Stone Brewing Planning Bay Area Tasting Room & Pilot Brewery

Numerous publications have touted San Diego as the 'Napa Valley of craft beer' and now, the world-renowned Bay Area wine country will be getting a big infusion of beer from the 10th largest craft brewer in the U.S. Stone Brewing Co. has shared that it plans to open Stone Brewing Tap Room - Napa, which will encompass a tasting room and pilot brewery and is scheduled to be completed by 2017. Scheduled to launch this year are Stone Brewing's other two out-of-town expansions, Virginia's Stone Brewing – Richmond and Europe's Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Berlin, which should open later this summer.

A tipster sent us a photo of the 10,000-square-foot building at 3rd Street and Soscol Avenue in downtown Napa, which sits on the Napa River; called the Borreo Building, it dates back to the 19th century but has long been vacant. In addition to renovating the interior, Stone Brewing will add an outdoor seating area with communal tables and fire pits.

A 10-barrel pilot brew system will enable brewers to create fresh batches of Stone Brewing core beers as well as incorporate local ingredients, including organic produce from area farms, into new brews. That same produce will be featured in the on-site dining component that will also make food available for takeout. Additionally, Stone Brewing Tap Room - Napa will offer growler fills and Stone Brewing merchandise.