You should drink more beer from New English Brewing Co.
Perhaps you already are. After all, the secret’s slipping out. The brewery has been open since 2007, and Zumbar Chocolate Coffee Imperial Stout just won a Gold Medal in the 2015 Great American Beer Festival – the country’s highest beer competition. The 9.3% Imperial Stout combines Indonesian and South American Coffee beans and 2 pounds per barrel of Belgian dark chocolate. A favorite of the Los Angeles County Fair’s beer competition for years, in 2015 the beer won Best of Show along with Gold medals in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Zumbar is only one great beer in the New English lineup — which has evolved dramatically over the years. A couple of newer offerings include the popular Pure & Simple IPA and the Two Legit DIPA. Explorer E.S.B. is one of the “classic” beers that New English has crafted since day one, and is perhaps the best example of the style found in San Diego County. That fine brew is now joined by more adventurous offerings such as Birra Catania, a Belgian ale made with basil and lemongrass.
The brewery has been expanding its barrel-aging program. A new customer favorite is the Bourbon Barrel Aged Brown Ale, an elaboration on the Brewer’s Special Brown Ale. A special collaboration beer, Adams Avenue Imperial Porter, has been brewed for Bine & Vine’s 4th Anniversary and will be released this month. The 8.5%, 70 IBU Porter was made with Guatemalan Coffee from Dark Horse Coffee Roasters (both businesses are located on Adams Avenue). Full of licorice and caramel flavors, the beer is balanced with a smooth bitterness and just a hint of coffee.
The addition of new beers reflects the growth and future direction of New English Brewing. To keep up with demand, owner Simon Lacey and his team have been steadily expanding the brewery and tasting room. “With the addition of two new 40 BBL fermentors in January, we’re looking forward to producing more of our newer favorites, like Pure & Simple IPA (hopped w/ Mosaic & Citra) and Two Legit DIPA” says Lacey, proprietor and brewmaster.
“We are banging on all cylinders coming off our GABF Gold for Zumbar and are feeling pretty good about the next 12 months,” he adds. In the next 30 days, the tasting room is getting a facelift. The addition of a lounge area will bring extra sofas and tables. In early 2016, the brewery is adding 3600 extra square feet for a total of over 10,000 square feet. Expect to hear more from New English in the coming months.
The brewery and tasting room is located West of the 5 at 11545 Sorrento Valley Road Ste 305.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR WEST COASTER READERS: We opened $200 tab up at the brewery. Mention this post and the secret code word “Porter” and get your first beer on us (while the tab lasts).
New English Brewing Co. is a longtime advertiser with West Coaster.