How many new breweries can boast a famous brew master as well as claim ties to the oldest microbrewery in the United States? Check out Napa Smith Brewery, the new family brewery in town that just released its first beers in May.
This beer story begins when the adventurous Smith Family purchased Albion Castle in San Francisco in hopes of starting a brewery and making quality microbrew beers. Albion Castle is a historic landmark and an important part of San Francisco’s history because of the artesian waters that flow beneath the buildings, and it was the first microbrewery to open in the United States—built in the 1870’s.
Soon the Smith family found that this historic property could not handle the projected volume of beer they would soon be producing, and so they chose to open a brewery in their hometown in the Napa Valley, located at the intersection of Highways 29 and 12.
Founded in 2007, Napa Smith will produce 200 barrels in 2008, and they expect to increase their production as their distribution expands. This family business has the goal of crafting the highest quality beers. To help them achieve these goals, they have recruited brew master “legend” Don Barklay who helped create Red Tail Ale, and who has over 35 years of experience crafting high quality microbrew beers. Don was also raised in the Napa Valley and calls it home.
Pale Ale: This flagship beer is light golden in color that is rich with hops and boasts a bold malt and spicy hop character. It has a clean finish, low bitterness, and a rich malted barley finish.
Amber Ale: This deep amber colored ale has a thick foam head and pours a medium body full of complex flavors of caramel malt, balanced with a light spiciness. It also has a low bitterness and a clean, sweet finish.
Wheat Beer: This is one of our favorites. This beer stands out with notes of citrus balanced with subtle flavors of barley and wheat malts. As a result, the taste is light and dry with lasting notes of citrus.
You can find Napa Smith Brewery beers at Whole Foods, Sunshine Foods and other specialty retail stores in Napa and Sonoma.
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