Today we’d like to introduce you to Vic Chouchanian.
Hi Vic, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started brewing at 21 years old from a “Brewing for Dummies” book. The first beer was not good, but it was definitely a start of a passion. That first beer was a 1 gallon batch and over the years the amount of beer increased to 5 gallons, then 15 gallons….
One day my wife and I were trying to figure out the next steps in our lives, so I took inventory of my skills, and brewing beer was on that list.
So with the help of my brother, we decided to open San Fernando Brewing Company.
We did a lot of the manual labor of the build-out ourselves, with the help of many friends and skilled people.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been smooth. It took us a year to find a location, another year to build out. Our first brewing system failed miserably and was not engineered properly. One of the main tanks literally melted after the first brew.
Just as we started getting our feet off the ground, Covid hit and basically wiped out all the progress we had made the previous five years.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a family-owned craft brewery in the heart of San Fernando known for making solid craft beers and a taproom that is a home away from home. We offer a multitude of varieties from stouts and lagers to a grapefruit IPA and cucumber pale ale.
We have received over 14 internationally renowned awards for our beer, however the awards don’t capture the true success of our brand. The cornerstone of the brewery are the people that create the atmosphere of the brewery. From our wonderful brewers who put their heart and soul into each batch to the tap room staff that greet each customer as they enter.
Our beers can be found through the state in various establishments and in our tasting room in San Fernando.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Before starting this venture, we visited another established brewery and sat down with the owner. He was kind enough to share his insights with us. We were told about the joys and pitfalls of owning a brewery and his advice was spot on.
Ten years ago when we were building out, we banded together with other new breweries. We shared ideas and resources to help each other get started. Those bonds continue today.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.sanfernandobrewingcompany.com/
- Instagram: Sanfernandobrewingco
- Facebook: San Fernando Brewing Company
