Some New Toys

On Saturday, I drove down to Mission Valley in San Diego and loaded up a package of equipment for transportation.  The package is almost a complete brewery!  For the time being, the equipment is basically being stored in my building - we still have a few permits and licenses to obtain.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that only photographs can do justice:

That was fun.

Brewing Equipment

A couple months ago, I was contacted by a guy in San Diego that had been collecting brewing equipment for his own brewery.  His project had to go in a different direction, so he contacted me to check out his brewing equipment.  I did.

Fast forward two months and we have the deposit on the equipment.  We'll be moving it from San Diego to our new home in Santa Ana in May.  The system is going to need some serious tender, loving, care, but this thing has some great bones and was made in the United States of America.  JV Northwest, the manufacturer is one of the most respected names in the business, too.  The brewhouse was built in the mid-90's and used in a brewpub for several years.

Here are some photos of the JV Northwest 15 barrel brewhouse and four 15 barrel conical fermenters.

Planning Commission Approval

On Monday, the Santa Ana Planning Commission approved CUP 2013-01, which enables the Good Beer Company to produce, sell and distribute beer from 309 West Fourth Street, Santa Ana.

This is a major milestone for Good Beer.  The next steps include:

• Building and Fire Department submittal for architectural review
• California ABC License application for Type 23 License
• TTB application
• Equipment identification and purchase
• Construction (once Building/Fire approval is satisfied)
• Brewing!

That's an oversimplification, of course, but it gives you an idea of how much more work needs to be done.

Zoning Administrator Approval

Yesterday morning, myself and a couple fellow craft beer enthusiasts attended the public hearing in front of the Santa Ana Zoning Administrator.  It was an administrative review and open to the public.  After some trouble understanding the technical functions of a brewery tap room, the Zoning Administrator approved the proposal with some changes and sent it to the Planning Commission as a public hearing item.  Thanks to Jason and Joshua for showing up in support!  Here are the details on the hearing:

The Good Beer Company will be discussed at a public hearing in front of the Santa Ana Planning Commission.  The Commission is set to meet on March 25 at 5:30 PM in the Santa Ana Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California.  The Planning Commission can approve, continue or deny the Conditional Use Permit application.  

I'm putting together a slideshow to give the Planning Commission members an idea of what the tap room will look like.  I'll be collecting photographs and short videos of tap rooms across Orange County.  Here is one of the preliminary renderings of the Good Beer tap room:

If you have good photos of local brewery tasting rooms, please submit them to brandon@thegoodbeerco.com 

Upcoming: Zoning Administrator Public Hearing

It's finally official: The Good Beer Company Conditional Use Permit will be considered at the Public Hearing before the Santa Ana Zoning Administrator.  The hearing will take place on March 6, 2013 at 10:30 am and will be open to the public.  Please attend in support of Good Beer!

Conditional Use Permit Application Submitted

Because The Good Beer Company is a use that will produce, distribute and sell an alcoholic beverage, we're required to submit a Conditional Use Permit Application("CUP").  The CUP is reviewed by the Zoning Administrator and the Planning Commission to determine whether the activities are acceptable in the location proposed and is of general benefit to the City, compatible with all surrounding uses, and consistent with the City's General Plan (that's text straight from the CUP form).

Well, the application, fee, and mailing information for all property owners and tenants within 500 feet of the proposed site were submitted to the City today.  Now, we sit back and wait for the Administrator and Commission reviews - which will take place in February.

"The Art of Beer" Trailer

Last Fall, I met Joshua Lang at a little get together at the Food Beast headquarters in Downtown Santa Ana.  Robyn, Jen and I showed up with a couple kegs of beer and were immediately pouring pints.  Joshua was shooting a video of the impressive musical performance at the party.  Robyn started talking to him and it turned out that he was in the process of shooting a documentary about craft beer with director Oscar Ussery!

Anyways, we exchanged contact cards and got in touch shortly thereafter to shoot some footage of a homebrew day and an interview about the Good Beer Company.  Here's the trailer and here's the full 15 minute film shown at the premier:

Check out their Facebook page for more information: The Art of Beer

The Art of Beer is "a documentary about the cultural impact of craft beer in Southern California. Dir. by Oscar Ussery and Produced by Joshua Lang"