Cutwater Spirits opens 50,000 square-foot space in Miramar

The newest watering hole in town officially opened its doors Wednesday - and this time, it’s not another brewery. Although Cutwater Spirits’ roots are well connected to the beer community of San Diego, the focus here is on craft cocktails and spirits.

The team behind Cutwater Spirits, who began their distilling journey under the Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits umbrella in 2008, have fully re-branded and are welcoming craft cocktail lovers to step into their 50,000 square foot distillery in Miramar.

Thanks to the Craft Distillers Act of 2015 (AB1295), distilleries in California are legally able to be combined with restaurants and bars, but thus far, nothing quite like Cutwater has approached the shores of San Diego.

Having been established for nine years, the company has a variety of well-known products available on store shelves, including their mixers and canned cocktails. Cutwater’s history as a part of Ballast Point brew pubs around the county and a deep sea of knowledge and know-how may help give them a leg up on the local market.

Cutwater’s new space has an extensive menu of cocktails that feature each of the company’s liquors distilled on site: vodka, gin, whiskey and rum. Patrons can sip spirits of their choice served in spirit flights or mixed up in one of the many craft cocktail offerings.

According to the Cutwater team, the concept behind Cutwater Spirits is to hone in on creativity and innovation in spirits, so the public can expect to see more unique releases and products in the near future.

The space will have four open fermentation American oak foeders that people visiting the distillery can learn more about while also being able to dip their fingers in to taste the product throughout the distilling process. Daily tours open to the public will be offered for guests to truly experience and understand what goes into distilling and Cutwater products, specifically.

Earl Kight III, the Chief Revenue Officer at Cutwater Spirits, said that they are eager to get people inside the new facility.

“It’s been nine years since we started producing spirits, and we’re excited to have folks come by and try our cocktails, food and check out the Cutwater distillery first hand to learn more about the distilling process,” Kight said.

Don’t worry about going hungry while visiting - lunch and dinner will be served daily. The lunch menu offers salads, sandwiches and shareable plates, such as crispy potato bread, baked goat cheese and chicken legs. Dinner entrees include duck confit, New York steak and the Cutwater burger made with caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese and frisee, topped with a fried egg. Beyond spirits, wine and local beer will also be available to drink at Cutwater.

Several variations of the Cutwater liquors, including canned cocktails and mixers, are available at liquor and grocery stores across the county and will also be available for takeaway purchase at the new location’s retail shop.

Cutwater Spirits is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

9750 Distribution Ave., Miramar, cutwaterspirits.com