Cellarmaker Brewing

The under-the-radar success of San Francisco Cellarmaker Brewing has had a lasting impact on the evolution of IPA in America, especially here on the West Coast. From a small taproom in the SoMo (South of Market) District to creating a world-class pizza joint, and now having locations on both sides of the bay, their focus on freshness, hop varietals, and fermentation have pushed the boundaries of beer into the modern era.

Founded in 2013, Cellarmaker Brewing is owned by Connor Casey (Marketing), Tim Sciascia (Head Brewer), and Kelly Sciascia (Tasting Room & Operations). The overlapping portion of their venn diagram finds them back at Marin Brewing Company, around 2010, where they collectively worked front of house, washed kegs and learned all the nuances of brewing, dry-hopping, and cellar work.

Tim’s beer journey harkens back to working as a tour guide at Boston Beer Co (Samuel Adams) in his hometown of Boston. After years spent visiting and exploring breweries in Boulder, CO then working at City Beer Store and Marin Brewing, Connor was ready for something more. Then there’s Kelly who has the longest tenure in the beer industry of the three owners, including nearly a decade at Marin Brewing and beer-tending at Russian River Brewing.

Over time, Cellarmaker has made a name for themselves with an eye toward constant evolution, experimentation, and sourcing the finest ingredients, especially hops, available. Their love for the New England approach to IPA, specifically the creations coming out of Hill Farmstead, informed their approach to a new kind of West Coast IPA.

They’ve created what they call a Hazy West Coast – often referred to as a Hybrid or American IPA, an approach that’s influenced brewers all over the US, including Cloudburst, Pint House Brewing, HenHouse Brewing, Ruse Brewing, and many others. In essence, it’s an easy drinking, hop forward, juicy IPA that doesn’t require the heavier oat delivery system seen in most Hazy IPAs. They’ve reveled in the idea that Hazy and West Coast do not have to be exclusive entitles; that IPA can walk and chew gum at the same time.

This success enabled the creation of a second location, Cellarmaker House of Pizza, just down the road on Mission Street, in 2019. In early 2022, the brewery announced the opening of another location, a pizza restaurant, brewery and taproom in Oakland, slated to open this summer. Then, during the same week in November of 2022, they announced both the acquisition of The Rare Barrel in Berkeley and the closure of their original SoMa location. The original Rare Barrel location is slated to open as a Cellarmaker production facility mid-July. The popularity of their Detroit-style pizza, an increase in production in the East Bay, plus their role in this years 3-Way IPA release with Fort George and Anchorage Brewing has elevated their profile even more.

Over the course of 10 years in existence, Cellarmaker has created over 600 unique beers with over 250 denoted as various forms of IPA. They’ve also created over 130 variations on Pale Ale, though some of their most beloved releases include their solera Saison series Lost Wisdom and Coffee & Cigarettes, one of the best Smoked Porters in America.

We’ve been working with Cellarmaker Brewing for nearly 5 years now and are beyond excited for them to be showcased at Function PDX during the month of July! The beers expected to be available, to start with, in cans include Juice Kiosk Hazy IPA, Mt. Nelson Hazy West Coast IPA, The Dripping Tap West Coast IPA, plus a variety of specialty bottles including a few from The Rare Barrel.

On draft you can expect an even greater variety with four Hazy West Coasts available including Dobis, Moonage Daydream, and Mo’ Galaxy. There will also be styles on the periphery of the spectrum including a Strong Stout, sours from The Rare Barrel, and Gold Dust, a light ale. Be sure to stop in for the Basement Beer Club preview on Thursday the 29th, then enjoy all Cellarmaker has to offer from it’s official opening June 30th until July 30th!

Content sourced from Cellarmaker Brewing; Craft Beer & Brewing and CB&B Podcast Episode 144; Eater SF – Cellarmaker Pizza, OG Location Closing – Oakland Opening; San Francisco Chronicle; SFGate; Brewbound; The Full Pint.