Napa Smith Adding New Production Breweries In CA & TN

announced today that it is expanding with two new production facilities slated to open in 2016. The growth is part of a long-term plan to maintain quality and freshness standards, with current roots at 1 Executive Way, Napa, CA, at the intersection of Highways 29 and 12, commonly referred to as the “gateway to Napa Valley.”

According to Mike Forte, Director of Operations for Napa Smith, the new California brewery is expected to open by the end of 2016 at 101 Yolano Dr. in Vallejo, CA. Napa Smith has also entered into a cooperative partnership with Turtle Anarchy Brewing Company targeting production for July 2016 at 5901 California Avenue, Nashville, TN. The two new facilities are Napa Smith’s first breweries outside of Napa. R.S. Lipman Company, the parent company of Napa Smith, says current production is maxed out, substantiating the need for growth.

Through its collaboration with Turtle Anarchy Brewing Company and Hap & Harry’s Tennessee Beers, Napa Smith Brewery will become the smallest independent bicoastal operation in North America producing kegs, cans and bottles for national and international distribution.

Napa Smith is among a handful of U.S. craft brewers, including Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Stone Brewing Co., and New Belgium Brewing Co., expanding in a major play for national and international business. The Vallejo and Nashville facilities will more than double capacity, giving Napa Smith the ability to reach all 50 U.S. states and multiple countries.

The new breweries will offer the full line of Napa Smith’s core beers, developed by iconic master brewer Don Barkley. Both new breweries will also offer taproom-only specialties based on seasonality and brewers’ innovations.

Barkley, America’s most veteran craft brewer, started making craft beer in 1978 at New Albion Brewery, America’s first new craft brewery since Prohibition. As one of the founders of Mendocino Brewing Company, Barkley achieved icon status during his 25-year tenure there, where he helped spearhead the craft beer movement. Barkley continued his craft brewing legacy throughout Northern California including Sonoma, Napa and now Solano. His impact on the world of craft beer is expanding east in 2016, when he will help lead Napa Smith’s collaboration with Turtle Anarchy to create benchmark styles of Napa Smith beers in the new Nashville-based co-operative. Barkley is sharing his experience with brewing teams, led by Stein Servick (Napa Smith) and Andrew Kamp (Turtle Anarchy), to ensure production of his recipes well into the future.

“It’s exciting to see the explosion of craft beer across the United States,” says Barkley. “Working with other brewers to expand and promote good beer is a joy. There aren’t too many careers that span 40 years and culminate in this fashion. I feel very fortunate to be a part of Napa Smith’s plans for expansion.”