Pacific Brewing Company set to open

I’ve made it a focus to meet brewing entrepreneurs in the earlier stages of their brewery start-ups. Such was the case with Andrew Heino and Chris Chalmers, former Stone Brewing Co. brewers staking out together to bring their Pacific Brewing Company (8680 Miralani Drive, Miramar) to life. The duo has been quieter than most aspiring brewery owners, but it turns out they’ve been doing quite a bit under the radar and have made enough progress that, Saturday, March 29, they will officially open the doors of their tasting room and let the public in on their first drafts.

When I originally interviewed Heino and Chalmers, they expressed an interest in making more than just ubiquitous West Coast-style India pale ales, and keeping the majority of their beers in the four-to-seven percent alcohol-by-volume range. Their initial quintet of core beers has but one traditional IPA, so they made good on the variety goal, but three of the brews are over 7% ABV I’m not complaining. There’s nothing wrong with that grand opening being a little merrier than a session-suds-only soirée.

The opening day beer board will include a light-bodied golden ale, a pale ale with fruit-and-biscuit character, the nearly mandatory IPA, a rye imperial IPA, and a strong ale said to deliver flavors of toffee, chocolate, roast, and spices. As implied by the company’s name, it’s a very Pacific Ocean-adjacent line-up that pairs well with San Diego sunshine. All are products of their three-barrel system.

The grand opening will take place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. A pair of food trucks will alternate the early and late shifts. Other than that, it’s all about the beer (which will be available in taster glasses, pints, and growlers). And, again, I’m not complaining. This is just as it should be.