Eel River Brewery celebrates 25 years
In 1995, when Northern California was the mecca of craft brewing, Eel River Brewing Company in Fortuna opened for business. Groundbreaking was held in May of that year and doors opened in December.
Now a favorite hangout for locals and visitors, in the beginning, it wasn’t that way.
“At first, it was a slow start,” said Eel River Brewing Company President and CEO Ted Vivatson. “People weren’t sure what a craft brewery was. Now, I like to say we are an overnight success that took 25 years.”
After developing a passion for brewing beer when he was in the military and stationed in Germany, Vivatson began homebrewing in 1976. In the early 1990s, Vivatson decided he wanted to open a craft brewery in Humboldt County. He was living in Garberville at the time but was convinced to consider Fortuna as a location by thenFortuna City Manager Dale Neiman.
In 1994 Vivatson and wife/ business partner Margaret purchased the property where the old Clay Brown Redwood mill was located and incorporated several remnants of the old mill into the new business.
Five years after opening, Eel River Brewing Company became the first certified brewery in California and the nation. In order to release its first organic beer, organic amber in June 2000, the hops had to come from New Zealand, since according to Vivtason, that was the only place to get organic hops.
He said innovation is the key to Eel River Brewing Company’s success, along with dedicated, long-time employees, and the second generation of family taking over the helm. Both Vivtason’s daughter and son are involved in the business, Matt on the brewing side and Marissa on the sales and marketing side.
Speaking of innovation, Eel River Brewery was one of the first breweries on the West Coast to produce a hard sparkling water beverage. Called Clarity and available in six flavors, Vivtason said, “It took us two years to develop Clarity. It’s different from the others ( hard sparkling waters) because it’s naturally fermented with organic flavors added.”
Clarity hard sparkling water is gluten-free, low carb, and zero sugar.
Vivatson also gave a shout out to local businesses that partner with Eel River Brewery to produce collaboration beers. The most recent product is a single origin mocha stout, incorporating products from Dick Taylor Chocolates and Humboldt Bay Coffee.
While some brewing still takes place at the Fortuna location of the brewpub, the majority of brewing takes place in Scotia. In January 2007, Eel River Brewery and the Pacific Lumber Company reached an agreement to lease a portion of the old Mill A building in Scotia. This location now accounts for about 90% of Eel River Brewing Company’s production.
Over the years, numerous award-winning beers have been produced. The first big win was in 1997 when Ravensbrau Porter won a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival. Eel River Brewing Company has won hundreds of awards, ribbons, medals, and honors from the California State Brewing Competition, Los Angeles County Fair, World Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, Humboldt County Fair, the Australian International Beer Festival and the European Beer Star.
In addition, Eel River Brewing Company was named the 2013 Business of the Year by the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce. And what about the future? Vivatson said, “I am really excited for the next 25 years.”
He said there is discussion of expanding and building out the current Fortuna location on Alamar Way. He said there is planning now underway to develop a direct public offering, where the community could buy shares in the business, to help raise the capital needed to expand and grow. Vivatson said more details should be forthcoming in 2021.