Today we’d like to introduce you to Virginia Morrison.
Virginia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Our Brewmaster, Co-Founder, and my husband, Marty, has been brewing professionally for 20 years – before it was cool. He worked for a corporate brewery for 17 years, but for many of those years, he yearned to be independent and do the craft his own way. Therefore, when we met, after continual persuading from myself and our other business partner and Co-Founder, Curtis, Second Chance was formed in 2013. However, it took two years of “blood, sweat, and tears” to raise capital and construct our beloved Brewery and Taproom. Besides just making award-winning beers – Marty now has 13 Great American Beer Festival and 6 World Beer Cup Awards to his credit, after earning back-to-back Golds for our Robust Porter, Tabula Rasa, again at GABF this year – we have an inviting Tap Room and company values that give us purpose. For example, approximately 80% of all decor, furniture, fixtures, etc…in our Tasting Room is “living its second chance.” In other words, it’s been recycled, upcycled, repurposed, or, instead of being thrown away, is being reused.
In addition, we have an aggressive philanthropic program, focused on working with local organizations that give people, things, and animals a “second chance.” Hence, we hold fundraisers for organizations like Second Chance Dog Rescue, Donate Life San Diego, and local community members battling cancer. We also have help “Fix-It” Clinics at our brewery where residents can bring appliances and electronics to get them fixed, rather than tossing them to the landfill. Second Chance is not just our name. It also encompasses passions for us to do our part to save the planet and give back to our community.
Has it been a smooth road?
Is it ever?! Raising the necessary capital at the time we were doing it took longer than we wanted, as did construction, some of the blips with which we dealt with for many months after opening. We’ve grown fast, and there have been the inevitable miscommunications, insufficient staff training, and occasional missteps that come along with rapid growth. However, as an attorney, I like to think I’ve helped us avoid many struggles, and our Team – the #secondchancefam – is second to none within the local industry. They’ve helped us to standout in a very crowded market.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Second Chance Beer Company – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in a very eclectic offering of beers – not just IPA, hop-bombs. Marty is an English-style, Brewer, making balanced beers, with dry finishes. His styles range from Irish, Belgium, and traditional English to balanced IPAs and XPAs. Our TapRoom, we’re told, is special, because of our welcoming atmosphere of a Kids’ Corner and Adults-Only Area with adult games, Food Truck Partners with whom we work closely, and, again, our Team, providing “first-rate” customer service, where we know regulars by name, families, careers, and milestones in their lives. We strive to make every guest who walks through our doors have a positive, memorable experience in at least one or more ways.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Best – the great beer, of course, and the amazing people in the craft industry, at large.
Least – these days, the weather. Too hot, yet I haven’t seen the cost of living go down correspondingly. Mother Nature owes us all a refund!
Contact Info:
- Address: Second Chance Beer Company, Carmel Mountain Ranch Brewery & Tap Room
15378 Avenue of Science
Suite 222
San Diego, CA 92128Second Chance Beer Lounge, North Park
4045 30th St., Ste A
San Diego, CA 92104 - Website: www.secondchancebeer.com
- Phone: 8587056250
- Email: virginia@secondchancebeer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondchancebeer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secondchancebeercompany/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/2ndChanceBeerCo
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/second-chance-beer-company
Image Credit:
Mason Street Productions
Phelan Rumle
Del Mar Photographics
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
