Citizen Fox, A Brewery/Incubator, Coming to the Mission

[Google maps]

As suspected back in May, the former 99-cent store at the corner of 18th and Mission is indeed slated to be transformed into a brewery and restaurant. It'll be called Citizen Fox, and it comes courtesy of Deborah Blum, a member of the prolific team behind Beretta, Starbelly, Delarosa, and Lolinda. Blum's got big plans for the space, which will serve as not only as a beer-focused eatery, but also as an incubator and education center for amateur and aspiring brewers.

To that end, she's signed on Master Cicerone Rich Higgins as brewmaster. Higgins is a longtime fixture of the local beer scene, with ample experience consulting on beer for a bevy of local restaurants (including Starbelly, Schroeder's, and Delarosa), plus time spent as president of the San Francisco Brewers Guild and event director for SF Beer Week. Before hanging out his own shingle, he was behind the kettles at Social Kitchen & Brewery in the Sunset.

In addition to handling the brewing operations for Citizen Fox, Higgins will spearhead educational workshops on everything from beer and food pairings to Cicerone exam prep to the wide world of hop varieties. He'll also oversee a brewery apprenticeship program which will offer paid, 10-month internships for homebrewers and others looking to take their craft to the next level. Here's more info on that, with details on how to apply if brewing is your thing.

On the restaurant side, Blum plans to feature casual, California-style fare with a plant-based spin appropriate for herbivores and omnivores alike. There will also be a cocktail component, though there's no word yet on who'll behind it.

The interior renovation of the 2,400-square-foot space should get started soon, with a targeted opening of early November. Stay tuned for more updates as the project gets rolling.

· Why Delarosa Works in the Marina [~ ESF ~]
· Meet Lolinda, Sultry And Spacious On Mission Street [~ ESF ~]
· All Coming Attractions [~ ESF ~]