NEW CBC MANAGER LOVES TO ENTERTAIN
AND EDUCATE ALONG THE WAY
Find out what's happening in Coronadofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Johnny O” is his nickname, and while he preaches better understanding of the brewing process and old school customer service, he is not above jumping up on the bar and entertaining his audience with a bit of creative storytelling.
The Coronado Brewing Company has hired John Oliphant to their Coronado facility as restaurant manager. Along the way, Oliphant hopes to bring a greater awareness of the brewing process to a wider audience.
Find out what's happening in Coronadofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“My goals here are to bring beer knowledge to the staff,” said Oliphant. “While we have terrific brewers here, they don’t have time to share their wisdom with the restaurant staff – the people dealing with the public on a daily basis.
“My theory is simple: The more knowledge our people have, the more beer they are going to sell. For example what are the four main ingredients of beer? We’ll start with that, and move through the process from start to finish. In the end, a greater understanding of what we do, sells more product, and gives our visitors a better customer experience.”
Oliphant has been involved in the brewing industry for more than 20 years. He began in Boulder, CO with Walnut Brewery, which is part of the Rock Bottom chain. Typical in the restaurant business, he started humbly bussing tables. Then he moved up to waiting tables, bartending, and then managing. The entire process has given him a wonderfully healthy perspective on all aspects of the business.
A long-time home brewer, Oliphant was quick to gravitate to any and all opportunities to learn that side of the trade. He participated in an 18-month apprenticeship program that added to his knowledge of the brewing industry.
After that he worked in Dallas, TX for two years before returning to the Rock Bottom chain, this time in Fresno, Most recently he worked for Rock Bottom in La Jolla, where he began to build a core of regulars. While there, he became known as “Johnny O.”
When he would tap a new beer, Johnny developed the tradition of jumping up on the bar, and telling a story about the beer. “It was almost always based on fact, but mostly made up just to make it fun,” he said. “Audience participation is mandatory.”
He got the stage name of “Johnny O” from those adventures, and it remains his moniker. His stories always contain a dramatic blend of history and the brewing process. Sometimes the impromptu audience will boo him when they don’t like the direction of a story. Mostly they cheer. And in the process, he builds a tremendous following of clientele, while managing to share a greater awareness of the brewing process along the way.
“I haven’t jumped up on the bar at CBC yet,” said Johnny, “but I expects it to happen soon. It has to be the right time, and I look forward to introducing the good people of Coronado to my stories.”
Oliphant is a marvelous storyteller, with a flair for the dramatic. “Did you know Cleopatra was the first brewmaster?” He’s not shy, and seems to have no shortage of stories to share.
Business continues to grow at CBC. In beer and merchandise alone they are up 20% from last year. The popular restaurant still packs in customers for lunch and dinner on a daily basis.
After Memorial Day Weekend, CBC will return to “Kids Eat Free Tuesdays.” The popular tradition serves to reinforce the family values of the Coronado Brewing Company, and the Chapman family who created the CBC concept.
A kitchen expansion is planned for the future, and new tap lines are in the process of being added. Currently CBC has 14 tap lines, and they will be adding ten more, all designed to serve CBC brews.
Today, CBC brews are sold in eight states and four countries. The 22,000-square-foot Knoxville production facility/tasting room has allowed the 17-year-old company to reach a much larger audience.
The Coronado Brewing Company is located at 170 Orange Avenue, in Coronado. The CBC Knoxville tasting room is located at 1205 Knoxville Street, in San Diego. For more information visit their website and blog at www.coronadobrewingcompany.com.
This release prepared by Joe Ditler and Part-Time PR, serving all of Coronado's public relations needs. For more information write or call josephditler@san.rr.com or (619) 435-0767.
