Coronado Brewing has shut its specialty brewing line, Tusk and Grain, just as I was starting to see its beers around town. I first read the rumors on Twitter, and yesterday Brandon Hernandez confirmed the rumors on his
San Diego Reader blog. Hernandez said Coronado's decision was based on "a series of internal happenings," whatever the heck that ominous, open-ended phase entails.
Maybe the Tusk and Grain line just wasn't that special. I'd seen a Tusk and Grain IPA, ESB and stout, which don't seem that different from Coronado's regular ale-centric beers. A specialty line needs to differentiate itself from regular offerings by more than just a name.
I tried the Tusk and Grain ESB and liked it (pictured at right). It was solid and true to style, with prominent malts and the mineral taste you expect from a good English ESB. I want to try the IPA, Loutish Madras, before it goes away.
Separately, if you haven't made it to Coronado's new tasting room in Bay Park, it is well worth a visit. It is huge and well laid out, with a wide range of Coronado beers on tap. Full pints are available, too.
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