![\"Arryved](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/heading_praisingthebar_arryved-01-1024x257.png\")
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Good beer is only one important factor when it comes to winning the love of regulars and members of the communities you call home, enough to make it a whopping 13 years in a brewery-saturated county. The other vital component is a highly qualified, hospitable and invested front-of-house staff to help guarantee positive, memorable tasting room experiences. That\u2019s just what Culture Brewing<\/a> has going at all three of its public venues, spanning Solana Beach to Los Angeles\u2019 Manhattan Beach community. Today we celebrate key members of that team via our Praising the Bar<\/a> feature.<\/p>\n Larry Solimon Where did you grow up?\u00a0 When and how did you get into craft beer \u2013 was there an a-ha moment \u2013 and did it happen before or after you started working in the industry?\u00a0 What do you love most about your job?\u00a0 Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?\u00a0 What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?\u00a0 What do you love most about the company you work for?\u00a0 What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?\u00a0 What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?\u00a0 What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you\u2019re off the clock?\u00a0 Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?\u00a0 Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?\u00a0 What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you\u2019re in control?\u00a0 What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?\u00a0 What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?\u00a0 What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?\u00a0 What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere?\u00a0 What do you enjoy doing when you\u2019re not at work?\u00a0 Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct 10-words-or-less answer)?\u00a0 Amanda Severson Where did you grow up?\u00a0 What brought you to San Diego?\u00a0 When and how did you get into craft beer \u2013 was there an a-ha moment \u2013 and did it happen before or after you started working in the industry?\u00a0 What do you love most about your job?\u00a0 Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?\u00a0 What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?\u00a0 What do you love most about the company you work for?\u00a0 What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?\u00a0 What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?\u00a0 What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you\u2019re off the clock?\u00a0 Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?\u00a0 Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?\u00a0 What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you\u2019re in control?\u00a0 What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room? What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?\u00a0 What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?\u00a0 What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere?\u00a0 What do you enjoy doing when you\u2019re not at work?\u00a0 Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct 10-words-or-less answer)? Katie Speaks Where did you grow up? What brought you to San Diego? When and how did you get into craft beer \u2013 was there an a-ha moment \u2013 and did it happen before or after you started working in the industry? What do you love most about your job? Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least? What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry? What do you love most about the company you work for? What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces? What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general? What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you\u2019re off the clock? Who are some of your favorite regulars and why? Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us? What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you\u2019re in control? What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room? What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom? What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry? What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere? What do you enjoy doing when you\u2019re not at work? Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct 10-words-or-less answer)? Kelly Oelschlager Where did you grow up?\u00a0 What brought you to San Diego?\u00a0 When and how did you get into craft beer \u2013 was there an a-ha moment \u2013 and did it happen before or after you started working in the industry?\u00a0 Have you worked for other breweries, and if so, which ones and in what capacity?\u00a0 What do you love most about your job?\u00a0 Truth time, what is the part of your job that you like the least?\u00a0 What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time in the craft-beer industry?\u00a0 What do you love most about the company you work for?\u00a0 What is your favorite beer that your brewery produces?\u00a0 What are some of your favorite San Diego craft beers, in general?\u00a0 What are some local brewery venues other than your own that you like to refer customers to or patronize when you\u2019re off the clock?\u00a0 Who are some of your favorite regulars and why?\u00a0 Everybody has funny work stories. Would you mind sharing one with us?\u00a0 What music genre and artists are playing in the tasting room when you\u2019re in control?\u00a0 What do you consider cornerstones when it comes to customer service, particularly at a brewery tasting room?\u00a0 What advice would you give to customers looking to have the best possible experience when visiting a brewery taproom?\u00a0 What are your career aspirations either in or beyond the craft-beer industry?\u00a0 What are some of your favorite beer events, whether at your brewery or elsewhere?\u00a0 What do you enjoy doing when you\u2019re not at work?