Helm’s Brewing Co. in Ocean Beach is more than a microbrewery satellite tasting room – it’s a community hub.
So say spokespersons for the new facility, which held a soft opening May 19 at its new facility at 4896 Newport Ave. Helms is in the space previously inhabited by Humble Hippie on the corner of Cable Street.
“Helm’s engineers great-quality beer, family and community,” said Joseph Lapin, creative director for Circa Interactive, which handles the microbrewery’s marketing. “They engineer every place they work: literally build it.”
Based in Kearny Mesa, Helm’s is branching out. The microbrewery prides itself on its hand-made, award-winning beers.
“They (owners) love their beer and their community: That’s why we’re all excited about coming to OB and joining the huge push for culture, food and beer there,” said Lapin. “Helm’s wants to be part of the growth of Ocean Beach. They want to really focus on building community, family, neighborhood.”
Helm’s sees itself as “part of the big wave and the growth of microbrews and craft beer,” said Lapin, adding, the company came to OB “not to change things, but to come here and be a part of it – do it right.”
Three of Helm’s original owners – Tim Johnson, Bryan Ruiz and Jason Mitchell – hail from maritime backgrounds: Johnson from the Navy, and Ruiz and Mitchell from the merchant marine. They also have ties to the local shipbuilding industry.
Even head brewer Daniel Lawrence, from Baltimore, has salt in his veins, having previously spent plenty of time crabbing on Chesapeake Bay.
It therefore isn’t surprising Helm’s wound up in Ocean Beach. Lapin said the styles of the microbrewery – and the community – suit one another.
Helm’s is associated with maritime lifestyle,” said Lapin, noting OB is a “gritty, tight community,” which is why the microbrewery “fits in naturally.”
Ocean Beach is quickly becoming a destination for beer and food enthusiasts, said Lapin pointing out that blends perfectly with Helm’s, whose owners started out “sharing beers, talking and being together.”
Noting Helm’s in OB is a “tasting room not a bar with loud music,” Lapin said Helm’s wants to develop a relationship with its customers.
“They want to get to know you, tell you about the beer and share stories,” he said, adding Helm’s is both animal and family friendly.
Helm’s beer “fleet” currently includes: Beeruccino, a porter; Batten Down Brown, a rich, bready, toffee-like malt; Captains Pale Ale, a classic American brew; Goosefoot Ginger, a Belgian strong amber ale; Hop The RIPA, a Red India pale ale; and Wicked As Sin, a fresh and spicy brew with resinous hops and little malt presence.
Helm’s Brewing was created by four shipbuilders who, utilizing their kinship and industrial expertise to hand-build their own brewery the same way they constructed their ships, since 2012 has engineered award winning beers deserving of people who navigate daily life through creativity and hard work.  
For more information, visit helmsbrewingco.com.