In April, 10-year-old Kearny Mesa’s Societe Brewing announced it had closed on a site to house its first-ever satellite venue. That 2,800-square-foot space is on the south end of San Diego’s historic Old Town area bordering a courtyard shared with neighboring businesses, Old Town Model Railroad Depot and Churchill’s Cigar Lounge. The company endeavored to debut its offshoot tasting room to the public before summer was out. That plan required the project to be split into two phases.
Societe’s team expected the tasting room to have a “pop-up” feel following completion of the first phase, but the construction process has gone exceptionally well. Enough that visitors can expect rather complete and polished environs when the Old Town spot opens to the public later this week.
“We were able to get a lot more done than expected in terms of level of finish and even add some things that we just assumed were going to have to be pushed to phase two, like making the patio a great hangout,” says Vice President of Branding and Special Projects Mike Boggess. “We’re all very proud of how it came together so quickly and just how finished it feels.”
The columnar space is furnished with long tables and benches against a wall with the company’s slogan “beer folk unite” painted on it. The opposite side of the space features a long bar and various placards displaying the names and stats for the beers that are on-tap, leading to a back entrance featuring the silhouette of a cowboy atop a bucking steed.
“The main entrance and patio connect the two-story tower in the courtyard to the first of our two suites. From there, you walk into a fully built taproom with an awesome 16-tap wood bar that feels like Societe with a hometown San Diego vibe,” says Boggess. “We used local artists and craftspeople with as much material sourced from around town as possible.”
Boggess says he and his colleagues plans to jump straight into expansion of the second suite, which will double the location’s interior space. Construction on phase two is expected to be completed in early 2023.
“It’s an honor for Societe to be a part of such a landmark here our hometown, and we want to make San Diego proud,” says Boggess. “Phase one wasn’t built to be a phase but a space where you want to come and enjoy a beer. We can’t wait to expand it.”
In other Societe news, last week Assemblymember Brian Maienschein recognized the company as the 2022 Small Business of the Year for the 77th Assembly District.
“Societe Brewing is a prime example of the outstanding food and beverage businesses that San Diego County has to offer,” said Maienschein. “I am pleased to honor Societe Brewing and the diligent staff that deliver exceptional service to our community every day.”
Societe’s Old Town taproom will open to the public as soon as it receives its license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which is expected to occur later this week. The venue’s hours of operation will mirror those of its Kearny Mesa progenitor: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays and Mondays.
Societe Brewing’s Old Town Taproom is located at 2415 San Diego Avenue