PB AleHouse Reopens After Fire & Westfield UTC Expands

PACIFIC BEACH— Pacific Beach AleHouse has reopened, five months after a fire shuttered the brewpub, with a top-to-bottom remodel that includes a new interior and a refresh of the indoor and outdoor bars. There's also a new lead brewer, Oceanside-native Jonathan Riley, who won a gold at the San Diego International Beer Festival for his Irish Red Ale and brewed at Vista's Prohibition Brewing Company. [EaterWire]

UNIVERSITY CITY— Westfield UTC is getting a food infusion. According to the U-T, the shopping center will undergo a $500M expansion that includes a new outdoor dining space and "celebrity chef-driven outlets", plus a larger Nordstrom's and more than 200,000-square-feet of additional retail space. Though the new eateries have not yet been announced, Westfield's senior vice president of development, Jerry Engen, hinted that they might reflect the current farm-to-table and craft beer trends. [U-T]

DOWNTOWN— The Grant Grill Bar and Lounge is adding a 'chef de bar' to its beverage team. Joining Jeff Josenhans is Cory Alberto, who most recently served as Table No. 10's beverage director, helping to launch the East Village restaurant's craft cocktail program. At The Grant Grill, the award-winning bartender to help to oversee bar operations and manage the cocktail, beer and wine program. [EaterWire]