When CraftWorks Holdings announced it was shuttering Mission Valley’s Gordon Biersch brewpub last June, it sent waves through the local beer community. People within the industry saw it as a sign of the competitive times, seeing a brewery-restaurant that had operated for 20 years close down. On top of that, there was great concern for the future of that spot’s brewmaster. That man, Doug Hasker, is regarded as San Diego’s foremost expert in the brewing of lagers, bottom-fermenting beers with origins in Eastern Europe. His reputation and abilities led Puesto Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar to retain his services when they took over the former Gordon Biersch space, with plans to get into the brewing game at its new Puesto Cerveceria. That space opened to the public today, debuting Hasker’s first drafts.
The Mission Valley brewpub is Puesto’s third San Diego store. Due to current governmental regulations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Puesto Cerveceria is open solely for outdoor dining. In addition to its expansive patio area, the restaurant is also able to use a large portion of the extensive parking lot in front of its main entrance for service. Eventually, Puesto’s owners hope to make full use of their 10,000-square-foot, 450-seat brewpub, which underwent an $8 million renovation under its new ownership. For now, utilizing the kitchen and 20-barrel brewhouse is a nice early victory.
In order to ensure enough of Puesto’s core family of Mexican-style lagers would be on tap, Hasker engaged in a contract-brewing relationship with Chula Vista’s Thr3e Punk Ales Brewing. With a little help from his amigos, he was able to brew Puesto Mexican Lager, Puesto Amber Lager and a dark lager dubbed Puesto Negra. He also brewed the first of a monthly, rotating stock of beers going beyond Mexican-inspired styles, a West Coast pale ale fortified with Citra and Simcoe hops. Those beers will be built to pair with Puesto’s Taco of the Month offerings.
During his last year or two with Gordon Biersch, Hasker broke out of his lager box, brewing more New World styles as well as his first-ever Mexican-style lager. With the latter, he discovered how seamlessly his decades of German-style lager-brewing experience translated to the types of beers Puesto’s ownership wants him to make.
“In brewing Mexican-style lagers, I’m hoping to add a pillar to Puesto that’s equally as strong as the other pillars they already have in place, like really good food and Margaritas,” says Hasker. “My goal is to make the best Mexican-style lagers in the state. There are a lot of good ones out there, but that’s what I’m aiming for. To do that, I’ve received a lot of help and tips from my friends in the industry through our collaborations.”
Those contemporaries include Ryan Brooks from cross-border operation SouthNorte Beer Co., Ivan Maldonado from Hispanic-owned Thr3e Punk Ales, Greg Hoover from Fall Brewing, and Chris Gillogly from The Original 40 Brewing. And he’s receiving assistance from another industry friend on a daily basis. Dan Anderson, the award-winning former head brewer from Rock Bottom’s defunct La Jolla brewpub (another CraftWorks property) is Hasker’s assistant brewer, reprising a role he fulfilled earlier in his career.
“Dan was my assistant before he went to Rock Bottom La Jolla. That closed, so he’s back with me until he finds a job that’s reflective of his résumé,” says Hasker. “He’s probably won more medals than just about anyone else over the past several months. I couldn’t do this without him right now.”
Puesto Cerveceria was originally scheduled to open around Thanksgiving of last year, then it was moved to the end of January. Then COVID struck, moving things back months. Today’s opening should appease fans of Hasker’s who have been thirsty for a taste of his new beers.
“During my ‘two months off,’ I felt anxiety of how I would be able to make beer as clean as Pacifico on a craft level. Seeing a lot of people on social media say they’re excited to have my beer again—even people I don’t know—felt so good. I couldn’t wait to get back at it,” says Hasker. “With the resurgence of lagers and the rise of the Mexican-style lager, in particular, I’m really excited to be a part of this and draw off pieces of what I’ve known over the years.”
Puesto Cerveceria is located at 5010 Mission Center Road in Mission Valley.