (and Five Suits co-founder), Nick, wanted to raise our family here. 

When and how did you get into craft beer?
Fourteen years ago, when I was a bartender at Valley View Casino, Nick came home and said he wanted to open a brewery. I loved the idea, so we started saving all my tips and cutting back on everything we could to save the money needed to make our dream come true.

What do you love most about your job?
I love it most when we have a packed house and everyone is smiling, relaxed and really enjoying the vibe we have created. 

Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least? 
My least favorite thing is waiting for a band to break down after a long 15-hour day and, instead of doing that, they are chatting with each other and in no hurry to leave. 

What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?
I am extremely proud that Nick and I have created a beautiful Vegas lounge vibe, where people of all backgrounds can come to relax and enjoy live entertainment with our delicious beer. 

What do you love most about the company you work for?
I love working for myself. With hospitality as my background, I take pride in the high standard of customer service I provide every person that comes in the door. 

What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?
My favorite beer is our Pit BOS hefeweizen. This was the beer that really solidified my taste for craft beer. 

What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?
I enjoy Dos Desperados Brewery’s Hazy Daisy (hazy IPA) and Mother Earth Brew Co.’s Cali Creamin’ (vanilla cream ale).

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?
Dos Desperados in San Marcos and Barrel & Stave Brewing in Vista

Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?
I love all my regulars and am happy to call them all friends. 

Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?
It wasn’t funny at the time, but I was working alone on a busy Friday night and five kegs kicked one after the other. I was running back and forth changing them out, feeling like a chicken with my head cut off. It was hilarious! 

What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you’re in control? 
I like to play Dive Bar Radio. It covers a lot of music and everyone enjoys it. 

What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?
Cornerstones are always having clean bathrooms, a welcoming atmosphere, and fast service so our guests can sit down to enjoy their beer and relax.

What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom? 
Ask your bartender for recommendations and what’s the freshest beer on-tap. And maybe try a new style you’ve never had before. 

What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry? 
Being happy and successful in whatever I choose to do while also having a fulfilling life away from work, which has been the biggest challenge in owning and operating my own business. 

What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere? 
My favorite things have been hosting private events in the tasting room, performing on our stage for our second and third anniversary events, the Vista Strawberry Festival and the Hops in the Hills beer festival, where we raised money for local schools where all three of my children were enrolled. 

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work? 
When I’m not working, I enjoy riding my bike in Discovery Hills, going to the beach, lifting weights, taking dance classes and hanging out with my kids. 

Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct answer)? 
Who do I think I am? When we first started this journey 14 years ago, I wondered how I would fit in. I would question what to wear when going to a brewery or event, and finally decided to just be myself and do what needed to be done to keep our brewery moving forward. Hopefully, I’ve done that with grace in my own style and flair. I’ve definitely developed the strength and confidence to do “man jobs“ because I was on my own and couldn’t operate without said job being completed. Thankfully, I could usually get assistance on the phone from Nick when needed. This has been an incredible experience of great highs and extreme lows that I am still learning to manage. You know what they say…the show must go on.

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