Take it from the Tap: A monthly taste of beer from here

March 30, 2018 10:27 AM PT

Say “hello” to a new brew in town.

Know: In mid-April, San Diego’s newest brewery moves into one of the city’s oldest brewing locations. The brick Mission Revival-style building, built for Mission Brewery (1913-1918), was recently occupied by Acoustic Ales (2013-2018).

So?: Latchkey aims to satisfy fans of quality easy-drinkers. “Our beer sweet spot is 4 to 7 percent, in terms of alcohol by volume,” said co-founder Matt West. Expect lagers, a kölsch, pale ales, an IPA and a porter.

Hey, bro: West is partnering with a brother-in-law, Gerald Dollente, a homebrewer and former Ballast Point employee.

Oh, no: While a stately landmark, Latchkey’s new home has old building issues: narrow passages, an awkward loading dock, a two-story layout. “We definitely know what we are getting into it,” West said. “It’s very quirky.”

Latchkey Brewing, 1795 Hancock St., Mission Hills, latchkeybrew.com

Burning Beard Brewing Company in El Cajon.

Thirst quenching

A local beer to spend some time with

Beer: Normcore Pils

From: Burning Beard Brewing Company

Why: On a bright April day, what’s better than a bright pilsner? Normcore may be the region’s best Czech-style pils — clean, light-bodied and refreshing.

Geeking out: 5.5% ABV; 35 international bittering units; German malts; Czech hops.

Burning Beard Brewing Company, 785 Vernon Way, El Cajon
619.456.9185, burningbeardbrewing.com

Craft Beer

Peter Rowe

Peter is a freelance writer who writes about beer in his bimonthly column Brewery Rowe for the San Diego Union-Tribune. He worked as a reporter and columnist for the San Diego Union-Tribune from 1984 to 2020. A native Californian who grew up in Encinitas, Rowe is a graduate of UC Berkeley and Northwestern University. He is past president of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and a former Fulbright scholar. He has won a few journalism awards, but would trade them all for a chance to avenge his 1994 “Jeopardy!” loss. Married to a terrific woman who has saved him from errors in writing and in life, he has three sons.