Originally published at https://www.escondido.org November 12, 2020.
Escondido Insight — Business Spotlight
Longtime Friends are Crafting New Brews in Escondido
Anthony Tallman, Derek van Leeuwen, and Matthew Zirpolo, classmates at La Costa Canyon in Carlsbad, always hoped to someday own their own brewery. After college, Tallman became a brewer at Stone Brewing Company, van Leeuwen went into manufacturing, and Zirpolo applied his college degree and worked in marketing. Soon, they realized that by working together, they could create the brewery they dreamed about in high school.
“With our three skill sets, we decided that we would be a great team,” said Zirpolo. “So we created a business plan.”
High School Pals and Brewing Partners Matthew Zirpolo, Derek van Leeuwen, and Anthony Tallman.
In 2016 they launched Burgeon Beer Company in Carlsbad and on November 20, they will be expanding with a new brewery in Escondido.
“We are very excited to be moving here and to be part of the community,” said Zirpolo, who was, until recently, the former president of the San Diego Brewers Guild, and knows the impact local breweries can have in their communities.
“It’s an organization that really supports its members,” he said. “They work to make sure breweries have all the resources to be successful, and they foster a cohesive mentality among everyone here in San Diego. It’s the ‘rising tide lifts all ships' mentality. We really create a great culture for craft beer in San Diego county.”
That sense of support came to the Burgeon team as fellow brewers were tapping out.
Burgeon will be occupying the space left by Escondido Brewing Company, which came to an end in June. After three successful years, the Escondido Brewing Company team decided to close their doors largely because of issues surrounding the pandemic. Zirpolo said he and his partners are good friends with the former owners and were approached to take over the space when they decided to shut down. “They came to us with the opportunity to open in their space, and we are honored to be here,” said Zirpolo.
When one door closes, another opens, and Escondido officials were more than happy to welcome the trio’s new brewery. “Local craft breweries give our communities a place to meet and celebrate, and their localized craft beers bring a sense of pride to the area,” said Amber Tarrac, Escondido’s Deputy Director of Economic Development. “We are so glad to welcome Burgeon Beer Company, and are happy they are using this space to expand their business and bring our city a place to continue to enjoy craft beers.”
The central location of the new brewery on Rock Springs Road is close to both the 78 and 15 freeways, and is near the downtown train and bus stations, making it accessible for both residents and guests.
The team has been working hard to transform the space into their own. “Burgeon means to grow,” Zirpolo said . At the new Escondido location, branded The Oasis, the “growth” theme will be incorporated throughout the brewery, with features such as live edge wood tables and counters, green elements, and an earthy aesthetic similar to the design of their Carlsbad location.
The completely outdoor brewery designed like a traditional beer garden, will have 12 taps to serve craft beers and a pilot brewing system, which allows for smaller-batch and specialty beers. Additionally, local craft food trucks will rotate at the location to serve dishes that pair well with the craft beers on tap. Harvest Kitchen will provide the fare in the opening days.
Burgeon will be open Wednesdays through Sundays. Because the tasting facility is an exclusively outdoor setting, with canopies and umbrellas for shading, it complies with existing California pandemic regulations. With that in mind, Zirpolo stressed that the brewery will be taking additional precautions.
“We want to make sure that everyone feels safe,” he said. “If they feel safe, they are more likely to come back, and I think that’s a reflection of our business.” Additional measures include staff and patron temperature checks at the front door, hand sanitizers on all the tables, table spacing, and increased sanitizing and cleaning procedures.
Opening just before Thanksgiving, craft specials to tie in with the holiday will be created. “We have two special-release beers coming up the week after we open and right before Thanksgiving,” said Zirpolo. Also on the menu is an Escondido-inspired brew called Burgeon In Escondido, with cans that are wrapped with a map of the city of Escondido. “That will be released shortly after we open,” said Zirpolo.
Special-brewed Burgeon In Escondido to Celebrate Burgeon’s Grand Opening.
Along with opening his business in the city, Zirpolo is also moving with his family to Escondido. “I’m very excited to personally be moving here,” he said. “I was born and raised in San Diego, and I’m excited to become part of the Escondido culture and community here.”
Zirpolo said he is looking forward to meeting the community and sharing his product with them. For beer drinkers who are not quite ready to venture into the breweries just yet, Burgeon’s craft beers can be ordered online for shipping and delivery as well.
Burgeon Beer Company’s The Oasis is located at 649 Rock Springs Road. They can be reached by phone at 760-814-2548 or email taproom@burgeonbeer.com.