A new brewery called Ataraxia Aleworks will arrive in the old Circle 9 Brewing headquarters in Kearny Mesa this Spring. Rebranding and implementing this project at 7292 Opportunity Rd. are Alex Kim and Daren Rudy. Or, as they describe themselves, two “enginepreneurs” — engineers by training, entrepreneurs by necessity.
Where Kim plans to bring his extensive engineering, business start-up, and IT expertise to the table, Rudy carries with him 12 years of brewing experience, with 9 of those being at San-Diego-born Ballast Point Brewing Company. On the Ataraxia Aleworks menu, guests can expect craft beer infused with a healthy balance of natural minerals.
“What Daren is incredibly passionate about is the focus on water quality,” Kim told What Now San Diego. “With other beers, you get that depleted hangover feeling the next day. So, instead of stripping your body of minerals, we’ll actually be giving your body the minerals it needs. With our beers, the hangovers are not going to be as drastic, and that also improves the quality and taste of the beer.”
Rudy and Kim plan to implement this strategy by using a reverse osmosis system to purify the water, then incorporate the right balance of minerals to work within the beer’s specific flavor profile. While Ataraxia Aleworks does not plan on selling food, they will feature food trucks outside. Inside the building, customers can expect what Kim describes as “a zen environment.”
“We want to make sure that as people come by, they’re not only staying for the beer but also the environment as well,” Kim said. “We want people to feel low-stress, easy-going, and we’ll be open for all family members — not just those drinking beer.”
Hence, the name: Ataraxia comes from ataraxy, meaning a state of serene calmness.
“I think that our tranquil environment will attract customers right off the bat,” Kim said.
The two-person team plans on keeping it that way. Kim told What Now San Diego that they intend on keeping the staff small, with the only beertenders being the enginepreneurs themselves.
“Instead of having lots of employees, customers will be interfacing with the owners directly,” Kim said. “It will be a really friendly and welcoming space. We couldn’t be more excited.”
In addition to mineral-infused craft beer, Ataraxia Aleworks also plans to develop a range of hard seltzers, as well as non-alcoholic beverages like home-brewed root beer. Rudy and Kim plan to open the business this coming March or April.
