Located in California’s Bay Area, we first opened our doors in 2008. Since then, we have moved locations, opened a second taproom, and had a genetic physicist (no joke) take over as our master brewer (which was a genius move). It’s been a great ride making great beer. Here is our story.
2008 - Located in Napa, we (Napa Smith Brewery), opened our doors under modern craft beer’s first Brewmaster, Don Barkley (aka the grandfather of Craft Beer). The Brewery was named for the original owner (#funfact).
2013 - Napa Smith Brewery was purchased by Nashville based, RS Lipman Brewing Company. Our parent company (Lipman Brothers) has long been associated with the wine business since 1939. Over these many years, RS Lipman has forged close relationships with our friends in the Northern California wine industry. It was thanks to being part of this tight-knit community that RS Lipman became aware of one of Napa’s best kept secrets (Beer From Here).
2017 – We expanded production and moved the brewery to Vallejo. Happy to say this was another genius move (in our minds at least), because it gave us the opportunity to expand production, and embrace more of the bay area. Our new facility made it possible to embrace our artistic craftmanship (aka make more great beers) and engage with not only the Napa community, but also the historic community of Vallejo (#winning). Fortunately, our new location had enough room to add fun games (shuffleboard, pinball, darts, you name it) to play while having a pint (muy importante).
2018 - We opened a second taproom at Vista Collina in Napa Valley. Founded on the sentiment, “It takes a lot of great beer, to make great wine”, we continue to embrace and support the wine community in Napa and neighboring counties. The tradition of creating great beer while being surrounded by some of the greatest wineries in the world is in Napa Smith’s DNA. This encourages us to use the best ingredients and techniques, polished over generations, to make craft beer of uncompromised quality. Also, there is a grassy courtyard with corn hole (apparently, we are into games) and picnic tables to enjoy California’s (mostly) beautiful weather, wine and (of course) our beer.
Today – Under the careful watch of Brewmaster, Stein Servick, (the genetic physicist we told you about), we brew some of the most interesting craft beers with a passion for consistent high-quality product (mic drop). Thanks to Stein (who has beer in his blood or more accurately in his name), we continuously improve best practices, leading to some new brews and alternative recipes. This team has helped create the beautifully artistic expressions of beer that we enjoy today at Napa Smith (aka delicious beer).
Truly a California original, we are proud to be part of the bay area and the wine-making community. We want the iconic palm trees that tower over our brewery in Vallejo to act as an invitation to enjoy a pint (or three).
