SDBC brews for Urban Surf 4 Kids

San Diego Brewing Co. (SDBC) is collaborating with a local hops farmer, Horsethief Hops, on a special project to benefit the lives of local foster children. The seventh-annual, limited-edition Wet Hops Fundraiser will celebrate the launch of Ohana Mana IPA, a labor of love donated by a local homebrewer, harvested by volunteers and brewed by SDBC. The special beer brunch pairing event will take place on Sunday, August 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at SDBC.

Each year, Urban Surf 4 Kids selects a new brew partner, and this unique collaboration will raise funds for the local nonprofit, which provides surf therapy, mentoring and life skills for local children living in foster care. Proceeds from the beer will help fund the Hanai Mentoring Program in honor of the 50 volunteer mentors who have dedicated the last seven months to mentoring children ages 7-18 who are living in foster care. The public is invited to join in on this annual celebration.

Ohana Mana is a 5.5% West Coast IPA brewed with locally grown hops from Horse Thief Hops, which include Southern Cross, Pacific Gem, Comet, Rakau and Columbus varietals with 100% Gambrinus IPA Malt. This special beer will be paired with a delicious brunch menu that you don’t want to miss!

“This beer collaboration is so cool,” says Urban Surf 4 Kids Executive Director Roxanne Avant. “What an opportunity to brew beer with fresh hops grown locally and celebrate a family of big-hearted folks supporting under privileged kids. Ohana style for sure.”

Ohana Mana features bright, ripe aromas of tropical fruit, melon, hints of white wine, pineapple and a kiss of berries. The 100% Gambrinus IPA malt gives the beer some sturdy legs to stand on while letting the hops take the lead in this symphony of South Pacific-inspired local growth. The beer’s lower ABV (alcohol-by-volume) and welcoming, firm bitterness allow it to still be considered an IPA…session IPA if one prefers! The Ohana Mana spirit was felt from the hop field to the picking tables to the kettle when creating this beverage.

For seven years, local farmer and homebrewer, Eli Palma, owner of Horsethief Hops in Japatul Valley, has generously donated his entire crop of hops to be used in this special project. From planting the seeds, to installing multiple 20-foot trellises, to tending the crop and, finally, the harvesting of the bines. Palma has donated hundreds of hours of his time dedicated to helping Urban Surf 4 Kids raise money for healing programs for young people in crisis.

“Being lucky enough to have grown up as a native San Diegan, the close proximity to the ocean has brought me a lifelong positive wellbeing,” says Palma. “The psychologically restorative effects of the ocean can really help put life in perspective. Urban Surf 4 Kids gives children the same opportunity I had to build that same lifelong connection with our ocean and help build a healthy alternative to overcome life’s adversities.”

SDBC’s three-course brunch menu for the event will include the following:

• Moco Loco: House smash patty with white rice, Old Town Nut Brown onion gravy and an over-easy egg
• Kalua Pork Chilaquiles: Roasted pork with sauteed tortilla chips, roasted tomatillo salsa, eggs, crema and cilantro
• Ube Belgian Waffles: Belgian waffles with mango, toasted coconut and ube Chantilly cream.

“During its more than 30 years in the San Diego beer and restaurant scene, SDBC has been producing great small-batch beers and hosting beer-lovers in the east Mission Valley area. With new ownership having taken over in 2023, the growth of the SDBC family is upon us,” says the brewpub’s co-owner Tyson Blake. “We couldn’t be more excited and proud to represent San Diego and continue to cultivate relationships and collaboration in this fine city and beyond.”

Urban Surf 4 Kids is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides surf therapy, mentoring, and life-skills achievement programs for foster and at-risk youth who have been victims of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Events are made possible through volunteer and donor support. For more information on how to get involved with Urban Surf 4 Kids, visit the organization’s website.

San Diego Brewing Co. is located at 10450 Friars Road in Mission Valley