NEW BEERS, BREWERIES IN 2018
Last year saw a slight slowdown in the number of new breweries opening, along with a few high-profile ones closing, including Oakland’s Pacific Coast Brewing Co., an early brewpub pioneer when it opened in 1988.
Despite that slowing, the new year still looks rosy for beer lovers. California reached the historic benchmark of 900 breweries open in the state, the most in its history. Today, nine out of 10 Californians live within 10 miles of a brewery.
So what does that mean for beer lovers in the new year? There’s a lot to explore, starting with the official reopening of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers planned for Jan. 27. The Hunters Point Brewery closed nine months ago but was saved and remodeled by Ces Butner of Hunters Point Brewery LLC. Bottle production will resume, too, so you’ll be able to find all your favorites in addition to one new beer, Holdout Stout.
Another new brewery, South Bay Brew Co., or SoBA, which is currently contract brewing in San Jose, plans to build its own facility in the Los Gatos-Campbell area.
Its first beer, West Coast Saison, a hoppy saison reminiscent of a Belgian IPA, is now widely available throughout the South Bay.
If you want to expand your brewery visiting, then consider the Tri-Valley Craft Beer Trail in and around Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin and Danville, which until the end of January is offering Spread Cheer With Beer. Visit five of the 22 breweries and beer destinations along the TriValley Beer Trail and a $20 donation will be made to Sunflower Hill, a local nonprofit for individuals with special needs. Details can be found on the beer trail’s website.
21st Amendment Brewery is launching a new series of beers called Tales from the Kettle, and the first release is Not Your Cup of Tea, a Scottish-style ale brewed with black tea. Each new beer in the series will come from an employee homebrew competition judged by members of the San Francisco Brewers Guild. The winning team for this beer included 21st Amendment’s graphic designer, a server at its pub, its Chicago sales rep and one of its maintenance technicians. It is everywhere in six-packs and kegs.
If you’re a UC Davis Aggies fan then you’ll be pleased that Sudwerk Brewing is releasing a new beer for the school and the Davis market. Gunrock Lager is named for Gun Rock, a thoroughbred racehorse, and the official mascot of the Aggies. Pick it up at the Sudwerk Dock Store or at Aggie Stadium, with proceeds supporting UC Davis athletics. It also will be available at select area restaurants.
Last year, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. discontinued its Black Imperial IPA, Wookey Jack, but are returning with a replacement, the new Black IPA Wookus. It’s the fourth release in its Leo v. Ursus Chronology and is available in four-packs of 16-ounce cans. It’s brewed with Amarillo and Citra hops, which brewmaster Matt Brynildson describes as “the gnarliest hops we could get our hands on at the time.”
In March, I reported on a new local maltster, Admiral Maltings, founded in Alameda by several Bay Area brewers. One of the first beers using its malt was just released by Marin Brewing Co., and brewer Arne Johnson characterizes it as a super saison. Its name is Admiral Loral Saison, though it’s been nicknamed Navy Strength Saison due to its 8.4 percent alcohol by volume, a little on the high side for your average saison.
Whichever new beer or brewery you enjoy in 2018, from me to you, have a hoppy new beer.