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grow to be a fun tourist destination Cooke’s start in 2016. In but the fun part is when you get to make interesting things,
for all ages with mostly independent fact, Lennar Mare Island when you get to experiment—that’s the craft beer part” said
companies. “What I’m trying to make has been behind helping Servick. Be sure to check out their taproom, open from noon
sure is that the City is open and friendly the former Mare Island to 10 p.m., and their website for additional information as well
to guys like me who have an idea, the Naval Shipyard transform as a list of ongoing events at www.napasmithbrewery.com.

passion behind it, and can absolutely “into a vibrant mixed-use Follow them on Instagram at napasmithbrewery.
pull it off,” Fortner said, “but may have community, including a
to feel their way on what’s going on.” town center, historic core, That is the tour, but it does not stop there! Remember
waterfront promenade with that Vallejo and Mare Island have so much opportunity,
The independent spirit is strong with retail and entertainment and and we are a part of that positive difference for the
Mare Island Brewery, and they have done urban residential design” “new” Vallejo and Mare Island by taking action.
quite well with their taproom in the Ferry (discovermareisland.com).
Building (289 Mare Island Way) since Be sure to like each on Facebook and Instagram to follow for
it opened in 2014. At the taproom, you The Savage & Cooke updates on their hours of operation and images. For additional
can enjoy a great meal (I recommend Distillery actually grows their information on Mare Island Brewing Co., visit their website at
their chicken sandwich) and craft beer own rye grain. They have a rye whiskey www.mareislandbrewingco.com; for additional information
while enjoying a beautiful waterfront view. T he addition of Savage & that is yet to be named but soon to be on Savage & Cooke Distillery, visit their website at www.
Fortner let me know that their kitchen is Cooke gives Vallejo its released. Rye yields a spicier and feisty savageandcooke.com; for additional information on Napa Smith
actually expanding, which is exciting. own distillery. Owner, Dave whiskey. Corn yields a sweeter taste. Wheat Brewery, visit their website at www.napasmithbrewery.com.
Phinney, plans to have
though yields a more neutral flavor. They
The taproom has done so well that the it open in June of this year, by the time currently have four products out: The nights, listen to local bands on event nights, eat from the food
truck(s) outside, and of course drink their delicious craft beers.
owners needed to expand to meet the of publication. Before even opening, the Burning Chair Bourbon (sweeter tasting
demand—and that is just what they did. distillery already promoted lots of tourism because of the corn, which comes from Napa Smith happily moved to Vallejo from Napa in 2017 (their
Last year, in 2017, they expanded to the to Vallejo at its luncheon unveiling that I Kentucky), Second Glance American one-year anniversary was on May 20th!), and they have found
coal sheds on Mare Island to their “new attended on Saturday, May 5. Guests were Whiskey (more aggressive tasting and Vallejo to be a very positive and welcoming community. They
15-barrell brewery,” to do all their brewing able to get to know their great spirits while great in cocktails), Ayate Reposado, and are active in the community and focused on keeping a great
there (mareislandbrewingco.com). The getting to know other people in the process. Ayate Añejo. You can read all about them relationship with the City and its residents. “We make it a point of
brewery is at Coal Shed #151 (Building and get creative cocktail recipes on their being a part of community engagements as much as possible.
#151) and gives tours by appointment. According to General Manager Lauren website at www.savageandcooke.com. We do a ton of work with the Vallejo Chamber and a lot of work
Blanchard, the support on the island with Visit Vallejo,” General Manager Noelle Roldan said. “Any
Their most popular beers are Saginaw (Mare Island Brewing and Vino Godfather events they have, we are giving them beer or going and pouring.”
Golden Ale, Hydrualic Sandwich IPA, Winery) and Vallejo has been great about astly, but certainly not
Coal Shed Stout, and General Order #99; their buildings and development process. L least, Napa Smith Brewery Moreover, instead of Napa Smith acting as competition to
a full list of their brews can be viewed “The distillery complex encompasses two is located slightly off the Mare Island Brewing or vice-versa, the craft beverage scene all
on their website. Each beer is uniquely separate buildings, connected by a bridge island on 101 Yolano Drive support each other, creating this great synergy—all tied to the
named with a story. For example, Coal (Building #45 is the tasting room on the (Just south of Hwy 37, where it crosses goal of helping independent businesses and Vallejo’s growth.
Shed Stout refers to the coal sheds that left and Building #65 is the workhorse Hwy 29/Sonoma Blvd). Napa Smith As Roldan put it, “Beer tourism creates more beer tourism.”
Mare Island used to transport and store building on the right). All the numbers were Brewery is an amazing craft brewery
coal; and it is appropriately named, as assigned by the Navy.” Blanchard told that I recently discovered, and I am so At Napa Smith’s taproom, I talked with Roldan and Brewmaster
it is their darkest beer. When I met with me that they are happy to be at a place glad I did, as it’s a great destination to Stein Servick. Servick told me that they are all about making
cofounder Fortner, he told me about a with such a “rich and colorful history.” watch the Warriors game, play darts or great craft beer and inventing new beer to keep things new
new bottle coming out for their Yardbird shuffle board, join in on their karaoke and exciting. “We have those beers that keep the lights on,
members. “We have a new beer coming Lennar Mare Island has played a major nights, play Giant Jenga on their game
out, to our Yardbird Club, called Murphy role with development since Savage &
the Pig,” said Fortner. In short, Murphy
the Pig is named after Admiral Farragut’s
pig that he saved from the British wanting
to eat for dinner when he was only 12.

Join Mare Island Brewing’s Yardbird
membership club for exclusive, one-of-a-
kind beers and seasonal beers as well as
invites to great events. You can either sign
up easily online or at the taproom. Read
about Mare Island Brewing, their beers (and
their story), and their Yardbird Club on their
website at www.mareislandbrewingco.com.

8 Summer www.vallejochamber.com