SAN DIEGO — Looking for something fun to do before Padres games at Petco Park?
Just a block away you can find a pretty new brewery that’s already gaining national recognition. The owners of East Village Brewing have combined their knowledge in science and love for the outdoors to create an urban oasis.
CBS 8’s Neda Iranpour takes us inside and shows us how they have a lot in common.
Neda and one of the owners are both meteorologists. While they geek out over weather systems and look for ways to protect the planet, they can also appreciate the science of great craft beer.
“You can use math you can use science to be a better brewer,” says Aaron Justus. Aaron is the brewer, owner, and co-founder of East Village Brewing alongside fellow owner and co-founder Brandon Green.
Their story starts many years ago at Ballast Point where they met on the packaging line, working their way through the ranks, from keg washing and bottling to brew master and head brewer.
For years, they asked themselves if they were able to open up their own brewery.
It would be a sustainability-first operation with carefully crafted wholesome ingredients.
Green says it didn’t come easy.
They had to transport four tanks down from Carlsbad to brew the beer in.
They also constructed some outdoor furniture themselves, Justus says.
"All the wood elements are from recycled wood," Justus says. "In fact, this bar top is a Torrey Pine (tree) that fell in Chula Vista, it fell in someone’s backyard, and it got repurposed."
Sustainability is clearly a big part of their operation. All of their 6-pack tops are made of all recycled material and their labels are not shrink wrapped. In fact, they count on a printing company that uses all solar power to minimize the amount of waste.
And what he puts inside these cans gets Justus excited.
Brewing where people can drink their beers, Aaron will proudly tell anyone who asks about their operation,
“We only source from farmers that we know have sustainable practices, Justus says. "We keep it to the core ingredients: barley, hops, yeast, water and just try to keep it as simple as possible.”
They’ve even collaborated with San Diego International Airport using water from their air conditioning system to brew a beer called “Pre-Czech”, a Czech-style pilsner. Next up, a “Hoppy Travels” IPA.
“The water they collect from A/C condensation is as pure as rainwater so you get rid of the organics to make it brewable,” says Justus.
He is brewing with all his scientific knowledge and people are noticing. They won gold at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival for a Ukrainian style kvass.
But before a game at Petco Park, Justus and Green said their Ballpark Special is a must-try.
And for fellow lovers of hops, it’s all about The Summit, “Brandon and I love IPA’s so I hope it shows.”
They encourage you to come to try it all for yourself.
WATCH RELATED: This San Diego County beer bar was named best in the United States