After dedicating 30 years of his life to protecting the City of Glendora, one former lieutenant began another passion of his: craft beer.
Former lieutenant Jamie Caldwell and a group of friends will hold a grand opening of their newest venture, Alosta Brewing Co. in Covina, Saturday, Jan. 18. Tucked away in an industrial complex off Arrow Highway in Covina, the micro brewery boasts six different beers and is also home to a tasting room, where "beer nerds" can enjoy what the group has to offer.
With three decades of policing under his belt and the itch to get the micro brewery off and running, Caldwell decided it was time to call it a career.
"It was the right time. We were really looking to get this brewery started and in California it's a conflict of interest. You can't be a sworn police officer and have a liquor license," Caldwell said. "I have absolutely no regrets with Glendora. Probably one of the greatest places to work in my life."
Almost a decade ago, Caldwell and his friends Herb Adams, head brewer and co-owner Byron Fisher would venture with a large contingent to Las Vegas, visit micro breweries and do a pub crawl, Caldwell said.
A few years ago, Caldwell and his friends crunched the numbers. They soon realized a micro brewery could be a viable venture, Caldwell said.
A supportive 2013 Covina City Council also helped in making Alosta Brewing Co. a reality. A Kickstarter campaign the same year yielded around $20,000 in startup funding, Caldwell said.
Initially, Covina residents were worried about having "a bar in their neighborhood," but the group assured residents that Alosta Brewing is only a brewery and tasting room, which is only opened Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Caldwell said.
Alosta Brewing Co. had a soft opening about six weeks ago and use Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to get word of mouth going.
Available at Alosta Brewing are a Blonde Ale, British Pale Ale, Double Pale Ale, Brown Porter, Saison and the very popular Vanilla Oatmeal Stout.
The Blonde Ale, named "Sally," is very popular at T. Phillips Ale House in Glendora where Caldwell said the restaurant is going through a keg a week.
The Brewery also has accounts with other restaurants, including Pappas Artisanal in La Verne and Bread & Barley in Covina. Eventually, Alosta Brewing would like to further expand to more restaurants.
The grand opening will take place Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. at Alosta Brewing Co., 692 Arrow Grand Circle in Covina. Food will also be provided and Covina Mayor Walter Allen III will take part in a ribbon cutting ceremony.
