Low employee turnover is a reliable sign of a quality business. It means those long-tenured staffers are satisfied with their employers and vice versa. And when it comes to a hospitality venue like a brewery tasting room, longevity often translates to a level of comfort that benefits patrons and helps construct similarly lengthy relationships with regulars. A great example of this can be found at Helix Brewing in La Mesa, an out-of-the-way spot that’s worth discovering, in large part because of its friendly front-of-housers, many of which have been there for years and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. As part of our final Praising the Bar feature of 2025, we’re pleased to introduce you to four of Helix’s finest!
Karen Marsh
Tasting Room Manager
Where did you grow up?
Sao Paulo, Brazil
What brought you to San Diego?
I had been here once before on vacation with a friend, just doing all the tourist stuff you can do in California, and I loved San Diego! I come from a big and highly populated city, so San Diego had the small-town feel but it also had everything. So the following year I just quit my job, packed my bags and moved here. That was 16 years ago.
When and how did you get into craft beer – was there an a-ha moment – and did it happen before or after you started working in the industry?
I got into craft beer through friends that either worked in the industry or were just very into beer. Then I lived in North Park for a while. I was within walking distance of Toronado, where Nate Soroko got me into IPAs and sour beers.
Have you worked for other breweries, and if so, which ones and in what capacity?
I worked for a couple of years as a beertender at Groundswell Brewing when they first opened.
What do you love most about your job?
Meeting new people and learning about the beers. Helix has such a cool vibe. It is really like a second home.
Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?
The scheduling and bookings. It’s hard to please everyone!
What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?
Being part of the industry for over 10 years is an accomplishment in itself, along with all the knowledge I’ve gained and the connections I’ve made.
What do you love most about the company you work for?
I love the atmosphere and the people. We have a great team and we are all pretty much like family. Also, Helix’s owner, Cameron Ball, is a very chill guy to work for.
What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?
Galaxy rye IPA
What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?
I always have Secret Safari pale ale from Abnormal Beer Co. in my fridge at home. Sunny Grove Brewing’s Jandals IPA, Burning Beard Brewing’s New Fang pale ale and Fall Brewing’s Magical & Delicious pale ale are some of my other favorites.
What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you’re off the clock?
I don’t really go to as many breweries as people think, but when I do, you will find me at Sunny Grove or Fall.
Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?
We have so many amazing regulars! Barney and Mary Lou are one of my favorite couples, and they’ve became personal friends of mine. And also the Weavers. They are the nicest people and always a joy to have around!
Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?
We have two buildings at our location, the Helix side with our regular beers and Sourworx with our sours. If a customer asks for a sour beer and I have to walk with them to Sourworx, I think it’s funny that a lot of times they end up following me all the way behind the bar!
What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you’re in control?
Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead and The National or, if I’m feeling more nostalgic, Violent Femmes, James and Depeche Mode. One of our regulars once said he knows who’s working by the time he walks in just based on what’s playing!
What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?
Knowing how to manage your time. We want to get to know our customers, but we might have to cut the conversation short to be able to help someone else. Be aware of the surroundings so you know when someone needs something.
What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?
Be open to trying different types of beer. There are so many amazing options, you might find something new that you will love. Check out the menu and have questions ready before you order. Be respectful to the staff and patrons.
What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?
I love what I do and appreciate all the trust that was given me to do this job. I’ll probably be at Helix forever…ha!
What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere?
The San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew Fest and also Punk in Drublic.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
Spending time with my family. I have a seven-year-old that keeps me pretty busy. But when I can, I also love going to concerts – Casbah is my absolute favorite venue – and dinner with friends.
Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct 10-words-or-less answer)?
Just a mom who loves beer and music.
Hunter Finley
Beertender
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and moved here when I was six, but am so happy to have grown up here in San Diego.
Have you worked for other breweries, and if so, which ones and in what capacity?
I work at Gravity Heights, also as a server.
