Sunday, January 1, 2017

Culture, Modern Times bringing tasting rooms to downtown

San Diego Reader:
"After an exceedingly long and exhaustive quest for the perfect location, we are absolutely thrilled to announce that we have located a suitably rad spot for a North County tasting room," the post reads. Specifically, the 3000-square-foot site will open on Pacific Coast Highway at the north end of Encinitas (470 S. Highway 101).

According to the announcement, the so-called Far West Lounge will feature 32 taps flowing from a U-shaped bar that will serve up to 150 patrons in a "luxurious mid-century tropical" space featuring booth seating and "a swanky indoor fire-pit." It will sell Modern Times cans, coffee beans, and merchandise, in addition to growler fills, and also serve as an additional pick-up destination for special releases ordered through the company's seasonal online sales. No specific timeline was given for the tasting room's opening, though CEO Jacob McKean expects it to be sometime in 2017.
Solana Beach brewery Culture is closer to opening a less ambitious facility near Biergarden.

56 comments:

  1. Beer tasting rooms- what a misnomer! It is a beer bar that sells expensive beer.

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  2. St Archer is also coming to Leucadia, next to Surfy Surfy.

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  3. Another alchohal serving establishment?

    Come on Encinitas City Council- the downtown seen is already packed with bars. This only make Encinitas that much more like PB and Huntington Beach.

    Remember Council- We the citizens want to prevent that and keep the home town family feel. Approve something good for the community.

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  4. question - Which city gets the sales tax off satellite beer tasting rooms?
    Are the sales and the sales taxes recorded on the main brewery location? Is Encinitas providing the location for beer sales but will not received the sales tax?

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    1. Sales taxes are collected based on the city where the transaction took place. Sales taxes are divided up with some going to Sacremento, and some going to the host city.

      In this case, if the sale takes place in Encinitas, then Encinitas gets the same portion it would from any other kind of sale.

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  5. Boozenitas - the alternate high!

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  6. Mayor Blakespear's promise to preserve paradise in Encinitas - approving beer bars.

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  7. Does Encinitas get any sales tax off the satellite bar/beer tasting rooms?

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    1. Does the sales tax from every Walmart in the US and overseas go to Bentonville, Arkansas?

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    2. Not the same situation. This is alcohol and highly regulated.

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    3. 12:23 is asking you to think.

      Sales taxes go to the city where the sale took place, not to the city where the HQ of the business is located. Think how much sales tax Bentonville, AR would have if it were otherwise.

      ABC Regulation has nothing to do with how sales taxes are collected and distributed.

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    4. Fundamental point:

      The reason the Planning Commission and City Council approve alcohol-selling bars, stores and restaurants is that they generate consistently substantial sales tax revenue.

      With the staff's extraordinarily high salaries, benefits and pensions, and the city's free-spending ways, it needs the revenue to avoid deficits and, worse, bankruptcy.

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    5. property taxes make up 70% of revenue for City and well beyond the measley sale tax revenue. Turning Encinitas into PB North is bad for the property value and City's tax revenue total.

      Staff and City Council are stupid to keep approving the conversion of a high quality of life beach community with high property values and taxes, to a low quality of life beach bar town in hopes of raising a few dollars from alchohol sales. The bottom line is the the negatives of the bars opening outweight the positives for the City.

      If they ignore this point vote them out next election. Lets see how Muir votes. He is up in 2 years.

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    6. 3:13 Your comment makes it sound as if you think 3:02 supports OKing more alcohol-selling places.

      If the motivation isn't increased sales tax revenue, what is it?

      Sales tax revenue at 30 percent (if your figures are right) is not measly. The marginal increase from a non-alc to an alc business is substantial, and when you multiply that by about 85 alc places on the coast alone, it becomes a lot of money.

      Commission and council can increase sales tax revenue quicker than prop tax revenue. The latter depends on new buildings and props being reassessed.

