Amplified Ale Works debuted in 2012, and instantly gained a following thanks to a prime location a block from the ocean in Pacific Beach. With access to abundant sunshine, tourists and locals alike, the brewpub turned many newcomers onto craft behind house brews and an always-impressive array of guest ales and lagers. The business was successful enough that, in 2016, it graduated from its humble kitchen-adjacent brewhouse to include a leased production facility in Miramar at H.G. Fenton’s original Brewery Igniter facility. That space includes a tasting room where visitors can ask questions about and really get to know Amplified’s offerings, but owner Alex Pierson wanted that sort of experience to be available to customers in PB. His solution was to build a beer-only tasting room at his flagship location, and that spot—Amplified BackStage—will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, April 13.
Amplified BackStage is located at 4150 Mission Boulevard, Suite 105, directly underneath the brewpub. Coming in at 800 square feet, it takes the brand’s music-and-concert motif to the next level. Photos from a 1989 performance by legendary grunge act Nirvana span a 25-foot interior wall and a 20-foot wraparound bar (giving way to 16 tap dispensing a rotating stock of Amplified beers) is decorated with more than 2,000 cassettes that can be removed and played upon request. The main sampling space gives way to a “Green Room” in back with posters from artist Frank Kozik, a speaker wall of sound and bench seating. The entire venue can hold up to 50 people. In addition to providing an ideal spot for education and connoisseurship, it can be reserved for private parties.
Several archived barrel-aged beers will be available at the grand opening celebration, which will also feature a new IPA, Abolish the Rules, that was brewed with Nelson Sauvin and Hallertau Blanc hops, plus a 100% pilsner-malt base. And thanks to Pierson’s tireless efforts to have Amplified’s live-music restriction removed, they will be able to offer eventgoers a brief set from three-time San Diego Music Award winning act, Low Volts, with whom a collaboration beer is in the works. Amplified BackStage’s hours of operation will be 5 to 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday and noon to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.