ManyFriends becomes Saratoga Village’s first brewery, tasting room
Anticipation has been brewing since word hit the street that Ted Oliverio was planning a microbrewery and tasting room in the Saratoga Village. Business is hopping now that Oliverio’s ManyFriends Brewery is open on Big Basin Way.
Oliverio, a former Silicon Valley software development manager who worked for the big companies, came to brewing by way of his love of experimentation — and beer. Seven years ago, he began practice brewing as a hobbyist in his barn.
“Did you know that breweries are not allowed in houses, but they are allowed in detached buildings?” he said. “It turns out that learning to make beer is not that hard. It’s like baking bread; just experiment.”
Oliverio wants his taproom to be a place where everybody knows your name.
“After watching my first episode of the show ‘Cheers,’ I thought, ‘I want to be Sam Malone,” he said. “That’s my goal: To host a friendly, welcoming place that becomes an integral part of the neighborhood. Hence the name ManyFriends. Beer is a common thread that brings people together of all backgrounds and walks of life and we welcome everyone through our doors.”
By creating a community gathering spot, Oliverio hopes to get people active in the community.
“Ideally in meeting, people can kick around ideas as to what a group of many friends could do to make our community just a little bit nicer,” he said. “A trash pickup, a beach cleanup day, working at Second Harvest — there are a thousand things we could do.”
Oliverio said he’s not planning to expand on his concept anytime soon.
“I’m doing exactly what I want to do in my retirement: make beer, pour beer and have a good time,” he said. “I am happy to stay small and focused.”
That makes ManyFriends a good fit for the Saratoga Village.
“Looking for a location, we loved everything about Saratoga,” Oliverio said. “We were fortunate to find our perfect spot, smack in the middle of the village. People have supported us from the beginning. The city, the chamber (of commerce), our village neighbors — they’ve all been awesome.
“There seems to have been a buzz around town. Many people stopped by as we were working, asking when we would open.”
Oliverio wants customers to understand that ManyFriends Brewery is “a beer factory and tasting room. It’s a microbrewery that produces smallbatch, premium craft beer on site, with brewing operations easily viewed from the tasting area.”
While he doesn’t pour beers from other breweries in his taproom, he does supply his brews to village restaurants like Sipan Peruvian Restaurant and Hachi Ju Hach Sushi.
With 16 taps available, Oliverio has room to experiment.
He plan to release specialty beers like a Belgian dubbel around the holidays. He plans to make other seasonal beers, but don’t look for something like pumpkin cheesecake. Even his favorite brew, Pretty Purple Porter, isn’t purple.
“But it’s a fun addition,” he said.
ManyFriends offers growlers and canned beer to take out. Food is currently limited to bar snacks such as pretzels and peanuts. Hot appetizers are planned.
Event planners already are asking to hold small gatherings at ManyFriends. To expand his occupancy, Oliverio has applied to add a parklet.
Customers are encouraged to write comments on the wall, and they have.
“Lucky Saratoga, amazing beer, super cool owner,” Brad and Kelly Lear wrote, while Rod and Rachel called ManyFriends a “thoughtful, homey addition to Saratoga Village” and Jason and Corrina wrote that it’s “worth the drive from San Francisco.”
ManyFriends Brewery is at 14482 Big Basin Way; manyfriendsbrewingcompany.com.