San Diego's first craft brewery "incubator" will launch this week. CRAFT by Brewery Igniter, H.G. Fenton Company’s one-of-a-kind craft beer destination combining three microbreweries in one location will see its unique facility come to life with its first tenant, J & L Eppig Brewing, set to serve up tasty suds with its grand opening on November 19 from 11am-10pm. Located in the heart of North Park’s beer scene at 3052 El Cajon Blvd, the grand opening will feature opportunities for local craft beer lovers to meet Eppig’s brewers, win prizes and taste at least 10 of Eppig’s German-style lagers and other specialty beers.
CRAFT by Brewery Igniter is a turnkey real estate concept that helps startup brewers overcome the challenges of launching a brewery, providing greatly reduced upstart costs, lower investment risk and streamlined construction management. CRAFT offers state-of-the-art brewing systems and tasting rooms for its three tenants, J & L Eppig Brewing, Pariah Brewing Company and San Diego Brewing Company.
"CRAFT will be an exciting destination for beer lovers and a dynamic and innovative setting for brewmasters who can collaborate on brews and promotions," says Bill Hooper, a portfolio manager with H.G. Fenton’s commercial team. "We developed Brewery Igniter to help these passionate San Diego entrepreneurs succeed, so it’s always a thrill to see their visions come to life."
With 150 years of brewing history and heritage, Eppig Brewing is living up to its legacy by incorporating the historical family business with modern craft brewing techniques to produce beers that please and challenge the palate.
"Brewery Igniter allowed us to open our doors more quickly - 150 years after the first Eppig family brewery - as well as secure a location in our neighborhood and burgeoning craft hub of North Park," said Stephanie Eppig, director of marketing for Eppig Brewing.
Pariah Brewing Company and San Diego Brewing Company are in their final phases of customizing their space before opening to the public. They, too, will be brewing beer within CRAFT’s expansive facilities, which include independent 10-barrel brewing systems and significant cellar capacity for each brewer. Both companies are slated for grand openings in the coming months. The facilities at CRAFT make it possible for Pariah and SDBC to focus on the craft of brewing and provides the opportunity to push boundaries.
Pariah’s brewmaster, Brian Mitchell, is formerly of Stone Brewing and intends to break new ground by specializing in beers made with a variety of unique ingredients and techniques. Most recently, he created a batch using a yeast culture captured from a flowering tree in his own backyard. San Diego Brewing Company, one of San Diego’s original breweries, brings decades of experience to the table. The increased capacity at CRAFT will give SDBC the opportunity to brew a wide assortment of new craft recipes.
For more information about CRAFT by Brewery Igniter and its tenants, visit BreweryIgniter.com.
