In 2015, AleSmith celebrated 20 years in San Diego with undoubtedly the busiest period in the brewery’s history, moving into a new 105,550 square foot facility.
In October, the company opened its 25,000 square foot tasting room, the largest in the county.
In December, AleSmith formally established their partnership with Denmark-based “gypsy brewer” Mikkeller, who have started brewing test batches on the same 30-barrel system that AleSmith used to produce 15,000 barrels of beer annually, just two blocks east.
Today, in coordination with the Tony & Alicia Gwynn Foundation, AleSmith is launching a crowd-funding campaign to help build a 5,000 square foot Tony Gwynn Museum inside its facility. AleSmith owners Peter and Vicky Zien first met the Gwynns in 2014 when collaborating to brew a special beer per Tony’s specifications — San Diego Pale Ale .394.
The campaign, just five hours old, has already raised $12,895 of its $100,000 goal.
“Like so many San Diegans, the Ziens have been extremely supportive since Tony’s passing. It brings to light just how much my husband meant to this community, making it so fitting that his life, times and memory will have a permanent home in the heart of San Diego at a place where his fans can pay tribute and remember so many wonderful memories,” said Alicia Gwynn. “For us, it’s as much about Tony as the people who loved him, and we’ve come up with opportunities for his fans to be a part of the museum in meaningful, lasting ways.”
This Friday, a free Museum Christening Event will take place from 4 to 10 p.m., featuring speeches from Alicia Gwynn and Tony Gwynn, Jr., special Tony Gwynn memorabilia, special-edition AleSmith beers, and food from the Gwynn Gourmet truck.
Fans who contribute to the Generosity.com campaign are rewarded with a variety of items based on donation levels:
• Personalized Founders Bricks
• Personalized Mosaic Tiles
• Founders Navy Sandlot Tee or Tank-Top
• Founders Vintage Brown Tee or Tank-Top
• Tony Gwynn Baseball Card
• AleSmith Priority Package
• Museum First-Look Package
The museum is currently under construction, with plans to debut before the Major League Baseball All-Star Game comes to San Diego in July. Once open, the Tony Gwynn Museum will be free-of-charge to visitors.
On June 18, the second annual Mr. Padre 5.5K will begin and end at AleSmith. All funds raised will go to the museum’s construction on its expedited schedule. Superfluous funds will go to the TAG Foundation. Registration information will be available in April.
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