and you may find new beers on tap each week. We tasted
‘Winter Wit’, a lighter brew made with forty percent wheat
malt, coriander, and a handful of orange peels. ‘Equinox’ was
a dry, bitter, West Coast style IPA. Their gold-medal winning,
flagship Belgian style beer, Saison de Casper, aged in French
oak barrels, will be there for you to taste.
In the spring of 2018, Marc and Chad will host the 2nd
Annual BC Home Brew Competition, welcoming locals
to brew their batch on-site, ferment, and bottle at home,
returning in five weeks to have the brews judged by a Beer
Judge Certification Program (BJCP) panel. Due to timing of
this publication, check the website for future opportunities.
The taproom is casual, comfortable and welcoming with
picnic tables, games and family fun, open to the community
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, hours vary. (bcbrewing.com,
408.695.3449)
Rob Lightner and Chris Coomber are creators of East
Brother Beer Company, at 1001 Canal Boulevard, in
Richmond (follow the signs along the road to get there).
The name was chosen in honor of the historic light station
constructed on East Brother Island in 1873.
Chris had many years of experience home brewing when
he asked Rob if he wanted to open a brewery together.
Without hesitation Rob agreed, and the next day they started
planning. In Richmond they found the perfect spot, a rural
setting with a twelve-thousand square foot warehouse. They
took one look and knew this was the place, remodeled it, and
opened in December of 2016. Within two years the staff has
grown to eight employees and is a family affair. From their
wives to their children, both families put in their time. Chris,
the Master Brewer, is in charge of operations and equipment,
while Rob handles all other business details, which makes for
a well rounded partnership.
East Brother Beer is distributed throughout the Bay Area
and up North as well. In 2017, production was approximately
seven hundred barrels of beer. In 2018 production is
expected to double, which created the need to lay another
concrete pad and increase the number of fermenters. Their
beer is canned, rather than bottled, for multiple reasons. One,
in particular, is canned beer cannot be skunked. Skunked is
slang for beer that has gone sour from light that affects the
quality and taste of the beer. A can’s shelf life is much longer
than a bottle. It’s also more economical and environmentally
friendly, cans are recycled twice the rate of bottles.
When you get there, be sure to check out their ‘Red
Lager’; it’s delicious and crisp, the way a lager should be, with
a hint of amber color and biscuit on the finish. It’s one of the
boldest beers you will ever taste. If you are looking for an
IPA, on the other hand, try the ‘Gold IPA’; it’s hoppy with
bright flavors and a dry finish. The deeply colored ‘Oatmeal
Stout’ is rich, with roasty flavors and finishes smoothly.
The large open space is great for family gatherings and
private events, with a capacity of up to one hundred and
fifty people. Whether you are planning a corporate meeting,
a holiday party, or a birthday celebration, East Brother Beer
Company welcomes you.
Photo credit Derek Everhart