Under construction

That's right, we're under construction now!

When I last wrote a blog update, I was waiting for electrical plan check at the City to complete their review.  Our electrical situation has been a thorn in my side so far, and I imagine it'll be that way for many years to come.  But, through some careful engineering and refinements, we put together a functional craft brewery that fits within our electrical limitations.

In the last couple months, I've had many accomplishments:

• Plan approval by the City Building Department
• Completed application and received approval of our ABC Small Beer Manufacturer's License
• Purchased a glycol chiller, heat exchanger, brewery hoses, and 120 half-barrel kegs
• Pulled building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits for construction of tenant improvements
• Started construction

Plan approval was a big step. I had worked for almost two years with the planning and building agency at the City, my engineers and architects, to fit a brewery into our amazing building.  It is an amazing building, but it comes with some less-than-amazing limitations, like our electrical capacity.  Nevertheless, we found a way to make our brewery fit into our limitations, without substantial sacrifice.  So much of planning and design is about getting everyone to understand all of the different elements that go into a brewery.  

An early look at our tasting room tables

In February, I submitted applications to the ABC and TTB, the state and federal agencies that regulate and tax beer production.  I heard back from the ABC near the end of April, and we were approved as a Small Beer Manufacturer.  Under this license, we can operate a brewery and distribute to local bars and restaurants.  We are also able to operate a tasting room in which we can sell beer by the glass or growler direct to the consumer.  We have a great space and I can't wait to share it with you.  I'm still waiting on the TTB to approve our license.

The crazy Butfering machine that levels our tabletops

The glycol chiller, heat exchanger, brewery hoses, and kegs were some of the key major elements that I had not already purchased.  There are still lots of little nick-nacks that we need to run a brewery, like clamps, gaskets and tools.  The last element I'd like to add to my brewery is a variety of wine or spirit barrels, and I'm actively soliciting California wineries and barrel brokers to track down a variety of barrels.  If you walk by our building, you'll see the pile of kegs in the window.

With plan approval, we pulled building permits for all of our tenant improvements.  Immediately after pulling permits, we started construction.  I now have a big hole in the ground with new sewer lines tying into the existing sewer.  I am regularly posting photo updates on our construction to our instagram.com/thegoodbeerco and I would encourage you to follow along.

Picking up kegs in Industry, CA