Fun Times at Beach City Brewery's 1-Year Anniversary Celebration @BeachCityBrew

Celebrating Beach City Brewery’s 1-Year Anniversary was my favorite brewing-related delight of this past weekend. The celebration began on Friday, May 8th, and lasted through Sunday. Beach City Brewery is Huntington Beach’s first craft brewery. I joined in the celebration and festivities on Friday.

The beer is ready for Beach City Brewery's 1-Year Anniversary Celebration. — The beer is ready for Beach City Brewery’s 1-Year Anniversary Celebration.

Beach City Brewery’s 1-Year Anniversary Celebration featured several of their signature, seasonal and barrel-aged brews. In addition, the event featured a 1-Year Anniversary Ale.

Friday's beer board at Beach City Brewery included not only their standard line-up but also seasonal and barrel-aged drinking treats and Anniversary-specific releases. — Friday’s beer board at Beach City Brewery included not only their standard line-up but also barrel-aged drinking treats and Anniversary-specific releases.

My favorite beer of the evening was Trequilo - a Tequila Barrel Aged version of Gnarly Monk Tripel. — My favorite beer of the evening was Trequilo – a Tequila Barrel Aged version of Gnarly Monk Tripel.

A large crowd attended on Friday to celebrate.

The joy of beer! — The joy of excellent beer from Beach City Brewery!

No need to look any further, Firkin Ron is here and taking your photo big fella! — No need to look any further big fella, Firkin Ron is here and taking your photo!

Friday was also the birthday of Head Brewer Derek Testerman.

Derek tries out his new lab equipment for his birthday. Happy Birthday Derek!

Glenn Closson is the Founder/Co-Owner/Manager. Glenn is a former Financial Manager. His love of home brewing and all-things-beer propelled him into starting Beach City Brewery last year with the help of Head Brewer Derek Testerman.

A toast to Glenn (center) and Derek (right) on the success of Beach City Brewery.

I arrived early for Beach City Brewery’s 1-Year Anniversary Celebration to spend some time talking with Glenn Closson.

Congratulations on Beach City Brewery’s 1-Year Anniversary! Are you having fun?

I’m having tons of fun! Every moment I spend here is a great time.

What type of growth have you experienced in your 1st year of operation?

We did 810 barrels of beer from May to December of 2014.

We now have a contract to produce a private label beer and that business is growing.

We anticipate selling 2200 barrels of beer in calendar year 2015 and are already well on our way to that goal.

When you look at the Brewers Association statistical data on small breweries, it’s been a pretty good growth.

What is your top-selling beer?

Pierside Pilsner

What major changes have you made since opening?

The most important changes have focused on upgrading the tasting room to create a more enjoyable social and drinking environment for our customers. These changes include new tables and improved seating, repainted walls, added art, an upgraded bar, and added tap handles to serve a broader range of our beers.

A priority for Beach City Brewery is creating a comfortable environment for its customers.

Is the brewery running at full capacity?

We are running at full capacity and more. We plan to get a new tank soon.

Do you have plans for expansion?

In addition to adding a new tank, we are also evaluating further expansion based on some ongoing business opportunity discussions. Nothing definitive exists yet.

What’s the best part of owning a brewery?

[Humorously] No bar tab and free entry into beer events.

Has the Huntington Beach community been supportive?

Yes, very supportive! We are part of the Chamber of Commerce and Visit HB. The Mayor was at our opening. We have lots of locals that visit regularly.

A BIG thank you to Glenn for spending some time with me on Friday as part of Beach City Brewery’s 1-Year Anniversary Celebration.

I’m thrilled about the success of Beach City Brewery. They make excellent beer. The people who work at Beach City and the patrons are friendly, easy-going, and engaging. Overall, the brewery and tasting room are flat-out fun to visit.

Here’s to next year’s anniversary celebration! Cheers!

[Author’s Note: All photo credits go to my wonderful wife Patricia.]