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    7. '16-'17 City Revenue

      60.3% property taxes
      20.3% sales taxes
      10.0% charges for services
      5.7% other taxes
      0.6% use of money
      0.4% licenses & permits

      $39,878,119 property taxes
      $13,411,484 sales taxes (not measly)

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  8. The Culture Brewing Beer Tasting Room item is on the Planning Commission agenda for this Thursday. Here is the agenda item:

    http://encinitas.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=7&event_id=1059&meta_id=68798

    The license extends automatically from Solana Beach to the new Encinitas location. Because this is a "satellite" bar/beer tasting/drinking room that comes under the brewery ABC license in Solana Beach, the Planning Commission may not even allow discussion about the alcohol.

    Spoiler alert - STAFF RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE. Didn't see that one coming, did you?

    It requires a Major Use Permit, which must consider "potential adverse effects on the surrounding area."

    Don't want this going in? Show up on Thursday and tell the Planning Commission why this thing will have adverse effects on the surrounding area.

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    1. The Planning Commission, much like they did for Leucadia Club, has determined that more alcohol at this location is necessary.

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    2. That's ok, there's got to be a breaking point somewhere and you never know....

      Seems to be time to bring back the deemed approved ordinance for consideration and this time enact it.

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    3. At least go on record as opposing. The City loves nothing better than to throw back in residents' faces "no one showed up, no one said anything."

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  9. If you want to see the council jump to action, just try and open a weed store downtown.

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    Replies
    1. They went ape on a head shop a year or two back - forced it out of business. Hypocrites!

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  10. I agree wit 5:05. Let's make sure all of the legal stuff is in place, if possible. Also, an FYI, Muir doesn't drink alcohol so my guess is he will vote NO.

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  11. Bring back the Paraphernalia Palace!

    Add legal weed!

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    Replies
    1. Remember Puff n' Stuff in the Mr. Peabody's complex in the early 90's?

      Good times!

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    2. Willie Woo owned both the Paraphernalia Palace and Puff 'n' Stuff. Former was on 101, east side just south of E, latter was originally where Leucadia Pizza, Coast News, UPS Store, etc. are now, then it moved over by the laundromat behind Wendy's.

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  12. Illegal to sit at Culture Brewery in Solana Beach -
    http://www.10news.com/news/why-its-illegal-to-sit-at-this-bar-090915

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  13. I like these tasting rooms. Everyone predicted the end of the world when Lost Abbey moved in. I have never seen a single person in there who was visibly drunk. The problem with painting all alcohol-serving establishments with the same brush is you lose credibility and impact for when it really matters.

    IMO, focus on enforcement at the problem establishments that are creating a noise problem, over serving, letting in more people than the fire capacity allows, etc. No one would argue with the idea that we have a few problem establishments that are attracting the wrong crowds, and that we should make life difficult for them until they reform.

    But generally people don't go to a quiet and expensive tasting room to get their blotto on.

    Cue the ETL to clutch pearls and call me names.

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    1. The Saloon comes to mind . .

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    2. 8:04 completely incorrect. That plaza was a complete family scene before the lost Abby leering crowd came in. Ruined a great family hang out, especially in the evenings and in Cardiff one of the only places families enjoyed publicly after sunset.

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    3. And just because one went in and some people like it doesn't mean an endless string should follow!

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    4. These are beer bars - period. Beer tasting!!!! What a laugh! Booze, booze, and more booze.

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    5. I've been in there several times and have never been leered at. Kids still play out front...

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    6. A fraction of the kids. No more family outdoor movie nights, not possible in this environment now. I have witnessed "dudes" totally drunk, trying to maintain while ordering pizza next door. Our recent council has sold us out.

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  14. According to the ABC website, Culture Brewery's Solana Beach alcohol license expired 12-31-16. Why is Encinitas Planning Department wasting time on this satellite beer bar?
    Complain to the Planning Commission and tell them to tell the ABC that residents protested. ABC has to look into it.

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    1. ABC won't allow alcohol within 100 feet of residents, but that didn't stop our PC and Council from approving the Leucadia Club anyway.

      Our Planning Dept. doesn't waste time on the law, it ignores it.

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    2. 2:43 PM
      Post the ABC reference for no alcohol within 100 feet of residents. Time to march on the brain dead council with the information.

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    3. They were marched on last month when the Leucadia Club item was heard. They were shown the ABC code. They looked the other way. The item was heard on the 15th; watch the video for details.

