Page 9 - Vallejo_Chamber_of_Commerce_Magazine_Summer_2018

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Craft B everages

T h e N e w D e s ti n a ti o n

By James Quinn

“Small batch/craft” breweries and distilleries “producing unique craft beverages” have been on the rise for years
in America. Names like Anheuser-Busch and Jack Daniels still dominate the market, but even the big names are
thinking small these days. As with wine, many beer and alcohol drinkers are looking for unique flavors and wanting
quality over quantity; and they are not shying away from the higher costs. For those in Vallejo looking to visit a
small batch brewery or distillery, that meant a long drive. Thankfully, times are changing and the craft beverage
scene is on the rise in Vallejo. We are becoming the destination as opposed to a waypoint on the journey. Two
craft breweries have opened in the past few years: Mare Island Brewery and Napa Smith Brewery and now Savage
& Cooke—An American Distillery (opening in June on Mare Island) adds to our growing list. Each create new and
exciting craft beverages and they are helping to promote the City of Vallejo as a new hot spot to visit in the Bay Area.
F irst up is Mare Island Brewing Co. (Coal such as from Moschetti, Inc. in

Shed Brewery), as its co-founders, Kent
Vallejo. Historical tours would
start, hopefully utilizing a water
Fortner and Ryan Gibbons, have been key
players in taking action on their vision of
the “Wet Mile”: about a mile stretch along the Mare Island taxi service on Mare Island’s
waterfront to experience the
waterfront from Mare Island Brewery (851 Waterfront Ave) Carquinez Strait. The island will
to Savage & Cooke Distillery (1097 Nimitz Avenue).

This stretch will offer a tasting experience that will attract
more than only craft beverage seekers to Mare Island.
The island will eventually have bakeries, restaurants,
children entertainment places, and more. Cafes will also
likely open, hopefully with local independent coffee roasts

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