USA, CA: Grass Valley Brewing Company’s conditional use permit approved by Planning Commission

There's a lot brewing in Grass Valley.

Details emerged last month of plans for a new craft brewery in The Union's old printing location at 464 Sutton Way, The Union of Grass Valley reported.

On March 21, the Grass Valley Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for another craft brewery, Grass Valley Brewing Company, in historic downtown. Co-owners Tom Rogers, a Sacramento Fire Department captain, and Chad Wingo, The Union's business development manager, said they hope to have the brewery open at 141-143 East Main Street — the former site of Tripp's Auto Body — by the end of the year.

Chris DeSena, the north division chief for Cal Fire, and 49er Coin Laundry owner Matt Kinney are also investors.

Heidi Wingo, Chad's wife, is also involved.

"Opening a brewery or a pub has been a goal of hers for the past 10 years," Wingo said. "Heidi is braver than me."

Plans for the 7,600 square-foot building include a 1,700 square-foot taproom, a 5,600 square-foot brewery and storage area, a kitchen, outdoor patio seating near a roll-up door, and a grain silo featuring the brewery's logo.

While there are no definitive plans, there's hope the brewery will feature live music, at least at some point. There's some available space to build out and create a stage that could host other events, such as art exhibits. The ownership group is also negotiating with a successful local restaurateur to sublease the kitchen for a short-order style of food service.

A master brewer with more than 20 years experience, whom the ownership group wants to remain anonymous until contracts are signed and his current employer is notified, is also on board.

Opening the brewery downtown was a top priority.

"We want to be an anchor for downtown," Wingo said. "We want to be good downtown citizens. The business owners who are aware of this project are super excited about the potential of having something like a brewery, an anchor spot where people can meet and come together."

The face of the building will remain unchanged. Inside the warehouse area, the future site of the brewery, features metal corrugated steel. That, too, will be left alone.

Inside the taproom will be clad with metal and wood.

"It's kind of centered around the mining era and how everything is old and rustic around here," Rogers said. "We're staying with that theme."

"It's going to complement downtown," Wingo said. "It's not going to be something that doesn't make sense."

The ownership group's goal is to be an anchor of downtown in a number of ways.

"I think part of it is product," Wingo said. "There are those places you go that you know you're going to be satisfied. You go there, you're going to enjoy it whether you're having a drink or a meal."

"I can teach you today how to make a batch of beer in a bucket, and it'll be good, it'll be drinkable," Rogers said. "But is it good enough for this community to say, 'Yeah, that's a Grass Valley Brewing Company beer.'

"I'm not afraid to dump 900 gallons of beer down the drain because I messed something up."

However, many businesses have the product quality but never manage to turn that corner. They may have a faithful following and do well enough financially to stay afloat, even thrive, but they never become that go-to hot spot.

"One of the things we do well as a group is we host you," Wingo said. "You are there, you are a guest, and that's what people want. They want an experience when they go somewhere. 'Yes, it's an excellent beer, but I'm getting chatted up by someone who knows what they're talking about, and I get to walk over here and talk to Tom, who's brewing, and he's going to take me through the process.' That's extraordinary."

Both Rogers and Wingo repeated how important it is to be a good steward to the community, to encourage community members to enjoy Frank's Pizza after grabbing a beer or grabbing a beer after watching a performance at The Center for the Arts.

The ownership group also wants to reach out to the large number of local nonprofits so they know there's always a spot for them to hold events.

"Our business model really involves the community being part of the brewery," Rogers said. "We have plans to have certain citizens come in and be part of the research and development of new beers and stuff like that."

The ownership group is open to new investors.

28 March, 2017