In June, we reported on the sudden and unusual closing of Alta Brewing, which came as a result of head brewer Brett Stampf‘s resignation. It took a while, but the Barrio Logan business is once again operative and its tasting room has been open for the past month. Owner John Bull has hired a new brewer and intends to shift the beer styles Alta produces, while sticking to preexisting goals for the business.
Prior to the temporary closure, Bull and company had begun searching for a place at which to open a satellite tasting room. That search is back on, along with a preordained expansion of Alta’s cellar to meet increased demand he and his associates expect once they secure a limited number of bar and restaurant accounts. Bull expects that process to take roughly six months. Also in the works is a refresh of Alta’s tasting room; several tweaks to brighten the space up and make it more inviting to customers.
On the beer front, Alta is now helmed by new head brewer Chris Angel. A graduate of San Diego State University’s Business of Craft Beer certificate program, Angel served as head brewer for La Mesa’s Bolt Brewery from 2015 to 2017. While he was there, he introduced the concept of gluten reduction to the company’s portfolio. This is important to him as his wife is gluten-intolerant, and he intends to maintain this practice at Alta.
Gluten-reduction isn’t the only change he has in store for the company’s beers. Angel and Bull agree that their portfolio should include a vaster array of beer styles than what was available during Stampf’s tenure. To that end, their core line-up will feature a German-style pilsner, pale ale, imperial red ale, San Diego IPA, and porter (which will be served traditionally as well as on nitrogen). The full line of new offerings is estimated to be available by mid-October.
Alta Brewing is located at 1983 Julian Avenue. Hours of operation are 4 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays and 5 to 10 p.m. on Mondays.