What's new:

When your brewery hits a decade, there are plenty of stories to tell. And that's exactly what Mare Island Brewing Co. founders, Kent and Ryan take on in our new ten episode podcast series, Battleships to Beer: 10 Years of Mare Island Brewing Co.

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From the early years, to navigating the pandemic, to colorful moments in Mare Island history... and of course beer, Kent and Ryan take to the mic with The Brewing Network founder and host Justin Crossley to reflect on a wild ride.

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The first two episodes are out now, and we'll be dropping new ones every two weeks starting July 23rd, with a few extra bonus episodes in between.

We were recently featured in an episode of ABC's Localish! Check out the episode for a behind the scenes look at MIBC, and our three locations...

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Both Fortner and Gibbons came from the winemaking industry; their goal was to translate that knowledge into brewing the great beer.

"We’ve taken the parts of the wine world that we think apply. But we have had to learn kind of a new approach in some of it." Said Fortner "You know the wine world is super fun on one level. And man it is sure fun to have a pint on the other level."

Everyone of their beers is named after an event that has happened on Mare Island and written on the side of each can is the story.

"We are trying very, very hard to uphold the incredible heritage and history of Mare Island." Fortner explained "We put some of that history on every can…" expressed Gibbons "…We are kind of like a history company we just end up making beer to tell all this great history."

Their goal was to create great beer to honor Mare Island, wonderful food to accompany it and a safe and communal environment to enjoy them in.

"We want people to have the whole experience. We want them to have the beer. We want them to have the history and we want them to have the community gathering watering hole we try to provide." Stated Fortner "And it is that combination that I think makes us special."

Along with excellent beer they are also serving up delicious food at all three of their locations. Each location has its own unique style from nachos at the Pie Wagon on the Island, elevated pub fare at the Taproom in Vallejo, to more of a upscale cuisine at the Taphouse in Benicia.

"At the end of the day it is really chef’s food that differentiates each location," said Gibbons. "We didn’t want to have the same experience, the same thing at each location," declared Starr. "We wanted something completely different."

Fortner, Gibbons and Starr all live in the local community of Vallejo and are proud that most of their employees do as well. They are extremely grateful for the hard work from their team and the support of the community.

"It is really the employees around us that helped us come along the way that you can’t do without them," admitted Gibbons. "We certainly couldn’t do this without the local community, and they have rallied behind us in a way that I had hoped for… But couldn’t have imagined it could have been this good," said Fortner.

Starr expressed, "I feel like people gravitate towards us because they know that they can come in and it is a positive environment, a happy place for people to be."

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We're honored to have had our Ferry Taproom featured on an episode of KQED's James Beard and Emmy award-winning restaurant series, Check Please! Bay Area!

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The whole experience was a blast, and in-case you missed the live airing, you can check out the full episode below.

We're stoked to announce our "Staff Brews" series! Small batch brews featuring ideas and recipes from our staff, and available only in our taprooms. Every few weeks, we'll be tapping one of our staff members for their ideas on a new brew, and then working with them to make it happen on our 1BBL pilot system. We're excited to get team members from across departments involved in the brewing process, and just as excited to have you all taste their creations!

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When does the next Staff Brew Drop? We'll announce the next staff brew the day before it hits the taprooms. So, follow us on Instagram & Facebook to stay in the loop.

Come indulge in a night of delicious food and perfectly paired brews! Join us at our First Street Taphouse on April 13th from 6-9pm, and feast on four mouthwatering courses, each complimented with the perfect beer or wine pairing.



Tickets are available on Eventbrite, and we only have 30 available, so grab them now.



**Yardbird Beer Club Members - check your email for a special discount code!

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We're excited to bring trivia to both our First Street Taphouse and Coal Shed Brewery locations! Grab your friends, and join use every Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:30pm for craft brews, food, and a few brain ticklers from the quizmasters at King Trivia.

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FIRST STREET TAPHOUSE

• Tuesdays, 6-8pm
• Starting February 28th

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COAL SHED BREWERY

• Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm
• Starting March 1st

SF Beer Week returns February 10-19, and we have some great events happening at all three locations. Mark your calendars for the upcoming events below...

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Special Release: One House Bakery Beer Collab

FRI, FEB. 10^TH | FIRST STREET TAPHOUSE

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"One Island" Maple Pecan Stout hits the taps at our First Street Taphouse on Feb. 10!

