One of Tin City’s original craft beverage makers closes in Paso Robles

Tin City Cider Co., among the earliest businesses to open in Paso Robles’ Tin City district, closed its tap house on May 24 after nearly a decade, but with some consolation for fans.

The company will continue selling its cider throughout the Central Coast.

Founded by Andrew Jones, Curt Schalchlin and Mikey Giugni, Tin City Cider released its first canned cider in 2014 before opening its tap room in 2016. Over the years, the business became part of the growing identity of Tin City, drawing locals, Cal Poly students, tourists and wine industry workers to the industrial-style district south of downtown Paso Robles.

Though the tap room has closed, Tin City Cider products will continue appearing in select regional stores through Pacific Beverage distribution, including locations in Paso Robles, Templeton and Atascadero.

On one of the business’s final weekends, birthday groups, families and longtime customers filled the crowded tap room and the patio while employees moved steadily between tables and the bar.

“When we first opened, the goal was to create space for the local wine and beer community — a place where you could let your hair down, hang out after work or meet up,” Schalchlin said.

Over time, he said, the atmosphere took on a life of its own.

“Organically, we just started hanging out together,” Schalchlin said.

Schalchlin described Tin City as a different kind of wine-country experience from estate tasting rooms tucked into vineyard hillsides.

“What’s special about it is that, for the most part, it’s a bootstrap business,” he said. “We’re all behind the counter, in the cellar, and it’s something special we offer through this business.”

While expressing admiration for traditional winery estates, Schalchlin said Tin City offered visitors something more informal and accessible.

“What we offer is a backstage pass,” he said. “Working-class people can relate to that.”

Schalchlin credited Neil Collins of Bristol’s Cider House with helping establish a craft cider culture in the region before Tin City Cider opened.

“He and his team did that,” Schalchlin said. “We followed suit of what was already awesome.”

Jadine Gonzalez, who traveled from Bakersfield with friends for a birthday celebration, said the group enjoys visiting Paso Robles and spending time in Tin City.

Wine industry friends and collaborators also filtered through the tap room during its final weekend, including associate winemaker Nick Refice.

Employees Lex Price, Chloe Burleson and Sara McGrady moved steadily through the crowded tap room during one of its final weekends as customers celebrated birthdays, shared drinks and said goodbye to the longtime Tin City business. Artwork by Savannah Reifers featuring Tin City Cider varieties decorated the walls throughout the space.

Schalchlin said the closure will allow him to focus more heavily on Sans Liege Wines, located steps away from Tin City Cider, and The Fableist Wine Company in east Templeton, which has expanded distribution nationally and internationally in recent years. This year marks his 24th wine harvest.

“We’re focusing on our roots,” Schalchlin said. “It’s been an awesome ride, super fun.”

Speaking during one of Tin City Cider’s final Memorial Day weekend gatherings, Schalchlin said the hardest part would be leaving behind not only the regular rhythm of seeing familiar faces each week, but also the people who helped make the tap room what it became.

“It’s dogs, kids, first dates,” Schalchlin said. “Our team’s been amazing. We’ve shared a lot of good times with the friends we’ve made.”

“The biggest thing I’m going to miss is the people, and seeing them week after week,” he said. “I don’t want to think about it too much. I’m just going to soak it into today and tomorrow.”

This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 12:51 PM.