Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/76623
What's Dutch-owned heritage brew Heineken doing in an Irish pub in San Diego's Pacific Beach neighborhood? Making waves! At Brewley's Pint, one of ten popular eating and drinking establishments in the Verant Group portfolio, Heineken on draught is a staple, says General Manager Dylan Redmond, an East Coast native (by way of Northern California) who has lived in San Diego for nearly a decade and worked behind several of the parent company's bars. Redmond is quick to point out that one reason for Heineken's on-premise success at Brewley's is the active, hands-on approach the brand has adopted in working with bars and bartenders. "The Heineken people are very easy to work with," notes the 32-year-old, who credits his local Heineken rep, Pete Sylvester, and his team with helping him make Brewley's the major draw it is for locals and visitors alike. The brand not only provided on-site staff training, but also furnished Brewley's with Heineken-branded logo glassware and the signature blade that bartenders use to scrape the foam from Heineken draught for a perfect pour. Redmond continues, "They pro- vided Heineken chalkboards for my specials list—and they even sent in a chalk expert to design it." When Redmond wanted to start a Wednesday trivia night to draw mid-week clientele, Heineken happily chipped in with a "Keep the Pint" program: Patrons who order a pint of Heineken for $6 can take home the branded beer glass. For calorie-conscious quaf- fers, Brewley's also sells Heineken Light in bottles. With high foot-traffic in this beach-accessible San Diego district, Brewley's Pint is more than just an Irish bar, and as far as Redmond is concerned, Heineken is here to stay: "It's been a great relationship!" Heineken On-Premise [SI IM IM GM Dylan Redmond behind the bar at Brewley's Pint in San Diego. Heineken provided not only the branded logo glassware but also the signature blade for creating a perfect pour. august 2012 / the tasting panel / 51