Meet The 2025 BABG "Freshman Class"
Last week, VinePair released its list of the 26 Best New Breweries of 2025. As usual, the Bay Area Brewers Guild was well represented, with two of our newest members, Livermore’s Heady Works Brewing and San Rafael’s Hidden Splendor Fine Beer Company, making the list. It was a welcome reminder that we’ve been remiss in formally introducing Brew Deck readers to the Guild’s newest members.
This guild exists to support independent breweries and uphold the quality, culture, and community that define Bay Area beer. Each year, new members join the Guild, bringing with them fresh energy, new ideas, and hard-earned experience. Our 2025 Freshman Class is a particularly strong one. It includes veteran brewers launching new projects, longtime industry professionals stepping into ownership, and breweries rooted deeply in both place and purpose.
Hidden Splendor Fine Beer Company, San Rafael, CA
Starting with Magnolia Brewing in 1997 and later Admiral Maltings in 2017, Dave McLean is already responsible for two legendary Bay Area beer institutions. A veteran brewer, publican, maltster, and founding member of this Guild, McLean launched his latest venture, Hidden Splendor Fine Beer Co., earlier this year with debut releases at San Francisco's famed Outside Lands Music Festival. Since then, the project has released roughly a dozen beers, between collaborations and their own house offerings, all built around floor-malted grain from Admiral.
These early beers preview a future centered on balanced, real-ale–inspired styles, with a permanent home planned at the forthcoming Excelsior Pub in San Rafael.
Beer To Try: Lost Sailor Hybrid IPA (6.0% ABV) — an American/English-style IPA brewed in collaboration with Faction Brewing.
Brewing With Brothas, Belmont, CA
Initially launched in East Palo Alto, Brewing With Brothas is a Black-owned brewery founded by longtime friends and collaborators Denzel Jackson and RiSean “Bookie” Tinsley. The project has grown from homebrewed beginnings, through a series of lauded collaborations with several of the Bay's most celebrated breweries, into a newly opened, dedicated taproom in Belmont. The new retail space focuses on accessible, well-executed beer built on strong technical fundamentals, alongside the occasional thrilling curveball (Black Belgian-style Tripel, anyone?).
"The Brothas" have already positioned themselves as a welcoming on-ramp to craft beer while maintaining a clear commitment to quality and representation. We can't wait to see what comes next!
Beer To Try: Pacific Hustle West Coast Pale Ale (6.0% ABV) — a flavorful, assertive pale ale built around Citra and Simcoe hops.
Heady Works Brewing, Livermore, CA
Heady Works Brewing is a small, independent brewery founded by Justin Stevens (co-owner and brewmaster) alongside longtime friends and creative partners. The Livermore taproom opened in May to early acclaim for the brewery’s hoppy hazy IPAs and fruit-forward sour ales.
As a young operation, Heady Works is building its local reputation through bold, expressive beers and loud, eye-catching label art.
Beer To Try: Jacknife Hazy Double IPA (9.0% ABV) — an opulent, over-the-top haze bomb brewed with Mosaic, Citra, and Columbus hops.
Fifty Vara Brewing, San Francisco, CA
Located in San Francisco’s Sunset District, Fifty Vara Brewing is owned by Bay Area beer veteran Brian Reccow, who began brewing professionally in 1991. His career includes stints at Lake Tahoe Brewing, Thirsty Bear, Beach Chalet, and his own Reccow Brewing.
Fifty Vara maintains a concise lineup of lagers and ales, prioritizing drinkability and classic execution over trend-driven releases.
Beer To Try: Hazy Drift (6.0% ABV) — a hazy IPA showcasing Dolcita, a newly released tropical-forward hop from the Pacific Northwest.
Fathers Brewing Company, Lafayette, CA
Founded by Conor Begley, Joe Cloyes, and partners, Fathers Brewing Company launched with the explicit goal of creating a new category: clean beer. The brewery focuses on organic ingredients, glass packaging, and ultra-fine filtration intended to reduce unwanted compounds sometimes found in beer.
Launched in July 2025, Fathers has already expanded distribution across the East Bay, reflecting growing consumer interest in ingredient transparency and minimal processing.
Beer To Try: Fathers Clean American Lager (5.1% ABV) — brewed with organic Admiral malt and Nelson Sauvin and Citra hops.
