The pandemic has slowed or shut down many phases of life as we know it, but the ownership team behind Embolden Beer Co. and New Motion Beverages has been operating at warp speed through it all. In September, the group took over the Miramar facility formerly operated by 32 North Brewing, giving their recently hired duo of former Mission Brewery fermentationists a 20-barrel brewhouse with which to create. And create they did. In the month-plus between the company acquiring the brewery and tasting room and debuting the latter to the public in November, Director of Brewery Operations Cody Morris and Head Brewer Andrew Kelly built a tap list boasting more than two dozen offerings. And now, just a month later, ownership has signed on with Scout Distribution to get its diverse portfolios of beer, hard seltzer, hard kombucha and hard sparkling teas to accounts throughout San Diego and Orange County.
“Everyone on the team could not be more excited to partner with Scout. We have been working on this project for years and it is literally a dream come true to be distributed by this team of amazing people,” says Embolden and New Motion co-founder and CEO Kyle Pool. “We cannot wait to share our products with this great community and be on draft and in stores all over SD and OC.”
As with every phase of Pool’s enterprise, distribution will move quickly, with product being delivered to retail accounts this month. Beers that Embolden will lead with will include Simply Citra Single-Hop IPA, a juicy IPA with West Coast appeal called Rewriting History, and Brave the Haze Hazy Double IPA, all of which will be packaged in four-packs of 16-ounce cans. Early products from New Motion will include Apricot Bliss Hard Sparkling White Tea and Pomegranate Unicorn Hard Sparkling Green Tea. The latter is brewed with pomegranates, blackberries, vanilla and cinnamon. It’s hardly typical or a straightforward combination, yet it’s become so popular it’s currently the company’s second-best seller.
“Part of our mission is to bring new, exciting beer and functional beverages to as many fans as possible,” says co-founder and CMO Andy Sist. “Now that we have formed this partnership, our number one goal is to work closely with the Scout team and put this wide array of cutting-edge beverages in the hands of craft lovers all over Southern California.”
On the innovation front, Embolden embraces and works to push the envelope with top-selling styles such as hazy IPAs, kettle sours and pastry stouts, while also producing traditionally sound ales and lagers. On the New Motion side, in addition to the aforementioned teas, Morris and company are taking hard seltzer to new places, creating varieties that are barrel-aged and mimic rosé wine and mimosas as well as traditional cocktails such as mojitos, mai tais and palomas. Morris believes beverages like these can fill existing gaps in the market, and Scout agrees.
“Working with a brand from its inception is our strong suit at Scout and we are honored to be working with the team at Embolden and New Motion from day one,” says Scout President Anthony Levas. “The beers, hard teas and hard kombuchas that they are producing are top-notch and among some of the best being produced in San Diego today. We see a very bright future for our new friends and partners.”
Embolden Beer Co. and New Motion Beverages is located at 8655 Production Avenue, Suite A, in Miramar