ChuckAlek jumpstarts 2015 with Brewing and Business award
Did you know that there are 96 operating brew houses in San Diego County? In that list, the only one in Ramona is ChuckAlek Independent Brewers.
Marta Jankowska and Grant Fraley, the CEO and head brewer, respectively, are the founders who named the brewery after their grandfathers.
During San Diego Beer Week in November, ChuckAlek Independent Brewers received the Samuel Adams 2015 Brewing and Business Experienceship award from Boston Beer Company.
This award provides the recipient with a mentorship from the brewers of Boston Beer Company. Best known for the Samuel Adams beer series, Boston Beer Company invests in brewers and entrepreneurs in the beer industry who have talent and passion for making good beer. Out of numerous applicants, ChuckAlek was chosen to not only receive mentorship but also a $10,000 microloan, which Jankowska and Fraley agree will help them run their new business more smoothly. The microloan was secured through Accion San Diego, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide financial means to small businesses.
State Sen. Joel Anderson recently recognized ChuckAlek’s accomplishment and presented Jankowska and Fraley with a Senate Certificate of Recognition. Ramona is among communities in District 38, which Anderson represents.
“ChuckAlek Independent Brewers is an incredible local company that is a great ambassador for Ramona to the rest of the country,” said Anderson. “It’s an honor to recognize Marta and Grant’s entrepreneurial and community spirits, and I am so proud of their hard work that has earned them this tremendous opportunity.”
In Ramona, ChuckAlek Independent Brewers partners with other businesses in the area. One of the many beers served at the tasting room is ChuckAlek Independent Brewers’ Pumpkin Stout, which was made “with pumpkins from just down the road, from Harbour Farm & Vineyard,” said Jankowska.
“We use their heirloom pumpkin varieties,” she said. “We wait until they’re good, and then we roast hundreds of tons of pumpkins, which is a long process...It’s really different from a lot of pumpkin stouts because we don’t put a lot of spice into it. There’s a tiny bit of cinnamon, and the pumpkin really comes through a lot more.”
ChuckAlek Independent Brewers also shops locally in Ramona for a few specific beers they make.
“It’s great to have some local sourcing,” said Jankowska.
The customers are Jankowska’s favorite thing about being in Ramona.
“We get such very supportive, really awesome people that come in,” she said. “Ramonans are really loyal and that’s really nice to get.”
Jessica Mendel is a legislative intern for District 38 Sen. Joel Anderson.