North Park-based Eppig Brewing Company opened strong amid last year’s San Diego Beer Week festivities. In the 12 months that have passed, the company has drummed up a solid following, gaining a stellar reputation as one of the finer lager-brewing operations in the county. That reputation and patronage have emboldened Eppig’s owners to open a second location, a satellite tasting room at 2817 Dickens Street in Point Loma.
One look at the space—a brand-new, contemporary building overlooking a yacht-filled harbor with an unimpeded view of downtown San Diego—is all it takes to understand why it was highly coveted by other local breweries the Eppig’s eventually outbid. The facility comes in at 1,200 square feet. It is outfitted with six roll-up garage doors, an L-shaped bar that will serve from 20 taps, and a small, 600-square-foot area for indoor imbibing.
Considering a lack of optimal tasting-room space at its original location is one of the reasons ownership selected this mode of expansion, one might wonder why the new sampling space doesn’t offer more interior seating, but it is purposeful. Eppig’s new spot includes a wrap-around patio that comes in between 2,400 and 3,000 square feet, and the owners want to encourage patrons to enjoy outdoor seating that will include a shaded front patio, a drink rail overlooking the docks and, eventually, a fire-pit area. The outdoor areas will be equipped with natural-gas space heaters and two of the garage doors will be equipped with order access to the bar. Says co-owner Stephanie Eppig, “We are well known for making styles of beer that are great for enjoying outdoors, and now we have the venue to go with them.”
Beers will be available for consumption on-site as well as to-go in crowlers. Also available will be sandwiches, wraps, chips and salsa, and cheese platters prepared offsite by a local chef. No seafood will be offered as Eppig and company feel local eateries such as Mitch’s Seafood and Point Loma Seafoods have that covered, and they want to be respectful of their new neighbors. Customers will also be permitted to bring their own food.
Despite being bordered by an ocean, this is the first brewery-owned property to offer a waterfront drinking option of this nature. Events that make use of this unique natural amenity, such as al fresco yoga sessions, are in development. But first, the team will focus on getting open. They are currently awaiting final permitting so that the final phases of construction can be completed. If all goes as planned, the business will debut to the public in November or early December.