USA, CA: Hop Forged Brewing Company to become Hanford’s first ever brewery

Downtown Hanford is the new home to Hop Forged Brewing Company. The brewery is the first ever to open up in Hanford and has been in the works for several years, the Hanford Sentinel reported on April 20.

Owners Brian Alves and AJ Soares celebrated their Grand Opening on April 20.

Alves and Soares have been dreaming up Hop Forged Brewing Company for eight years, starting in their garage.

“We weren’t big drinkers at the time, but we loved the science and art behind it,” Alves said, adding they fell in love with the challenge of creating the perfect beer.

Alves and Soares talked about having their own brewery from the beginning and they have finally seen that dream become a reality.

Alves’ father, Frank Alves, purchased the property at 106 W. Seventh Street about a year ago. The property was built in the early 1800s and had been vacant for nearly 20 years.

Family and friends have worked hard to get the brewery ready for the opening day.

Hop Forged Brewing Company started with six craft beers on tap, including favorites: Tropical IPA, Hazelnut Brown Ale and Blonde Ale.

Their goal for the end of the year is to have 12 options on tap and eventually have up to 30 beers on tap.

The brewery has bar seating, table-top seating and roll up glass doors that lead out to their patio for outdoor seating.

Microbreweries are popping up across America and have played a vital role in downtown revitalization.

“We believe Hop Forged Brewing Co will be an asset and an anchor business in our community,” said Michelle Brown, executive director of Main Street Hanford. “The restoration and improvements that they have made to their property are incredible. We are grateful for their investment in downtown Hanford.”

Brown has been working with Hop Forged Brewing Company for events such as Everybody’s Irish in downtown Hanford, where they have showcased their beers two years in a row.

“These guys are a blast to work with and I have no doubt they will be successful here,” she said.

22 April, 2019