What do you love most about your job?
I love the community and how it feels like a big family.
Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?
Being someone’s therapist when I’m feeling burnt out myself.
What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?
The people I’ve made connections with at the brewery. It keeps customers coming back and excited about who’s working, which is lovely for bringing the community aspect of life that we all need more of.
What do you love most about the company you work for?
We are a tight-knit family and also have a lot of freedom. There’s not someone constantly over our shoulders. Cameron is big on “judgment calls”.
What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?
Definitely the Galaxy rye IPA and Haze for Horses hazy IPA, but my favorites are the sours. I really like them all, specifically mixing two different ones. Regulars will come in and ask for a mix of mine and I love that.
What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you’re off the clock?
Burning Beard and McIlhenney Brewing. I love supporting the East County breweries.
Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?
Of course the Brady family. Also John Flynn and Ben Schiwitz, who has become a good friend of mine.
Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?
It’s not necessarily funny, but I do get to take out my feminine rage on the old guys that make inappropriate comments to the girls behind the bar. Those are always funny moments for us.
What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you’re in control?
Definitely No Doubt or anything reggae!
What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?
Getting to know your customers. I like to pour their beers before they walk up to the bar when I already know what they want.
What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere?
Definitely our annual anniversary party!
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I love the beach, camping, farmers’ markets, Padres games, eating out at yummy restaurants and laughing with friends.
Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct 10-words-or-less answer)?
A free spirit who loves dancing through life and travel.
Andrew Angulo
Beertender
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in La Mesa.
When and how did you get into craft beer – was there an a-ha moment – and did it happen before or after you started working in the industry?
I fell in love with beer with the original Alpine Beer Co.’s Nelson IPA. It hurt my heart when the brewery was sold to Green Flash Brewing and the recipe was changed. Then I stumbled into Helixing one day and couldn’t find a bad beer. From that point on, I knew I wanted to work here.
What do you love most about your job?
I love mixing it up with the local community, hanging with my coworkers in and out of work, and working for our boss, Cameron, He’s the man.
Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?
The part I like the least is for sure cleaning the toilets.
What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?
I’m proud of building this community we have here at Helix. I’ve been here since day one and have had the pleasure of watching this thing grow into what it is today.
What do you love most about the company you work for?
Promoting the beers. It’s easy when the product you sell is something you believe in. A close second is working for and with a staff and leader you trust.
What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?
I’m always partial to the Galaxy rye IPA. Right now, my favorite is the Hoptical Prism IPA. It might be the best beer we make. I used to love the Black Eye Rye which was a black IPA, but that has sadly been discontinued.
What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?
That is an everchanging answer. The safe bet is anything Mcilhenney produces. I used to love Stone Brewing’s Xocoveza spiced mocha stout.
What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you’re off the clock?
Mchilhenney, Sunny Grove, Burning Beard, Fall and Societe Brewing
Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?
My favorite is the Brady family: Lance, Rhett and Max. They are a great group, always take care of us, and are just extremely generous and fun to be around. We’ve become true friends outside of the brewery. Notables are Ben Schiwitz, Mark Nunnari, Kurt and Jen, Mike and Diane, and Mike, even though he’s a Dodgers fan.
Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?
One time, a guy who was clearly on drugs soiled himself outside then wanted to wash himself off in our sink area, which is a communal setup. He also wanted to know where the cops were. I told him they weren’t here and there was absolutely no chance he was cleaning off in our sink. I was eventually able to get him back outside and he had a brand new F150, which got me thinking about his life choices. He came back the next day sober and apologized. I’ve been here for nine years and that type of thing has only happened once. That’s a pretty good track record.
What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you’re in control?
Straight vibes. Reggae or 311 Radio. Barrington Levy. When we close and want to turn up a bit I might throw on some 2000s hip-hop.
What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?
