USA, CA: Brass Bear Brewing focusing on all things local in Santa Barbara

Lindsay Anderson wanted to start a beer, wine and food business focusing on all things local — something she knows a bit about as a Santa Barbara native, Noozhawk reported on March 25.

She moved from New York back to her hometown a year ago with her husband, Seth. She had worked in marketing and he in finance.

With their powers combined, the couple opened Brass Bear Brewing in the Funk Zone a month ago at 28 Anacapa St. #E, in the back of a building fronted (and owned) by Kunin Wines.

The Andersons serve an ever-revolving list of craft beer, wine, champagne and cider alongside a tasty menu of charcuterie, potato cakes, salads, grilled sandwiches and other locally sourced fare.

Brass Bear, which also caters and hosts special events, collaborates with Santa Barbara’s Pure Order Brewing.

Goleta’s M.Special Brewery and Rincon Brewery in Carpinteria are also on draft, not to mention some of Brass Bear’s own brews.

“Beer is our passion,” Lindsay Anderson said, noting the couple has been home brewing since 2009. “Everything is local. We thought the Funk Zone needed more food, too.”

They worked to renovate the space for a year, transforming the former hair salon and glass-blowing studio into a local’s haven for those in their 20s and early 30s (like the Andersons) looking for friendly fun or a date night spot.

Brass Bear Brewing, which is open every day except Tuesdays, plans to launch $65 food-pairing (four-course) classes with rotating experts and movie projector nights in its back parking lot.

The business name comes from an encounter the pair had with a family of black bears at sunset while camping — a story that fortunately had a happy ending.

25 March, 2016