Match Point Brewing, Albany, CA
Founded by longtime friends and tennis doubles partners Simon Chen and Johnny Weng, Match Point Brewing is an AAPI-owned brewery that evolved from a Richmond garage into a production brewery and taproom on San Pablo Avenue.
Match Point’s beers integrate Asian culinary ingredients—such as jasmine rice and hojicha tea—into technically precise, highly drinkable styles, expanding flavor reference points without sacrificing balance or approachability.
Beer To Try: Tiebreaker Jasmine Rice Lager (5.1% ABV) — a crisp, floral lager representing the Australian Open in the brewery’s Grand Slam–themed rotation.
Rockaway Beach Brewing, Pacifica, CA
Though technically a reopening, Rockaway Beach Brewing earns inclusion here due to new ownership—and, most notably, the arrival of an extraordinarily accomplished brewmaster.
The brewhouse is now anchored by Arne Johnson, one of the most decorated brewers in the United States. Johnson served as brewmaster at Marin Brewing for more than two decades, earning numerous regional and national honors, including four gold medals at a single Great American Beer Festival.
Johnson’s inaugural beer at Rockaway Beach was a reflection of his extraordinary legacy. He brewed a Hazy IPA alongside two of his former protégés—Kim Sturdavant (Social Kitchen & Brewery, Pacifica Brewing, Admiral Maltings) and Tim Sciascia, the founding brewmaster of Cellarmaker Brewing Company.
Beer To Try: Arnebräu — a traditional German-style lager that Johnson has brewed at several different facilities and refined to perfection over many years.
🍻 Upcoming Events Featuring Our Member Breweries
🎉 Free (Pay-As-You-Go) Public Events This Weekend!
TOMORROW! Wednesday, 12/17—Cookie Decorating at Pond Farm Brewing
(San Rafael, CA| 4 PM - 7 PM )
A festive and free evening of cookie and pomander orange decorating, live holiday music, mulled wine, and more. All ages welcome, bring the fam and get cozy!
More Info –> Cookies at Pond Farm!
Thursday, 12/18—Lost Sailor IPA Release Party at The Rake at Admiral Maltings
(Alameda, CA| 4 PM - 8 PM )
Special Cask Event! Real ale lovers, this one’s for you! Faction Brewing and Hidden Splendor Fine Beer Co. got together to collaborate on Lost Sailor IPA and The Rake is celebrating the beer's arrival by tapping not one but two casks of the brew side by side!
More Info –> Faction and Hidden Splendor at The Rake!
Saturday, 12/20—Ugly Sweater Party at Del Cielo Livermore
(Livermore, CA| 6 PM - 9 PM )
It's an Ugly Sweater Holiday Party in Del Cielo's Livermore Taproom with live music from Inverness95.
More Info –> Ugly Sweaters at Del Cielo!
Sunday, 12/21—Pet Adoption Drive at Del Cielo Martinez
(Martinez, CA| 11 AM - 2 PM )
Bring home a new furry friend this holiday season courtesy of Joybound. For every adoption made at this event, Del Cielo will cover up $100 in administrative fees!
More Info –> Adopt a Pet at Del Cielo!
Tuesday, 12/23—Festivus! at Enterprise Brewing
(San Francisco, CA| 4 PM - 10 PM )
Join the holiday cheer and witness the Festivus Miracle of $4 Festbier pints Dec 23rd and 24th!!
More Info –> Festivus For The Rest Of Us In The City!
📅 Save the Dates
Friday, 12/26— Boxing Day Pajama Party at Steel Bonnet Brewing
(Scotts Valley, CA| 4 PM - 6 PM )
Krampus, will be visiting Steel Bonnet on Friday, December 12th and the brewery is welcoming local artisans for a Dark Holiday Market in his honor!
Wednesday, 12/31—Hogmanay! (Scottish New Year's Eve) at Steel Bonnet Brewing
(Scotts Valley, CA| 2 PM - 8 PM )
Celebrate with Steel Bonnet. There will be oysters, live Celtic music, and a ringing in of the Scottish New Year at 4pm sharp!
Friday 2/20/2026 - Sunday 3/1/2026 — Beer Week 2026
(The Whole Damn Bay Area!)
The biggest and best regional celebration of independent craft beer on the planet!
Keep up-to-date on all the events at sfbeerweek.org
Saturday 2/21/2026— SF Beer Week Fest 2026 at Salesforce Park
Tickets on sale now!
More Info –> SF Beer Week Fest 2026!