This brewpub sits on fifteen acres in Sonoma County, California. The new facility, measuring over 118,000 square feet, includes a production brewery, hospitality center, brewhouse, dog-friendly beer garden, tasting room, restaurant, and pilot brewery. Blending the industrial elements of a production brewery with a softer farmhouse feel, the design connects functionality with hospitality. In addition, two acres serve as dedicated parking for the scores of visitors who enjoy this award-winning brewery each year.
The main production brewery contains an automated brewing system from Germany, bottling, packaging, and shipping operations. The brewhouse includes a 15-foot-deep basement, extending below the water table, to support the design vision of a clean, simple brewhouse with interactive visitor access to the tanks. The process piping, automation, and hardware are concealed in the basement, requiring an elevated, 37-foot clear-span concrete slab with multiple large openings for the tanks. Two access mezzanines provide clear visibility to the entire brewery space, allowing room for public and private tours. This access, combined with the large-scale viewing windows, completed the owner’s vision of inviting guests to observe and experience the brewing process.
The structure consists of untopped metal deck supported on open-web steel joists spanning between interior steel girder lines and precast concrete walls ranging in height from 24 to 42 feet tall. The building and support facilities, including multiple storage tanks and wastewater treatment plant, are supported on shallow spread foundations. The lateral force-resisting system is special precast concrete shear walls.
This building achieved the owner’s vision to invite guests into their brewing process, allowing tour access into the brewhouse while protecting the equipment setup and process piping. It has served as a great addition to Russian River Brewing Company’s original location in downtown Santa Rosa.
Photo Credit: Technical Imagery