Assemblymember Brian Maienschein recently recognized Second Chance Beer Company as the 2019 Small Business of the Year for the 77th Assembly District. He recognized the local brewery’s founders Marty Mendiola, Curtis Hawes, and Virginia Morrison on Wednesday, June 19.
“Second Chance Beer Company has served as a worthy example for many businesses to follow,” said Maienschein. “Despite being a relatively new brewery, the company has contributed tremendously to both the economic strength and environmental sustainability of our community.”
Second Chance established a charity program named “Giving Second Chances,” where it donates 1 percent of all annual sales to organizations that provide a second opportunity for people, animals, and the planet. In a bid to promote its green stewardship, the brewery also uses upcycled, recycled, and repurposed décor for more than 70% of its furnishings.
“There are so many small businesses doing big work in our community, for Second Chance Beer Company to be singled-out truly is an honor,” said CEO and co-founder Morrison. “Three other breweries also were selected this year, which really underscores the economic impact and value craft beer Tasting Rooms provide to the areas we serve.” Those three additional breweries included Eagle Rock (Sen. Durazo, #24), Buffalo Bill’s Brewery (Asm. Quirk, #20), and Blaker Brewing (Asm. Gray, #21).
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is replacing their Ballast Point-brewed “Beacon #9” Helles lager with a new beer by North Park operation Fall Brewing. Fall’s “Tom Ham’s Pilsner” debuts at the Harbor Island mainstay on Monday, June 24 with a keep-the-pint and extended happy hour event from 5 - 7 p.m. The beer goes for $5 per pour all week to celebrate the collaboration.
Once a year since 2013, hop growers Loftus Ranches and YCH Hops craft a unique blend of hops to support ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) research. Brewers who contact the Ales for ALS team receive the hop blend, free of charge, in exchange for donating $1 of each pint sold to the ALS Therapy Development Institute. Breweries have raised $1.75M since the program’s inception. At time of press, six local breweries had signed on to brew and tap Ales for ALS beers this year: Burgeon, Mission, Pizza Port Carlsbad, Societe, South Park, and Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station. Stay tuned to their social media pages for more information regarding release dates.