San Diego Beer Week’s Capital of Craft is here!

Beer Name: Capital of Craft IPA
Brewery: San Diego Brewers Guild collaboration with eight breweries
Style: West Coast-style IPA
ABV: 7.3%

In honor of San Diego Beer Week, we take a look at Capital of Craft IPA, a collaboration between eight local breweries: 3 Punk Ales Brewing Co., Amplified Ale Works, Bagby Beer Co., Burgeon Beer Company, Gravity Heights, Nickel Beer Co., North Park Beer Co., and Second Chance Beer Company (which led and hosted the brewing and canning).

This is the San Diego Brewers Guild’s (SDBG) third year of collaboration, and the aptly named Capital of Craft is a tribute to the local craft beer scene. Enjoy a countywide toast at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 to launch the 10-day San Diego Beer Week. Craft beer lovers can toast the 2019 Capital of Craft IPA and share photos on social media using the hashtags #SDBEER and #SDBW.

PACIFIC spoke with Second Chance’s co-founder and CEO Virginia E. Morrison, to find out more about the beer built on teamwork and celebration:

How did this collaboration happen?
VIRGINIA: As is tradition, the prior year’s collaborators nominated this year’s breweries. Karl Strauss asked if we could brew the beer, and we said ‘Yes, and let’s can it too so even more people can get their hands on it!’”

Any standout moment in the collab process?
VIRGINIA: I asked a room full of some of San Diego’s most prominent brewers if we should make the beer clear or hazy. After dead silence, a healthy debate ensued and when we took a vote ... well, you’ll see.

What’s in it?
(From the press release): Capital of Craft IPA is a gluten-reduced beer courtesy of Clarity Ferm enzyme. The hop bill includes Cashmere, Chinook, Nugget, Centennial, Amarillo, and grains are Gambrinus Pilsner, Simpson’s Golden Promise, Rahr 2-row Malt, and Weyermann Acidulated.The beer was fermented using WLP001 California Ale Yeast.

What should someone trying the Capital of Craft IPA for the first time expect?
VIRGINIA: We went all West Coast-style IPA with this brew! The bracing hops dance on the nose with aromas of grapefruit, pine and a spiciness that gets your mouthwatering. And, the taste is equally bold, full of citrus and mild herbal notes, but surprisingly balanced for 72 IBUs.

Perfect pairing?
VIRGINIA: Smoked pork sliders on Hawaiian sweet rolls with mac and cheese.

This beer gal’s take:
If one beer could encapsulate the San Diego craft scene, this might be it. Like the shifting landscape from bright, sunny beaches to the inland forests, Capital of Craft IPA bursts with refreshing notes of citrus and then comforts with notes of earthy, resiny pine. Stock up on this limited offering and drink in the great outdoors with grilled foods, or on its own by the campfire.

Where can I get it and how long?
16 oz 4-packs will be available at Second Chance’s tasting room locations (Carmel Mountain Ranch and North Park) and local bottle shops. It will also be available on draft at select collaborators’ brewpubs and local craft beer bars and restaurants.

Extra juicy tidbit?
VIRGINIA: We are having nine events at our two Second Chance tasting rooms. I’m stoked for our Cuvee’ Classic & Competition happening all day Saturday, November 2, at both locations. Our BeerTenders will treat you to their favorite blends of our draft beers – complete with witty names like Irish Coffee, Mulligan Amber, and Seize the Coffee IPA. Guests can taste all cuvees and vote for their favorite. As one fan recently exclaimed – ‘More blended beers, please!’ We got y’all covered.