USA, CA: Institution Ale Co. opens its doors in Camarillo

After 17 months of blueprints, digging and construction, Institution Ale Co. in Camarillo unveiled its new, five-times-larger brewery, taproom and kitchen on the first day of summer — one of the hottest days in recent memory, Ventura County Star reported on June 23.

Aside from being roughly two seasons later than originally hoped for, the debut could not have come at a better time. Wave after wave of craft-beer fans stopped by the brewery on June 20 for a cold one. Or two.

"It was a little crazy. Some people said they called in sick at work so they could come here instead," said Shaun Smith, co-owner of the brewery with brother and head brewer Ryan Smith and their father, Roger Smith.

Named for the Camarillo State Hospital that once occupied what is now the CSU Channel Islands campus, Institution's original brewery and taproom opened in a 2,800-square-foot industrial-park space on Calle San Pablo in September 2013.

"We went to the city three days later to talk about needing to move to a larger space," said Roger Smith.

They found that space two miles and a freeway overpass away, in a stand-alone former machine shop that counts the Camarillo Ranch House as a neighbor.

At 14,000 square feet, the new space includes a 15-barrel brewhouse, a row of 22 taps and a kitchen that produces from-scratch pizzas and soft pretzels. The latter replace the bowls of free snack pretzels that were served at the old place.

"We aren't known for our food — yet," said Institution bartender turned kitchen manager Pat Gallagher. "Our goal is to offer items that pair well with our beers."

Sixteen beers were on tap on opening day. They ranged from familiar brews like Clarity, a dry-hopped Golden Ale ($2 taster, $2.75 half pint, $4.50 pint, and $7 or $13 for growler refills, depending on size) to Coffee Cake, an American Strong Ale made in collaboration with Topa Topa Brewing Co. of Ventura ($3.50 taster, $6 for a 10-ounce tulip; no growler fills).

Also on tap are otherwise unnamed brews like Batch 001, described as a Strong Pale Ale with elements of "orange and pine," and Batch 002 with Coffee, an Imperial Stout made with an assist from Beacon Coffee Co. of Ventura.

"Batch" beers are experimental brews that are available only in the taproom, where customer demand determines whether they return under a permanent name, said Shaun Smith.

Helping with the expansion is brewer Todd Slater, who worked at Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido and El Segundo Brewing Co. in El Segundo before joining the Institution team in January. He recently was voted president of the newly launched Ventura County Brewers Guild.

Institution has an agreement with Pacific Beverage Co. to distribute its beers in Ventura County as production ramps up, Smith said. It will self distribute in Los Angeles County. Future projects will include producing beers in bottles and/or cans.

For now, the focus is on the expanded brewery and taproom.

27 June, 2016