PACIFIC GROVE — Bringing effervescence to Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, California Seltzer Co. began filling the space at 631 Ocean View Blvd. to become California’s first seltzery.
Veronika Camp, one of the company’s founders, said that during the process of creating the hard seltzer for which the company is known, the topic of opening seltzer was brought up as a joke, but gained momentum the more the idea was broached. .
“There are a small number (of seltzeries) in the US, … one in Oregon, one in Colorado and one in North Carolina. But California didn’t have one,” Kemp said.
After researching possible locations around the state, including Sacramento and Napa, the Pacific Grove location came out on top. The site is located in the essence of the elbow of Ocean View Boulevard directly opposite Lovers Point.
“I’ve traveled here before and had the best memories of Lovers Point,” Camp said. “We saw the place and wanted to try to do it in this place.”
Camp and her two other co-founders, Joseph Ehlers and Charlie Lippert, are the principals behind the seltzer business venture. Kamp is head of marketing and public relations, Ehlers is the product brewer and Lippert is head of operations. Ehlers and Lippert also co-founded Five Window Beer Co. from Lodi, which is also part of the fare offered in the pub and restaurant.
Seltzer is made from fermented cane sugar, a malt base and the addition of various flavors to create unique profiles, such as hibiscus-lime, pineapple-lemon and berries, making seltzer as refreshing as possible without being overly sweet, Kemp explained. Hard seltzer refers to the alcohol content, which is 4.5 percent by volume, similar to that found in light beer, but hard seltzer is under 100 calories, under 2 grams of sugar, and gluten-free.
In the past few years, as seltzers have gained popularity, most, including California seltzers, are now sold in cans. Camp said her company’s product is marketed to a broad mass of people over 21, while introducing an alcohol-free version for those who don’t drink.
“We have a pineapple and lemon flavored non-alcoholic sparkling water,” she said.
California Seltzer Co.’s product. is produced in Lodi, in San Joaquin County, in the heart of the Central Valley. Kemp said the business was successful even before he came to the Central Coast. It’s the only craft seltzer in the San Joaquin Valley, spread over about 200 accounts.
“We distribute it ourselves, which is a job in itself, and we have one outside seller,” Camp said. “I’d say we’ve made our dreams a reality with the support of the Central Valley and now the communities of Monterey County.”
California Seltzer Co. in Lovers Point opened May 14 in a space that had been out of business for more than a decade. The building is divided into five areas and the new Selter Bar and Restaurant will occupy the majority of it with 3,524 square feet of interior space and a 972 square foot patio that offers views of Lovers Point and the ocean.
“It’s been a big success, especially since we haven’t done the promotion yet,” Kemp said.
The focus right now is to finish construction on some parts of the building while recruiting and training staff before the Seltzer Company opens the floodgates and sees more customers, from locals to visitors, pour in.
Kemp said the restroom and restaurant are gearing up for their first Classic Car Week in just days. She said it’s something she’s never experienced, but she’s constantly told to be ready, so she plans to make sure she has enough seltzer and extra food.
California Seltzer Co. is planning a ribbon cutting for Sept. 16 and a grand opening celebration the following day.
Camp said it’s gratifying to see months of hard work come to fruition and feels a sense of appreciation for something the partners have worked so hard to achieve.
She hopes that all the effort she, Ehlers and Lippert have put into California’s first shelter in Pacific Grove will translate into people coming to create their own memories and stories about Lovers Point, just as she did from her travels here years ago.
California Seltzer Co. at Lovers Point Taproom and Restaurant offers wood-fired pizza, small-batch seltzer, craft beer and more. Visit californiaseltzerco.com/lovers-point For more information.
