Big doin’s for Belching Beaver

The history of Belching Beaver Brewery (980 Park Center Drive, Vista) is short, but with a number of projects near completion, its future’s looking bright. A recent conversation with owner Tom Vogel turned up plans to convert the company’s North Park non-brewery tasting room into a full-on pub. A kitchen and concise food menu will be added, but the focus will still be on the beer. Vogel and company plan on expanding offerings to include brews from their Vista contemporaries as well as other underrepresented boutique breweries throughout California that don’t get their product distributed to San Diego.

Back at its Vista brewery, a beer garden is being constructed. Vogel describes the feel as park-like, says the outdoor addition will include fire pits, and expects it to open by month’s end. Belching Beaver is also searching for a third location to accommodate a 30-barrel brewing system and tanks larger than their current fermentation vessels, which include three more 30-barrel tanks with a fourth on the way. The company will keep its current brewing facility, but is en route to eclipsing its production capacity thanks to new distribution to Los Angeles and Orange County, with an international avenue opening in a few months.

But when asked about the most important of Belching Beaver’s developments, Vogel cites the upcoming DAM Cancer Fundraising Benefit it will host in Vista on February 23. A collaboration with Smokin Beaver Brew Shop (146 North Kalmia Street, Escondido), it will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. and feature a special dual Beaver collaborative double IPA as well as an auction for items contributed by all of Vista’s breweries. The reason for this coming together and assigned significance is the fact it will help to pay hospital bills for the wife of one of Smokin Beaver’s owners. Tickets are available at Belching Beaver's tasting room or at the door at the event.