Craft Brewery Modern Times Opens Vegan Lounge

Popular craft beer brewery Modern Times will open a vegan lounge this summer in the Encinitas neighborhood of San Diego. The Far West Lounge will serve a menu similar to The Dankness Dojo—a restaurant the brewery’s vegan founder Jacob McKean opened in downtown Los Angeles last month that features a plant-based version of bone marrow made with mushrooms, parsnips, and confit garlic; asada braised seitan tacos; a double-patty burger featuring the Beyond Burger; and vegan desserts. The lounge was initially planned as a smaller tasting room, but McKean expanded the concept after ascertaining demand for vegan food from the surrounding community. “When we first signed our lease on this location, we didn’t have a single operating kitchen,” McKean told Eater. “Now we have two, with several more in planning, and the process of developing the menu and building the restaurant side of our business has been incredible.” Modern Times is currently in the process of expanding its existing tasting room locations in San Diego and Portland and adding plant-based menus to accompany its vegan beers.