By TR Robertson
A one-stop shop for wine lovers, craft beer lovers and burger lovers is set to open this Friday in Vista. CoLab Public House will be the first-of-its-kind craft-beverage collective for San Diego County. CoLab is visible from Highway 78, located in a business park area between Sycamore and Mar Vista. There will be 4,500 square feet of tasting and eating room space and 800 square feet of outdoor patio space. CoLab will offer room for 250 inside, 100 on the patio and there will be an upstairs area in the two story building that can also host parties, birthdays, anniversaries and other events. Video games, pinball machines and numerous televisions will be in the collective.
The new concept collective will be the home of Barrel & Stave Brewing, Breakwater Brewing Company, Laguna Beach Beer Company, Propaganda Wine Company and Baby’s Badass Burgers. Project Developer, Joe Deutsch said, “There are many reasons we chose Vista, one of which is that it’s home to more breweries per capita than nearly any other city in the country. Beer is a source of civic pride here, inspiring locals and attracting out-of-towners. We want to add to this already dynamic area while presenting something entirely unique.” There will be a 100-foot continuous bar divided into four sections for the breweries and winery.
In a recent interview with the various owners of each of the participants in CoLab, there is a feeling of exciting anticipation for the Grand Opening of this new concept for craft beer and wine lovers as well as a very popular eatery. Joey Deutsch, son of developer Joe Deutsch, and chief alchemist winemaker Steve Michaliszyn are set to open Propaganda Wine Company.
Joey Deutsch said, “Propaganda Wine Company is a new Winery and as such the ABC Licensing for California says you can get a new license as a winery for production, but you cannot have a tasting room license at the same exact time, as they expect you to take some time to make the wine and actually have product to be able to sell. There is a requirement that you have to make 50% of what you sell to your tasting room on-site. There is just a lag in opening time of a tasting room and from when the production starts. Production is coming soon and fermenting away.”
Steve said their philosophy is to “bring excellent grapes from wonderful AVA’s throughout California’s many growing regions, down to local urban community and produce exceptionally high quality wines. We strive to be traditional in nature using minimal intervention to help express the land and region of where the grapes are from.” At the present time they will be offering nine wines and adding more as they go along. Selection includes Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons, Petite Sirah’s, Grenache, Sparkling Rose’s, and they are working on a Chardonnay from Sonoma, and a Grenache Blanc and a White Sangria. Joe said they purchase the grapes from a variety of locations around the state to produce their unique assortment of wines and will be providing an alternative for people visiting CoLab who do not want to try craft beer. Wines will be available as tasters, purchased in bottles, cases, and there will be a wine club available. Go to www.propagandawines.com.
Barrel & Stave Brewing will be opening the company’s first craft beer brewery. The company presently has a Public House in Downtown Historic Vista on Main Street where over 100 beers are offered both on tap and in coolers. The CoLab brewery will be the first assortment of craft beers made by Barrel & Stave. Chris White and Brewer Chris Banker will be running Barrel & Stave along with Director of Operations Todd Johnson. Barrel & Stave will be offering tasters, pints, 32 oz. crowlers and coolers holding beers to go. Go to www.barrelandstave.com.
Also set to open in CoLab is Breakwater Brewing Company. Breakwater currently has a brewery at 101 N. Coast Highway in Oceanside, open for over 15 years. This will be their second location for the award-winning brewery. Breakwater has an amazing selection of 16 beers on tap they rotate during the year. The beers range from the Beach Honey Blonde to the Todos Santos 2x IPA, to the Railslide Rail to the Walkabout Stout and many, many more. General manager Sean Napoli, from the Oceanside brewery, was on hand and said they are excited about the opportunity to be a part of CoLab. Go to www.breakwaterbrewing.com.
The final brewery in CoLab is Laguna Beach Beer Company. Brent Reynolds was hard at work in the brewery. Laguna Beach Beer Company also has locations in Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita and soon in Vista. Beers like 2nd Reef Blonde Blonde Ale, Greeters Ale Pale Ale and Tuava Guava Hefeweizen are some of the beers that might be offered. Go to www.lagunabeer.com.
Highlighting this new collective for craft beer and winery combination is the introduction of the first brick and mortar location for a popular gourmet mobile burger concept, Baby’s Badass Burgers. This is the first in-house restaurant for founders Erica Cohen and Lori Barbara. Their popular food trucks began in Los Angeles and now they franchise Baby’s Badass Burger trucks throughout Southern California. When asked why they moved to the Vista location for Baby’s, Erica said, “We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join in what we think will be a successful concept.” Baby’s Badass Burger menu is extensive including their Original Beauty with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms and Baby’s special sauce to The Bombshell with a ½ lb. Maneater sandwiched between 2 bacon grilled cheese melts, topped with grilled onions and special sauce. Other choices on the extensive menu include The All-American Girl, the Cougar, the Cali Girl (a Vegan burger), the Other Woman, the Cover Girl (a turkey burger), several chicken burgers, salads, a children’s menu, and sides like the Pig Tails curly fries, sweep potato fries, chili cheese fries, a Frita Pie (cheese, sour cream and jalapenos in a fresh bag of Fritos. They also offer Old School Sliders, sodas and numerous sauces. Go to www.babysbadassburgers.com.
Now what could be better than a beer or a glass of wine or a soda and a burger all found in the same location in the same building. Joe Deutsch said CoLab will also be offering a variety of activities like trivia night and other events. Joey Deutsch said they are working on the idea of having drink tickets that could be purchased allowing you to buy items at each of the breweries, winery and eatery. He said this is still in the “working it out” stage.
CoLab hours of operation are still being decided as well. They will be open 4 pm until 10 pm Monday thru Thursday, 11 am to 10 pm Friday and Saturday and 11 am to 8 pm Sunday. Get ready Vista for the newest idea in brewery’s, wineries and eateries. It should be a great place for all to enjoy, making another reason Vista is the home of amazing experiences.
