St. Archer Brewing Company Targets New Beer Audience

Grid View

Saint Archer Brewing Company's roster of investors and ambassadors is a who's who of the pro-surf, skate and snowboarding world, some locally-based in San Diego or SoCal, so it's no wonder that they're aiming to tap into the active lifestyle market of fellow atheletes and fans and followers of the action sports scene.

Their goal is to make quality beer that is sessionable, averaging at 5.5 to 6% ABV, that might serve as an accessible gateway into the craft beer world. That task is under the purview of of brewmaster Ray Astamendi (Mission Brewery, Left Coast Brewing Co.) and lead brewer Kim Lutz, who met when they both brewed at Maui Brewing Co. The company's 17,000-square-foot Miramar warehouse currently holds a 30 barrel brewhouse and has an initial cellar capacity of 5,000 BBL; the space will allow the brewery to eventually expand production to over 50,000 barrels annually.

Though the tasting room won't be completed until May, St. Archer's beer is already on the street; the brewery has partnered with Stone Brewing Co. for distribution and there's a preview tasting Tuesday, April 16 at Local Habit in Hillcrest. You'll be able to taste two of their flagship brews, a Kolsch-style Blonde Ale and a pale ale; the third, an IPA, has not yet been released.

Astamendi and Lutz are also working on a bunch of specialty brews, including a scotch ale, a rye IPA and a Baltic porter. For now, the beers will be released in 12 and 22 oz. bottles, but canning is a distinct possibility, given the sports-enthusiast community they're targeting.
· St. Archer Brewing Co. [Official Site]
· All Beer Coverage on Eater [~ESD~]