{"id":21424,"date":"2018-11-14T08:00:50","date_gmt":"2018-11-14T16:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/archives.csusm.edu\/westcoastersd\/?p=21424"},"modified":"2018-11-15T08:37:56","modified_gmt":"2018-11-15T16:37:56","slug":"the-story-behind-helia-brewing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archives.csusm.edu\/westcoastersd\/2018\/11\/14\/the-story-behind-helia-brewing\/","title":{"rendered":"The story behind Helia Brewing"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I first reported on Helia Brewing<\/strong><\/a> in February of 2017, its owners were working under the name White Fence Brewing. Two follow-up pieces this year included info on the company’s new name, the address of the Vista brewery and its soft open date. Through all the reporting, owners Kelby Pedery-Edwards<\/strong> and Thomas Brogiollo<\/strong> stayed intentionally mum on the details of their project, but a month into Helia\u2019s lifespan they\u2019re finally ready to get into the nitty-gritty of their young Vista interest.<\/p>\n

Though located in inland North County, the brewery\u2019s roots actually span to the coast. The duo met in the Encinitas community of Leucadia. Brogiollo surfed on a daily basis and Pedery-Edwards\u2019 home was on his return route from the beach. Often, the garage door would be open while Pedery-Edwards homebrewed. One day, attracted by the cereal aromas of the boil and sufficiently intrigued, Brogiollo poked his head in to ask what was going on. That simple query launched a friendship and homebrewing partnership that now spans half a decade.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver time, other neighbors and friends started congregating in our garage on the brewing days and would sample the goods,\u201d says Pedery-Edwards, who acts as Helia\u2019s head brewer with assistance from Brogiollo. \u201cIt was our communities\u2019 support, encouragement, and enthusiasm for the brew that led us to open our brewery. They are still our life blood and have supported us through this journey.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Tom Brogiollo (left) and Kelby Pedery-Edwards of Helia Brewing in Vista<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At first, it was envisioned as a short journey from a geographic perspective. Pedery-Edwards grew up in Encinitas and Brazilian-native Brogiollo\u2019s family were regular visitors during his youth. Unfortunately, in a story that has played out with great regularity, permitting issues with the City of Encinitas proved insurmountable. So, the pair opted for a municipality with government officials and fellow breweries that were much more welcoming.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a logical brewery home. Like Napa for wine, clusters of breweries are a benefit to all,\u201d says Pedery-Edwards. \u201cPeople come to Vista as a destination to drink delicious craft beer. We are proud to be here among brewing friends and colleagues. The business and residential community here continues to grow and support good craft beer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Helia\u2019s tasting room was designed to fit a \u201cchill, bohemian beach vibe.\u201d To achieve that, they worked with interior designers (and good friends) Elaina Myers <\/strong>and Susanna Samaniego <\/strong>of Design 4 Corners<\/strong><\/a>. At the onset of the project, the former was living in Bali, and some of the furniture that ended up in the tasting room was actually sourced on that Indonesian island before she moved back to California. Adding additional pop to the space is a mural by local artist, Mitch Hogan<\/strong>, and a shot from prominent ocean-and-surf photographer Todd Glaser<\/strong> (who is also an investor in the business).<\/p>\n

Helia\u2019s beers are brewed on a 15-barrel, three-vessel American Craft Fabrication<\/strong><\/a> system. The beers are designed to be refreshing enough for perpetual enjoyment in coastal environs, and the current tap list is as follows:<\/p>\n