JUNE 2018 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM 57
Bay Area locals, if you’re looking for a unique
brewery and taproom experience––close to
home––we found some great places for you to
try in Richmond. Family and pet friendly, they are waiting
for you to get there!
Benoit-Casper Brewing, at 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue,
was the first brewery established in Richmond. In 2014,
proprietors Marc Benoit and Chad Casper brought
their beer brewing endeavor to the unassuming urban
neighborhood. The gentlemen shared an obsession for
home brewing and met through an online network of
like-minded people. Their brew styles were similar and
they became friends, as did their families.
After winning many awards, they realized they had
more to offer than making great beer and drinking it with
friends. They decided to look for a location to grow their
hobby into something more for others to enjoy. They
struck out to make their mark.
The brewery began as a one-barrel system, in a closet,
tucked away in an industrial warehouse near Chad’s day
job. While the production was still small and limited Chad
and Marc oversaw the entire brewing and fermentation
process themselves, and worked their day jobs. With
growing families at home and full-time careers, they soon
realized they needed help to keep the
beer flowing. Tim Clair was hired as Head
Brewer to oversee production on a day-today
basis.
We arrived to find people of all ages, kids played corn
hole and delicious tidbits were being served from the
window of the food truck parked on-site. Dogs lazed in
the sun. The warehouse door was up, and the taproom was
open for business. We were warmly greeted by the staff.
Rob set up our tasting and shared his wicked sense of
humor behind the bar. Joe, aka ‘the resident translator’ (he
speaks five languages) started our tour, Chad Casper and
his wife Robin joined in. Rob and Joe were entertaining
and knowledgeable of the brewery history and
beers on tap.
In the early days their beer was served only
in local restaurants and bars. As time passed,
they grew their distribution organically with a
dedicated sales team. Benoit-Casper Brewing
has expanded production and flourished
to nearly one thousand barrels a year. The
warehouse is now filled with a brew kettle,
fermentation tanks and a variety of aging
barrels, and taproom.
Quality is of their utmost concern. Great
care is taken every step of the way, from
sourcing the freshest malt barley, hops, and
other flavorings, to the hand-bottling of each
batch. To date, close to fifty flavors have been
created. Their taps are switched out frequently
Imperial Stout,
Photo credit Derek Everhart