\u00a0\u00a0 Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question requiring a succinct 10-words-or-less answer)? Culture Brewing is located at 111 South Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach, and its satellite tasting rooms are located at 629 South Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas and 327 Manhattan Beach Boulevard in Los Angeles\u2019 Manhattan Beach community<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Good beer is only one important factor when it comes to winning the love of regulars and members…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":46516,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[2252,4782,4601,47,19498,74,76,75],"class_list":["post-46515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-diego","tag-brewery","tag-culture-brewing","tag-encinitas","tag-los-angeles","tag-praising-the-bar","tag-san-diego","tag-san-diego-headlines","tag-san-diego-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46515","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46515"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46515\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Larry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/culture_01-672x1024.png\")
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North County General Manager<\/p>\n
San Diego native! Paradise Hills, represent! I was born at Navy Balboa Hospital. My father served in the U.S. Navy and was lucky enough to get orders to stay here until he retired.<\/p>\n
I was working a 100% commission sales job at Nordstrom in 2016, selling womens shoes. Shout out to Al Bundy! I had the biggest burnout-slash-crash of my life, and decided that retail wasn\u2019t for me. I loved the customer service aspect, though, and told my wife I wanted to do something fun. I fell in love with craft beer and frequented Stone Brewing\u2019s taproom in South Park. I thought, \u201cWow, being a beertender looks fun.\u201d Luckily I had friends in the industry, and was able to bring my customer service experience over. Thank you Chris and Whitney for giving me an opportunity. I am so grateful!<\/p>\n
What I love most is developing our beertenders. There is no better praise than customers and regulars saying how much they love our staff. They set the tone, they are the first point of contact, and it\u2019s my job to make sure they are equipped and ready with every opportunity to provide a reason for people to come back.<\/p>\n
Putting everything into hyping up events when outside vendors come out and spend their time here at the brewery just for no one to show up. Genuinely, I hate wasting people\u2019s time and energy. I feel for small business owners and vendors. It\u2019s hard work trying to get a business started and maintained. It\u2019s a double-edged sword having the best weather in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How we always put our communities first. We\u2019ve been able to host many dog-\u2019adoption events, as well as fundraisers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, lifeguards and schools. We rely on our community to keep us in business. Also, I am proud of our brewers. We\u2019ve won some medals, and I know taste is subjective, but they really work their ass off day in and day out. They take as much ownership in the business. It\u2019s all collaborative.<\/p>\n
This company has allowed me to grow personally and professionally. Almost everything we decide is a collaborative effort, and having ownership that values our ideas is important. It allows us to really take stock in what is working and not working.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Right now, our American Pilsner is so refreshing. Not too sweet, pretty crisp and very clean.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eenny Meenny Decisions from Hopnonymous Brewing is slapping. It\u2019s a super sneaky 7% (alcohol-by-volume) New Zealand-hopped IPA. Really impressive. North Park Beer Co.\u2019s (NPBC) Art is Hard hazy IPA is a go-to, and Societe Brewing\u2019s Light Beer is so crushable.<\/p>\n
I always ask patrons where they are staying to give them some references for their neighborhood. These are can\u2019t-misses, though, and places I frequent: Societe, Pizza Port, Modern Times Beer\u2019s Encinitas Pub, NPBC and Green Cheek Beer Co. in Oceanside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Banjo Willy usually takes walks from our Encinitas location to the Solana beach location. He has seen a lot of change in our neighborhoods and fully accepted us as a part of his community. He\u2019s always positive and is a very interesting person to talk to. He is an amazing banjo player. Catch his band at North County street fairs!<\/p>\n
I still don\u2019t get keg couplers on correctly sometimes. We all know what happens when you push down and it\u2019s not locked in.<\/p>\n
Goth Babe, Interpol and Strokes Radio during business hours; Hot Snakes and Pig Destroyer at last call and cleaning hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Asking our customer enough questions? Everyone loves to talk about themselves, and when you lean into that and get to know a customer you create a second place for them. We need genuine connection in this world more than ever, and when you capture that you create a customer \u2013 and maybe even a friend \u2013 for life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ask your beertender about their favorite beer on tap. Our beertenders know our beer inside-out and we like what we like for a reason.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t even imagine going anywhere else, but if I had to, I would be interested in a business or team development consulting, specifically in craft beer.<\/p>\n
I really enjoy the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). Camaraderie couldn\u2019t be higher, since we all have the same goals. And it\u2019s nice to see how other breweries are operating.<\/p>\n
