BEER MAKING

On the other side of the wall from our winery sits our small nano-brewery. Our two-barrel, all grain system brews 60 gallons (4 kegs) of beer per batch. The program includes 14 beers, with more developing all the time.

Although Winemaker/Brewmaster Elaine St. Clair has been making wine in the Napa Valley for over 30 years, for ten years she was also Co-owner/Head Brewer of Napa Ale Works. Founded in 1986, it was one of Napa Valley's original breweries. After a 21 year hiatus Elaine is brewing once again!

All of our small batch beers are handmade onsite by Elaine and (President Laina Brown's son), Brewer Bren Westerland.

As a UC Davis graduate, Elaine attended both the Winemaking and Master Brewers Programs and holds a degree in Fermentation Science. She is the only woman in the country that holds the commercial title of both Winemaker & Brewmaster. Bren Westerland is also a graduate of the UC Davis' Master Brewers Program.

Elaine is reluctant to call her beers overly ‘craft’, she prefers to refer to herself as a "traditionalist." Our goal is to make balanced beers that elevate classic recipes rather than focus on exotic infusions or anything exceedingly experimental. Bringing a winemaker’s approach to beer, she strives to build layers of flavor. The beer is unfiltered and more malt-driven, favoring a less bitter or heavily ‘hopped’ profile for friendlier food pairings.

Our beers can be sampled by the flight or purchased by the bottle to-go in our tasting room. They are available by the glass in select establishments around the Napa Valley and in our garden for members of our Beer Club. All beers are hand-bottled and hand-labeled, with love, by Elaine and Bren in 750ml champagne bottles.

The current line-up includes Pilsner, Honey Wheat Ale, Kölsch-Style Ale, Farmhouse Saison, Belgian Ale, Vienna Pale Ale, Märzen, Red Ale, Scottish Wee Heavy, Brown Ale, Red IPA, Porter, Oatmeal Stout, and Black IPA. We offer three beers on tap at a time. The rotation changes almost weekly.

With the exception of the Honey Wheat Ale, all beers are vegan.