Yesterday the AleSmith Brewing Company‘s Miramar tasting room re-opened with a constant flow of patrons for at least the first hour and a half. Open-for-business hours will resume their current schedule, with the possibility of adding on Wednesday hours soon. The most notable changes to the tasting room were the elimination of the front lobby room, the big orange and grey walls, the insulated black ceiling meant to reduce noise, new lighting (recessed lighting behind the taps, new west wall and hanging lights), and the two bathrooms replacing just the one before. Normally for The Friday Five we’ll interview one person, but with everyone so busy we’re going to do it a little differently this time:
Changes yet to come — A new L-shaped mahogany bar, the feature that tasting bar/retail sales specialist Abby Heilbron and tasting bar/brewery assistant Nick Betteker “have been looking forward to most,” is set to arrive in the coming weeks. With it, a dishwasher will be installed, and customers will have the option of purchasing – and drinking from – matching glassware for their chosen beer. Pint/taster options will remain the same. In addition, barrels actively aging Speedway Stout and other beers will line the southern wall, lit from below. The floor will also be re-finished, and new belly-high tables will replace current ones.
The big orange wall — Heilbron was “convinced” that the influence of AleSmith head brewer, Ryan Crisp, who is a huge San Francisco Giants fan, was a big reason behind the decision to paint the tasting room’s east wall orange – not to mention that with the grey wall to its left, the AleSmith color scheme simply demands your attention. Photographs from AleSmith’s past and present by John Schulz will line the orange wall (painted on Wednesday) along with a collection of the brewery’s awards.
Coolest moment — One long-time customer of AleSmith brought in a cake, made with Nautical Nut Brown, to celebrate the tasting room’s re-opening. Heilbron told Zien the reason behind the surprise: “He said that if we’re going to celebrate, we’ll need a cake!”
Growth on tap — Owner Peter Zien estimated that 9,000 barrels of beer will be produced this year, doubling last year’s total. In 2013, 15,000 barrels are expected.
Best quote — Heilbron was overheard telling a customer, “I think Peter said it best: ‘The tasting room will finally match the beer.'”