Brewery and taproom planned for downtown Grass Valley

Last August, our magazine reported that a group of locals was actively seeking to open Grass Valley Brewing Co. in the historic downtown. Now more details are emerging: the group is seeking to operate a brewery and taproom in an existing 7,600 square-foot building that has been occupied by Tripp’s Auto Body at 141-143 East Main Street.

The Grass Valley Planning Commission will consider the proposal at its meeting on Tuesday, March 21, at 7 p.m.

The business includes a 1,700 square foot taproom with bar and table seating; an area for a future kitchen; about 5,600 square ft. for the brewery and storage area. The space is equipped with roll-up doors that will add “curb appeal.” The applicant listed is Chris DeSena, and the owners and Hans and Jan Nagler. The Naglers will sublease the site to the brewery operators — right now, a group of four locals. The DeSenas are well-known in the area; Chris is a Cal Fire division chief. Other partners in the venture including fire fighting personnel.

If all goes well, the brewery would hope to open as early as the fall, one of the owners told our magazine. He cautioned, however, that the date is dependent on numerous factors, including receiving all the required regulatory approvals.

Food trucks are expected to serve the site, as at other breweries, but food service planned in the future.

“Staff recommends the Planning Commission approve Use Permit 17PLN-05,” according to the staff report.

As previously reported, the group registered the URL Grass Valley Brewing Co., filed a fictitious business name with the County, scouted out potential locations — including this one on East Main Street — and consulted with the City of Grass Valley about permitting requirements. Now the website is live. Tripp’s, meanwhile, is moving to another location in Grass Valley.

The drawings include a tap room and small brewery that would be a gathering place. The plan has created a buzz among local brewing enthusiasts, who gather at places such as Sierra Moonshine brewing supplies in Grass Valley.

Another Grass Valley brewery planned

The plan to open a brewery in downtown Grass Valley comes amid recent Planning Commission approval for another brewpub:  a brewery, wine tasting room and outdoor beer garden in the empty space where The Union used to print its community newspaper before outsourcing the printing to the Sacramento Bee. The details are here.

The 1849 Brew Pub at 464 Sutton Way will include an outdoor beer garden area, a pizza oven, a 20-foot tall grain silo. Soft rock and live music will play inside the pub on weekends, the application said.

Grass Valley elected officials have been seeking to bring a brewery to town — noticing the success in Nevada City with ol’ Republic Brewery and Three Forks Brewery & Baking Co., as well as the boom in craft brewing. Ol’ Republic Brewery recently won a prestigious “best of show” honor at the California State Fair. Three Forks also won an award at the Fair.

“Grass Valley Brewing Co. is a craft brewery coming to Grass Valley, CA that uses the best ingredients to produce a variety of classic and innovative beers.  Our goal is to engage our community, travelers and beer connoisseurs alike, by offering an unparalleled product in an inviting environment,” the website reads.

“Grass Valley Brewing Co. came to life due to our passion for great beer and our love of community. We believe great beer is produced when skill meets ingredients. Our skill is in our team.  The ingredients go beyond the grain, hops and water to include people; and we have a community of great people! When our skill meets our ingredients, magic happens. The recipe for our success starts and ends with people.”