Bolt Brewery

Bolt preps a new location in Old Town.

Old Town is known for a lot of things: shops and tourist traps, Mexican food of varying quality, mariachi, haunted houses and graveyards…. One thing that has been lacking, however, is the presence of a local brewery. In a town overrun with craft breweries and tasting rooms, the absence in Old Town is conspicuous. Bolt Brewery is about to change that.

Molly Rust, co-founder at CFO at Bolt, says that she and owner-brewer Clint Stromberg “have been looking for a place in Old Town for years. So, when we heard that the former Hungry’s Kitchen and Tap space was becoming available, we jumped at the opportunity. We feel so fortunate to have the chance to operate in Old Town. We love the area and are very excited to be a part of the Old Town community.”

Bolt’s new location is slated to open mid-August amidst the tacos, tequila, and tourists of San Diego’s original seat of government. Plans for a grand opening celebration are still under wraps as Bolt waits for final licensing to come through, but as soon as the OK come through, the tap and kitchen is ready to go. By setting up shop in one of the last remnants of San Diego without a local beer tasting room, Bolt certainly fills a void — and is attempting to do so in with a minimum of culture shock. The menu will feature the same Bavarian pretzels, burgers, sandwiches, and bar food as its Little Italy tasting room, there will also be a little bit of Old Town flair. The full menu hasn’t been announced, but Rust let slip that she is looking forward to the fried avocado tacos. Drink-wise, Bolt’s Old Town will offer the lagers, sours, and assorted IPAs on which it has built its brand.

The brewery just tapped a fresh batch of Red Eye Monkey Ale, which is on tap at its Little Italy and La Mesa locations. Stromberg describes the concoction as “a classic style clear copper-red color ale with a frothy white head, and an aroma that’s a mix of toasted caramel malts with some pine hop notes. It’s a medium-bodied beer with moderate carbonation, giving it a smooth feel with a nice dry finish.” The 5.6% ABV red ale boasts a well balanced and complex finish with the caramel notes Stromberg mentioned, along with hints of rye and plenty of hop bitterness.

Bolt is also working on a new line of seltzers that will perhaps be available in time for the grand opening of the Old Town location. As for that grand opening, Rust advises that the best way to keep up to date on that development is by checking the brewery’s Instagram.