The Coronado Brewing Company has a reputation for fine food and family atmosphere, as does their sister restaurant, Tent City. Behind the scenes, however, the 14-year-old company has been steadily gaining a reputation across the country for their unique microbrews.
The company, founded and operated by Coronado brothers Ron and Rick Chapman, now distributes its Coronado microbrews throughout 10 different states.
“We brewed 3,000 barrels last year,” said CBC master brewer Sean Farrell. “This year we will do at least 4,500 barrels.”
The demand for CBC product has been so great the Chapmans expanded their brewing process to San Diego’s Mission Brewery. “We anticipate 50% of our keg beer will be brewed at Mission Brewery this year,” he said.
Currently all bottling and labeling take place on a daily basis at the Coronado Brewing Company site at 170 Orange Avenue. “We’re looking at streamlining the process, to make it less labor intensive,” said Farrell. “One possibility is to go to pre-labeled bottles. That alone would cut 20 hours a week off the bottling process.”
Farrell said business has been so brisk that he is continually playing catch up. “We’ve had such a dramatic level of growth that I’ve had to put on hold numerous other brew projects I’d like to explore,” he said. Farrell is now working on a 14th anniversary brew that will be available in September.
In addition to the state of California, the CBC product is now being shipped to Arizona, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Washington DC, North Carolina and South Carolina.
“Locally we have our product available throughout Coronado in markets, restaurants and liquor stores,” said Farrell. Out of state the Idiot IPA is our biggest seller. It’s an all-natural India pale ale brewed with more than three pounds of hops per barrel.
“In Coronado the Orange Avenue WIT and Islander IPA are our big sellers,” said Farrell, who added that CBC has provided a variety of ways to taste their microbrews.
“Guests may visit CBC and order a selection of draft beers on tap, or a taster-set of five beers in five-ounce glasses. Serious beer connoisseurs purchase a CBC refillable Growler'(a 64-oz jug) and take it home with them,” said Farrell. The Growler sells for $14.95 with $8.95 refills.
The Coronado Brewing Company is located at 170 Orange Avenue. They are open for dinner seven days a week and children eat free on Tuesday nights. For more information visit www.coronadobrewingcompany.com.
Brewer Shawn DeWitt is seen here bottling and labeling a fresh batch of Orange Avenue WIT. Currently all bottling and labeling takes place at the Coronado location.
Ron Chapman, founder and CEO of the Coronado Brewing Company, poses in front of Mission Brewery, where CBC is currently brewing their keg beer for distribution throughout the country.
The popular Orange Avenue WITT has taken the legend of Coronado’s
Orange Avenue into ten states across the country. It is currently the
most popular brew available through CBC.
Brothers and Coronado Brewing Company founders Rick (left)
and Ron Chapman at the recent 14th anniversary party for the Coronado
Brewing Company. All photos by Joe Ditler.
