It took a few years to make it work, but a building from the 19th century made of rock seemed the perfect spot for the gothic look for Stone Brewing to set up shop for its 12th facility in the world. Known for being a wine region, Stone is planning on opening a taproom at a historic Napa, California building called the Borreo Building.
By 2017 it will be called Stone’s newest taproom and brewery. The outpost of the 20-year-old Escondido, California brewery, will include a pilot brewing system, a dining experience, growler fills and brewery merchandise.
“I’m a huge Napa fan,” said Stone CEO and co-founder Greg Koch. “I’ve been visiting for more than 20 years and I first toured through the Borreo Building nearly five years ago. We’ve tried a few times to make something happen there, and are thrilled to finally see it come to fruition.”
The 10,000-square-foot building in the downtown Napa area, named for the Borreo family that formerly owned the stone structure, is an Italianate Renaissance design made from native-cut stone. It was completed in 1877 and has been vacant since 2001. Stone plans to revitalize it by opening a 10-barrel brewhouse, which will make flagship brews along with using local ingredients to craft other beers that will only be available at the Napa facility.
“[It’s] is the perfect space for us to put down our roots in Napa,” Koch said. “Not only is it literally made of stone, it’s one of downtown’s most iconic links to the 19th century and a landmark that’s been vacant for the past 15 years. We recognize the high quality of wine that comes from the region and the appreciation that Napa Valley locals and visitors have for fresh, well-crafted drink. We are elated to become a contributing part of such an artisanal town.”
Located east of Petaluma’s Lagunitas and southeast of Santa Rosa’s Russian River, Stone will be the biggest name brand in the area once opened. Napa Smith Brewing, owned by Nashville’s R.S. Lipman Company, opened in 2008 as the first beer production facility in Napa.
The Napa taproom will also have a specialized, locally-grown menu that features small-farm ingredients with a unique take on comfort food. As strong advocates for environmental responsibility and high-quality food, Stone will purchase local and small-farm organic produce from the Napa region.
This is the third project underway this year for Stone. The Napa facility joins work being done in Berlin, Germany, which plans to open this summer, while a Richmond, Virginia 250-bbl production facility is set to open in July.
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