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    4. Planning Dept determined that more alcohol was/is needed at that location in Leucadia. Council agreed with PD. Hell, if you lived in Leucadia you'd want to be drunk also. Woooo!!!

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    5. It's the Planning Commission, not the Planning Department. The two are entirely different.

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  15. City council's new song - "How dry I am" to be sung before every council meeting. Councilman Tony Kranz will lead the refrain.

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    1. With one hand behind his back, fingers crossed.

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  16. More like the one finger salute to our community.

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  17. 10:34- Where did you find the ABC's site that said what you said about the Culture Club. That would be excellent to send to the City Council.

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  18. Link to the ABC
    https://www.abc.ca.gov/index.html

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  19. Modern Times and Culture Brewing are two completely different animals and should not be grouped in as one. They are different locations, usages and designs to be clear. As a patron of Culture and a resident of Cardiff I for one am not opposed to them opening a tasting room and openly support them. They are our neighbors to the south, they live here, work here and share in the same concerns and experiences we all have. They are not trying to come in and infuse their brand into our community, they are a part of this community and their brand and beer reflects that. Their tasting room is not a late night hangout or professional drinking establishment, they focus on craft beers in low volume and the art of brewing. Going there is an experience one where you can try and then buy products to go. In the past we have gotten kegs from them for our fundraisers , growlers and large cans that we have given as gifts as a way to share the unique artisanal spirit of our community with our friends who don't live here. Its all a part of what makes north county special. If they were opening up a high volume "Bar" I would not be to keen on it, there are to many, to close together and yes I do not want another shit hole like PB for my daughter to grow up in. Culture is not part of that scene nor are its customers...If you really want to know go check them out and see for yourself...there are to many "anonymous" posts here that are fear based opinions and not rooted in fact or actual experience. Change is inevitable, lets at least help to guide it in a positive way by being supporters of local businesses and the people who work hard to build these businesses.

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  20. 4:31 PM
    It is a bar.

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  21. I have a small business next to Culture Brewing Co on Cedros Ave and have enjoyed countless evenings at their tasting room with friends, family and clients. They have created a welcoming, cool and relaxed atmosphere for people to gather and connect, which has humbly "elevated" Cedros in my opinion. Since Culture opened over 4 years ago, I have never once witnessed a customer that was belligerent or aggressive, let alone any sign of a physical altercation ---- only smiles. I've had the pleasure of getting to know the owners along the way as well, whom I have a deep respect for, both personally and professionally - notably their integrity, class and importance they've placed on giving a portion of proceeds to local charities from every event held at the tasting room. I'm confident that Culture would be a positive addition to the evolving downtown Encinitas style and experience.

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    1. AMEN someone who actually knows what he's talking about. Thank you.

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  22. 10:01 AM
    It is a bar. Downtown Encinitas is overrun with bars.

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  23. 1010
    What do you think the types of businesses encinitas 101 should have? Maybe you and all the like minded people here should buy every commercial property and do what you want. You then can achieve your ultimate power and control. Everyone loves Encinitas for the beach and community. If the bars where such a problem for residences. People would move out of the area. Its the opposite if your lucky enough to live in the moonlight area you are truly blessed. There are many people who would pay a premium to live in your bar over run area.
    Can we all get along... Rodney King

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  24. 11:44 AM
    For starters, Councilman Tony Kranz could resign since his goal for downtown Encinitas is more bars.

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  25. Hooray! Another beer bar, Culture Brewing, approved by the Planning Commission. The Council's strategic plan of more alcohol establishments in the city is working. Council Kranz, Blakespear, and Horvath truly represent the residents of Encinitas. Thank heaven, they were elected.

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    1. Disaster. But we all know about our councilman in front of kenos and his demons. What goes around will be ordering another round.

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  26. I don't know about the councilman in front of kenos. Share.

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  27. Mike Nelson and Rob Farrow: Nicely put. Agree. Unfortunately, it's a few bad apples, we all know who they are, that are the problem. I don't believe any true "Bars" have been approved in the City in over 20 plus years. But, I could be wrong.

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