Understanding where the customer is coming from. They want to have a good time and it’s our job to facilitate that. Help them choose the beer that will treat them right. Make them feel welcomed, but remain a real person. There’s nothing worse than fake service-worker activity. You need to care.
What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?
Lean on beertenders. They know what’s good and what’s selling fast. We try the beer the most and we want this place to feel like home, so let us help you have a good time!
What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?
I want to run a place that serves the community with good clean ingredients and provides a service to my people. I have a microgreen farm selling to local restaurants. I want San Diego to have a place to get fresh produce, fresh beer and fresh vibes from within.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I like working on my business, working out, going outside and exploring, golfing and cultivating the relationships in my life that matter.
Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct 10-words-or-less answer)?
I am a loyal friend that puts my people first.
Catalina Perez
Beertender
Where did you grow up?
Santa Barbara
What brought you to San Diego?
I continued my education at SDSU in 2021 and loved it enough to stay!
When and how did you get into craft beer – was there an a-ha moment – and did it happen before or after you started working in the industry?
I was lucky enough to find some extra IPAs laying around in my dad’s cooler when we would go camping, so I acquired a taste for them probably before I should have. But I definitely started enjoying them a lot more after working in the industry.
What do you love most about your job?
The beer and the vibe speak for itself – no stress trying to impress. Oh, and beer shots!
Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?
Hand-picking ZYNs out of the urinal at the end of the night.
What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?
Every day I’m at Helix, I learn something new. It feels good to have the confidence in myself to make judgment calls that I may have been hesitant to do on my own in the past. Some days you’re there by yourself and there’s no one to lean on when you need to come up with a solution, so trusting in myself to make the best call for me, the customers and the brewery is a good feeling.
What do you love most about the company you work for?
I love the environment Cameron has created. He is so laidback and full of joy. All he wants for his employees and customers is to be happy and healthy. It felt like family from day one. He actually got offended when I called him my boss and not my friend. Being able to go to work every day and be entrusted with something that he built from the ground up feels pretty rad.
What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?
Praguenosis red Czech lager! And, of course, Stoner Moment IPA, duh.
What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?
Abnormal’s Boss Pour IPA, as well as Harland Brewing’s Japanese Lager and Ube IPA.
What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you’re off the clock?
Fall, Harland and Latchkey Brewing
Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?
There are so many wonderful people that I am blessed to spend time with every week, but if I had to choose a few to mention I’d say the Brady Bunch, Kylie and Dom, and Barney. They’re all so generous, care about others, and everyone is happy to see them. Shoutout to all the lovely faces that constantly support us!
Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?
It’s so hard to narrow down all of the funny moments. I think a good one would be when one of our beertenders shaved his infamous beard and no one knew who was standing behind the bar serving beer when we walked in for our shifts that evening.
What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you’re in control?
Stick Figure is hands down number one, but I don’t mind switching it up with some country. And when it’s a mellow night and it’s coming to an end, I like a good Tyler Childers or Red Clay Strays playlist.
What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?
It’s so important to engage with people, especially when you can tell they may need some guidance or don’t have much craft-beer experience. Asking questions like, “What do you like to drink?” or telling them a bit more about how the place works always helps people feel comfortable and welcome.
What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?
I think walking into a taproom can be a bit intimidating for customers because they don’t want to feel out of place or clueless. I think the best thing to do right off the bat is ask questions like, “Hey, this is my first time here. Can you tell me a bit more about how this place works?” We aren’t going to assume you want a whole rundown of the place unless you ask, and once you do we’re happy to help.
What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?
I would love to work in a supporting role in law enforcement and make a positive impact on the community.
What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere?
I haven’t attended many beer events because they’re always on weekends, but Munich had some pretty fun biergartens.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I love being in the sun, staying active and spending time with people who make me laugh!
Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct 10-words-or-less answer)?
A girl who loves the Good Lord and good beer.
Helix Brewing is located at 8101 Commercial Street in La Mesa