Hanging with my six-year-old. She\u2019s in a ton of dance classes at the moment, and I enjoy watching the pureness of just play and focus. I also stream and play a ton of Warzone, battlenet: sbstnce#1694, if you are trying to squad up\/catch these hands.<\/p>\n
I care deeply and wear my heart on my sleeve.<\/p>\n![\"Amanda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/culture_02-741x1024.png\")
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Solana Beach Tasting Room Manager<\/p>\n
Bakersfield, California<\/p>\n
I moved to San Diego almost 17 years ago. Growing up in a small town was fun and made me who I am today, but was also a little tough for me. I always knew I wanted to be in a bigger city.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I feel really lucky to have been part of the craft beer scene from the beginning. All of my closest friends were musicians that became brewers. I\u2019ve been a craft beer drinker from the start, and it was really neat being able to go to local dive bars and order my first IPA. Just to name a few of my favorites: Toronado, Monkey Paw Pub & Brewery, Blind Lady Ale House, O\u2019Brien\u2019s Pub, Hamilton\u2019s Tavern, Sunshine Company, Small Bar and, of course, Live Wire.<\/p>\n
I know it sounds cheesy, but I really do love my job! But what I value most is the sense of community. I love connecting with the locals and regulars who come in. It\u2019s so rad to see how long a lot of these customers have been coming to Culture. I also love giving new customers a welcoming experience. I taught classes in customer service, so hospitality is essential.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t enjoy being the bad guy. Like any job there are tough decisions to be made from time to time, but I always try to use my best judgment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m proud to be part of an award-winning brewery that\u2019s been standing for almost 13 years and is still going.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I love that it\u2019s a family-owned-and-operated establishment with a welcoming atmosphere!\u00a0<\/p>\n
I would say it\u2019s a tie between our award-winning Brown Ale and our Black IPA.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fall Brewing\u2019s Plenty For All Pilsner and Jazz Hands Berliner weisse, Societe Brewing\u2019s The Pupil IPA and Topa Topa Brewing\u2019s Chief Peak IPA.<\/p>\n
Fall, Societe, Pure Project Brewing and The Original 40 Brewing<\/p>\n
This is an extremely hard question. I have so many favorite regulars. I would have to say Sue and Wayne, Erin and Kristy, Michael Dunford, Mike Stell and Stephen Handley. Most of these regulars are now some of my closest friends!\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m grateful that our staff gets along so well and is super close! The other day, my co-worker played a trick on me and took my belongings. I couldn\u2019t find my things for almost 30 minutes and was trying not to lose my mind. Finally, they decide to bring my stuff out. I totally got punked! It\u2019s fun to be able to joke around and laugh together at work, and not take everything so seriously.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m such a music-lover, so what we play is super important to me. I want everyone to enjoy the atmosphere and the music we play. A lot of my regulars tell me they love the tunes on my days. I usually play 80\u2019s new wave, (The Cure, The Smiths, Devo), rock and roll (The Rolling Stones, David Bowie) and a lot of indie (The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, MGMT).<\/p>\n
Being able to help someone or solve a problem. I often enjoy it when there is an issue I can assist with, because I know I will be able to make that customer happy! I really enjoy being able to fix things.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Go into a new brewery with an open mind. Ask questions, feel the atmosphere and don\u2019t be afraid to ask the beertender for a splash or ask questions about a beer. I think a lot of people get afraid to ask simple questions even though they want to learn.<\/p>\n
I would love to have my own business one day! It\u2019s always been a dream of mine.<\/p>\n
I really enjoy local music and beer festivals. I\u2019m also really excited to go to GABF this year! I have a feeling that will be on my list of favorites.<\/p>\n
When I\u2019m not at work I\u2019m usually spending time with my fiance, Mike, and our pets, Juniper, Daffodil and Mikey. I also DJ at local bars, record stores and clubs in my free time. I\u2019m a big vinyl and film nerd.<\/p>\n
Leader, confident, compassionate, kind, caring, selfless, sensitive, old soul\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Katie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/culture_03-658x1024.png\")
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Encinitas Tasting Room Manager<\/p>\n
Flint, Michigan<\/p>\n
I came to San Diego to visit my cousin and instantly fell in love with everything. I moved here three weeks later.<\/p>\n
I had just moved to San Diego. My cousin Morgan was working at Culture at the time, so I started coming in and hanging out. I was looking for a job and kept asking if there was a spot open. I remember trying all the beers and studying them so I could be a better hire. Before moving here I didn\u2019t know much about craft beer, but I instantly fell in love with beer and the beer community, and here I am two-and-a-half years later!<\/p>\n
What I love most about working here is connecting with the community. I\u2019ve never worked at a place that cares so much about the people. The customers and regulars are amazing, and getting to create those relationships with them has made this the best job ever! Having been here a couple of years it\u2019s crazy to see the impact we can have on the community and what the community does for us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Honestly\u2026cleaning the bathrooms. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s fun for anyone!<\/p>\n
What I\u2019m most proud of is having helped organize and plan our Encinitas eight-year anniversary weekend this year. Having a three-day event was a lot of work but some of the most fun I\u2019ve had. Getting to give back to our community with great deals and prizes was so cool.<\/p>\n
