![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archives.csusm.edu\/westcoastersd\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_2004.jpg?ssl=1\" "\\"IMG_2004\\"")
<\/a>Amongst the area’s big boys of AleSmith<\/a>, Ballast Point<\/a>, and a future site of Green Flash<\/a>, Hess Brewing<\/a> takes to the stage as San Diego\u2019s first licensed nano brewery.\u00a0 Strolling into the tasting room, the atmosphere is evocative of your best friend\u2019s garage; however, this skilled friend has just finished brewing some of the best beer in town on a custom-built system.\u00a0 Whichever of Hess\u2019 five or six brews you try on tap, it\u2019s as though that pint were painstakingly created with you in mind. This is fitting as it could very well be the case. Mike Hess and his talented team are offering a service that\u2019s innovative and inspiring: \u201ca unique beer specially brewed just for you and your occasion\u2026If you give us six weeks notice, we can brew-to-order your own special batch.\u201d That\u2019s right \u2013 your very own Build-A-Beer to keep you warm at night. For a brewery whose 51-gallon batches are relatively small, their ideas prove to be anything but.<\/p>\n Hess\u2019 glassware doesn\u2019t lack in stature, either. Weighing \u2013 or voluming \u2013 in at 21.5oz when filled to the brim, these behemoths are known as Willi Becher pub glasses.\u00a0 They angle outwards until about 2\/3 the way up, employ a striking green-and-gold color scheme and are free with the purchase of a taster set last we checked.\u00a0 The result: plenty of room for a frothy white head on your Claritas K\u00f6lsch.<\/p>\n There\u2019s so much room in the glass, in fact, that a one-half liter (0,5L) line has them seeking certification with the Honest Pint Project<\/a>.\u00a0 Bred out of contempt for falsely advertised \u201cpints,\u201d this project wants the customer to be sure they are getting the sixteen ounces they\u2019ve paid for.\u00a0 Typical shaker glasses only contain about fourteen ounces of beer with a proper head.\u00a0 There are only two other establishments in San Diego that are officially certified. One of them is also the only other licensed nano brewery: Automatic Brewing Co<\/a>. at Blind Lady Ale House<\/a>.\u00a0 Let\u2019s hope the nano-trend goes macro.<\/p>\n Hess is built for customer satisfaction.\u00a0 If you have a group of five or more, tasting room schedule be damned \u2013 they will open their tasting room, again, just for you (but don\u2019t go banging on the door, call 619.887.6453 to make an appointment).\u00a0 Inside, Michael Skubic, the tasting room manager, sales representative and social media whiz can show you their hip iPad cash register.\u00a0 You\u2019ll see other pieces of artwork as well, including two black walnut beams suspended from the ceiling that, if anything, can be used to spark small chat with fellow patrons.\u00a0 Just above the tap handles, an eleven-foot leather pistol holster by local artist Matt Mahoney looms.\u00a0 And yes, the barrel extends the entire length.\u00a0 Responding to a curious customer, Skubic aptly commented, \u201cEvery good bar has a gun behind it.\u201d\u00a0 The bigger the gun, the better the bar? Looks like it.<\/p>\n<\/a>