The latest addition to the coastal brew pub scene is Hess Brewery, which recently expanded to Ocean Beach from its North Park headquarters.
Sitting in the pub’s new tasting room at 4893 Voltaire St., staffers Eric Magruder and Drew Lopez talked about Hess’ brand and offerings.
“All the beers on tap here come out of the brewery in North Park,” said Lopez.
“It’s a good local area, a really good community,” said Magruder, discussing why OB was chosen for their tasting room site. “It’s pretty central. We like being close to OB Noodle House and Hungry Lu’s (deli).”
Lopez noted the company’s founder/owner, Mike Hess, recently moved with his family to OB.
Asked about competition from other area pubs, Magruder replied, “We don’t like to use the ‘C’ word. The beer community thinks of itself as one big family.”
Concerning whether San Diego has become the microbrew capital of the country, Lopez said, “We’re approaching it,” while adding, “There’s plenty of room for growth.”
Noting the tasting room is not a restaurant, Lopez pointed out that “We don’t have a kitchen.” He added that Hess has a cooperative agreement in place with Surfrider Pizza nearby.
“You can order pizza from the bartenders here, who will call in an order for you, and (Surfrider) will bring your pizza here to you,” Lopez said. “It’s a nice option and helps us support local business.”
Lopez said Hess is both dog- and family-friendly. “We’re here to be a part of the community,” said Lopez. “We want to be an asset.”
Hess is open weekdays from noon to 10 a.m. and till midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Hess’s retail space was previously a dog wash. The tasting room is in its soft opening phase, with remodeling changes to come, said Magruder.
“We’re going to take out these windows here (pointing to a wall of them) and replace them with roll-up doors,” he said, adding, “We also have some artwork coming, as well as outdoor banners.”
Lopez said the new roll-up doors will open up the establishment allowing a freer and easier two-way flow of people and music into and out of Hess.
“People passing by will be able to catch some of that sound,” said Lopez.
“The open doors will make us an interactive part of the community,” agreed Magruder.
The OB Hess tasting room has at least 15 different custom brews on tap.
“One of the brews we get most recognized for is our Grazias Cream Ale,” said Magruder, adding, “It’s a really nice, light beer. What’s special about it is the malt that goes into it gives it a nice carmely color and the light body that makes it nice, powerful and drinkable. It’s a clean ale.”
Magruder noted there are two major types of brews, ales and lagers, which now have lots of hybrids being created with combinations of each type.
Lopez pointed out that Hess also offers gluten-free and gluten-reduced beer varieties.
“It’s below the level that celiac folks have to worry about,” noted Magruder.
Both Hess employees believe there’s nowhere for the local craft beer industry to go right now other than up.
“Demand has definitely grown over the past decade or so,” said Lopez. “Everyone right now is looking for that next beer.”
And Hess is hoping people are going to find that next big drinkable brew there.
“We like to think we’ve got what will work for everybody,” said Lopez, adding, “We have a very nice array of different styles on board – something for everyone.”
For more information, call (619) 795-1095 or visit mikehessbrewing.com/brewery/hoursdirections/.