This company has done so much for me. When I first started, I didn\u2019t know a ton about the industry. They took me in and have helped me grow and learn so much. I couldn\u2019t be more grateful for Culture taking a chance on me, and providing me with new learning opportunities and such a unique, special work environment.<\/p>\n
The Cold IPL! It\u2019s a little hoppy but not too strong. Crisp, refreshing and, in my opinion, the perfect beer.<\/p>\n
Tora! Japanese lager from Fall Brewing is delicious. It\u2019s been my go-to beer latel.! I also love The Pupil from Societe.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll always refer people to Modern Times\u2019 Encinitas spot. They have a rad team, and a great selection of beers and seltzers.<\/p>\n
Ryan Daly is one of my all time regulars. I met him when I first started working and he is always making sure us beertenders are taken care of. He usually comes in after a good surf with good energy and conversation, introducing himself to people and new workers. I\u2019m thankful to have him a part of our Culture community. Another is Mike Sutton. He usually likes to grab a burrito or taco from the Taco Stand across the street and make his way here for our La Cerveza Mexican lager. He is one of the sweetest people I\u2019ve met, and always asks if we want a taco. He is a friend to all. I could sit and chat with him for hours!<\/p>\n
Probably when I messed up putting a keg coupler on. Not only did it spray my face but my entire outfit. I had to call a friend to bring me extra clothes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I\u2019m opening I like to keep it chill with the Charmed Radio station, and then I go to Neil Frances Radio. When doors are closed, Charli xcx helps me get through my cleaning tasks!<\/p>\n
Creating moments with patrons that make them want to come back. Having genuine conversations with them, asking about their recent trips or bringing beers to their table. The little things can go a long way.<\/p>\n
Let us know what beers or styles you like and ask for a rundown of the menu. That\u00a0 way we can lead you in the right direction. I think our team has great knowledge of our beers, so don\u2019t be shy.<\/p>\n
To manage a brewery, hopefully here at Culture one day. I look up to my GM, Larry, in so many ways. He has pushed me to be a better lead for my team and has taught me great management skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I love the Encinitas Street Fair. They have a local biergarten and live music playing. It keeps us busy in the tasting room and it\u2019s so much fun getting to explore all the local beer tents after work!<\/p>\n
I love to dive into a good book. I read a ton of fantasy and dystopian books. It\u2019s so fun to escape into another world. I also love to play pool at my local dive bar, The Shanty. There\u2019s nothing better than me and my gals running the table!<\/p>\n
I\u2019m a positive, enthusiastic person and loyal friend.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Kelly](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/culture_04-691x1024.png\")
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Manhattan Beach General Manager<\/p>\n
Irvine, California<\/p>\n
SDSU\u2026go Aztecs!<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve worked in the service industry in some capacity my whole life. After college, I got a job at a craft beer bar downtown. It was hard to ignore the burgeoning craft beer scene with a new brewery seemingly popping up on every other block. The major shift for me was the sense of community and collaboration shared amongst breweries, which was wildly different from the cutthroat competitive nature of restaurants. I dove in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I worked at Mike Hess Brewing in North Park for six-and-a-half years.<\/p>\n
Cultivating community and forging relationships.<\/p>\n
My least favorite part of my job is occasionally having to be the bad guy.<\/p>\n
Winning Best New Business in Manhattan Beach in 2021 was a thrill, and taking home gold for our Contemporary Gose at the 2024 GABF was unforgettable.<\/p>\n
I love that Culture is independent and family-owned.<\/p>\n
3 Citrus Gose<\/p>\n
Fall\u2019s Plenty for all and Pizza Port\u2019s Ponto session IPA.<\/p>\n
In San Diego, it\u2019s Fall and Pizza Port. In L.A., it\u2019s Monkish Brewing, Common Space Brewery and Los Angeles Ale Works.<\/p>\n
Greg and Patty Lonergan, Steve and Lynn Kleiner, and Kim Cybulski. They\u2019re more than regulars. They\u2019ve become family.<\/p>\n
The other night, Evan Handler (the actor who played Harry from \u201cSex and the City\u201d) was here. It happened to also be our art show opening and it was packed. At one point, he set his beer down, walked outside and was sipping on it from the sidewalk. I approached him quietly, covering my mouth and said \u201cHey, big fan.\u201d He was flattered until I proceeded to ask him kindly to not drink on the sidewalk\u2026ha!<\/p>\n
I like to keep the chill, beachy vibes. Think Poolside, Polo y Pan and Tame Impala.<\/p>\n
I like to surprise and delight. Our business model is counter service, but I\u2019m always circulating the tasting room, talking to guests and offering to grab their next round. It\u2019s a small gesture on my end and they\u2019re always blown away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Come as you are! Be willing to talk to your neighbors and make new friends. It\u2019s all about community and connection over good beer.<\/p>\n
I hope to own and operate my own business one day.<\/p>\n
I love our workout events, book club and singles mixers, basically anything you wouldn\u2019t expect at a brewery is something I\u2019m all about.<\/p>\n
On my days off you can find me adventuring with my dog. I also love live music and will travel to see my favorite artists.<\/p>\n
Creative leader, community builder, brand-and-business grower and dog mom.\u00a0<\/p>\n