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Taster flight of Eppig and Mason Ale Work beers. Photo by Jeff Spanier
Taster flight of Eppig and Mason Ale Work beers. Photo by Jeff Spanier
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Keystone Way: A toast at craft beer’s North County crossroads

On a quest for unique beer experiences? North County San Diego will not disappoint. For a one-stop thrill, head over to Keystone Way, situated on the borders of Vista, Carlsbad, and San Marcos.

Weir Beer: The New Kid on Keystone Way

Weir Beer, the newest addition to Keystone Way’s triad of breweries, recently opened its doors. Hayden and Kyndall Weir are bringing their long-time dream to life, taking over the Helia Brewing venue and shaping it into the space they’ve envisioned for years.

Hayden, a well-known figure in North County’s brewing scene, has worked as head brewer at Dos Desperados and previously at neighboring Dogleg Brewing.

I visited a few days before the official grand opening (set for November 1) to check out the changes and catch up with the Weirs. Kyndall was behind the bar, greeting guests while adding finishing touches to the decor. Hayden took a break to chat.

ILB: Hayden, the doors are open, and Weir Beer is here. Congratulations!

Weir: Yes, I am not allowed to leave now. This has been a dream of mine since I was 21. It’s not shocking to me that it happened, but it was fast. We are tired, but we are having so much fun!

ILB: You and Kyndall are putting your own stamp on this venue.

Doobie, Weir Beer's brew dog. Photo by Jeff Spanier
Doobie, Weir Beer’s brew dog. Photo by Jeff Spanier
Brand new Weir Beer tap handles. Photo by Jeff Spanier
Brand new Weir Beer tap handles. Photo by Jeff Spanier

Weir: The bones of Helia are still here. This was one of our first date spots. We’ve changed everything that wasn’t bolted down and are creating a ‘Summer in the 90s’ theme with bright, fun, beachy vibes.

ILB: You’ve done plenty of remodeling, but you’ve had time to brew, too. What am I drinking?

Weir: Coming from Dos Desperados, I didn’t want to just make the same things. I want similar beers, but to change it up a little bit, too. This is ‘Bring Out the Dancing Lagers,’ a premium Helles-style lager with Mosaic hops. I wanted a hint of that fruity Mosaic character without too much bitterness. I’m pleased with how it turned out.

ILB: And you have a lager with a twist, which I really like.

Weir: That’s our Jalapeno Lager, ‘Double Dog Dare Ya.’ Spicy but still light and refreshing.

ILB: What’s on the horizon for Weir Beer?

Weir: We’ve got live music, comedy shows, food trucks, and a big Y2K New Year’s Eve Party in the works.

Eppig Brewing Reopens with Mason Ale Works, Second Chance

Right around the corner, Eppig Brewing has reopened its tasting room with a twist, adding handles from Mason Ale Works and Second Chance Brewing. Britten Valdivieso, Eppig’s director of hospitality, and Grant Tondro, “Head Mason,” shared what’s new and what good things have stayed the same.

Tondro: You can expect all the best parts that make this location special. It’s a fantastic environment for drinking great beer. It’s the same great beer that Eppig put themselves on the map with eight years ago.

ILB: What’s new?

Tondro: In this strategic partnership between Mason, Eppig, Second Chance and a few other brands all looking to survive, we’ve been able to add more great beers and some ciders to the tap list.

(L to R) Jeff Spanier, Britten Valdivieso, Grant Tondro, Jeff Riccitelli and Tom McMahon at Eppig. Photo by Jeff Spanier
(L to R) Jeff Spanier, Britten Valdivieso, Grant Tondro, Jeff Riccitelli and Tom McMahon at Eppig. Photo by Jeff Spanier
Grant Tondro, Head Mason, having some fun at the Eppig Brewing taproom. Photo by Jeff Spanier
Grant Tondro, Head Mason, having some fun at the Eppig Brewing taproom. Photo by Jeff Spanier

But having great beer is a given. We wanted to give people a more compelling reason to come visit, so we’ve added an arcade and more analog games like foosball and shuffleboard. There are also a lot more TVs. And we still have the patios with fire pits and lots of seating.

Valdivieso: It’s definitely the same and different. Everything Eppig has always believed in is still here. That’s our team and the vibes we bring. We wanted to add a reason to come in and have a beer in-house versus just picking it up to take home. It’s going to be exciting to come in.

ILB: And it seems right that Eppig and Mason Ale Works brewed a collaboration beer for the return.

Tondro: Yes, it’s hazy, which is not a style Eppig is known for, but it is one Mason does. We had to decide how to bridge this divide for both audiences. How to create the Venn Diagram beer? This is Talons of Fury Hazy IPA. We used three different types of Citra hops with a 100% pilsner malt. A nice pillowy mouthfeel, and it’s drinking really nice. Hop notes, juicy without being overly sweet.

ILB: If this beer is a sign of what comes out of this collaboration, we are in for good things!

Dogleg Brewing: A Malt Lover’s Haven

A few feet away, I visited the third of the three Keystone Breweries: Dogleg Brewing Company. Dogleg is one of the few places to find a Scotch ale. Origins is a malty and slightly “roasty” ale with toffee and caramel notes. It finishes smooth, and at 5.8% alcohol by volume, it was a great finish to my stroll down Keystone Way.

Jeff Spanier is the co-host of “I Like Beer the Podcast.” You can listen to interviews with Weir Beer, Eppig Brewing, and Mason Ale Works on your favorite podcast platform. Follow Jeff’s adventures on Instagram @ilikebeerthepodcast.

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