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Created with our Benicia neighbor Hannalee from One House Bakery, this tasty brew is packed with pecan aromatic punch, and hints of Canadian maple syrup. Come visit our taps in downtown Benicia for the release of this limited SF Beer Week collab.

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"One Island" Maple Pecan Stout | 7.2% ABV:‍

Rich oatmeal stout packed with a sweet yet powerful pecan aromatic punch.  Fermented with Grade A Canadian maple syrup until bone dry, dosed with whole roasted pecans, and then back sweetened with additional maple syrup to create the perfect balance.

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Super Bowl Viewing & Specials

SUN, FEB. 12^TH | ALL LOCATIONS

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Grab your friends and family, and join us for the Superbowl! Cold pints, football-worthy food specials, and multiple screens to watch the game at each location.

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SUPER BOWL SPECIALS:

• FERRY TAPROOM: Fish & Chips - Locally Caught Rock Cod dipped in Saginaw Golden Ale Beer Batter, Old Bay Steak Fries, Tartar Sauce and Malt Vinegar‍
• COAL SHED BREWERY: Smoked Brisket Chili & Cornbread‍
• FIRST STREET TAPHOUSE: House Made Cheddar Bratwurst with Aged White Cheddar, Hydraulic Sandwich IPA Mustard, and Chourcroute (House Made Sauerkraut, Onions, Bacon, and our Ivy Bells Pilsner)

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Valentine's Day Pre-Fixe Dinner & Pairing

TUE, FEB. 14^TH | FIRST STREET TAPHOUSE

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Treat your Valentine to a delicious date night at the Taphouse! Chef David and team have crafted a special Valentine's Day menu, featuring a 3-course dinner, with suggested beer or wine pairings. The pre-fixe dinner includes an amuse bouche, appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Make it extra special, and reserve a table upstairs in our Benicia Room! Walk-ins welcome, but availability will be limited.\

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FOR RESERVATIONS:

For reservations, please email our Taphouse Manager, Jenn Shovelton at jenn@mareislandbrewingco.com, or call at 707.556.3000 ext. 4.

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Taste Through Mare Island History

THURS, FEB. 16^TH | FERRY TAPROOM

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5:30-7:30pm – Stop by the Ferry Taproom for a special beer tasting with the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation! Grab a sampler flight of four hand-picked brews, and then learn more about the history that inspired each of them through historical artifacts from Mare Island's past.

Members from the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation will be in the Taproom to tell you more about each artifact, and the amazing history of Mare Island!

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Hops + Hounds – Dog Adoption Day

SAT, FEB 18^TH| COAL SHED BREWERY

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1pm-5pm – We’re excited to partner with Vallejo's own Humane Society of the North Bay to help find some great homes for some great dogs. Come by our Coal Shed Brewery from 1-5pm to meet (and hopefully adopt) your new best friend.

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Volunteers from the HSNB will be at the brewery, with a cadre of furry friends who are looking for their new home. You'll have a chance to meet the dogs, learn more about them from the volunteers, and submit an application to adopt. Plus, if you complete the adoptions process, you'll receive a VIP invite to our next Yardbird Beer Club Member event.

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PLEASE LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME:  While we're usually very dog-friendly, we highly encourage you leave your furry friends at home that day in order to create a comfortable environment for the adoptees.

Mare Island Brewing Co. Co-founders, Kent and Ryan recently stopped by Brew HaHa to talk beer, the incredible history of Mare Island, and how they're connecting the two. The episode was broadcast live on KSRO in Santa Rosa, and you can check out the full recording below!

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Grab a beer, some bites, and enjoy the show! Produced by Bayareacomics and hosted in the Benicia Room upstairs at our First Street Taphouse, this show promises only the funniest comedians from around the Bay and beyond.

Get in the Holiday spirit Sunday, December 4th from 1-6pm! Drop by the Coal Shed Brewery to enjoy brews, food, and music around our fire pits. Pick up some great gifts for your family and friends while you're here too!

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Special Beer Tastings and Releases

Taste through several previous vintages of our reserve-level beers and take some bottles home for the beer lover in your life. We will also have special limited releases on tap, including a new brew crafted by our beer club members in our Yardbird Brewer Bootcamp.

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Tastings are included for Yardbirds with dog tags, and $5 for the public.

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S'Mores and More

Grab a s'mores cone from Chef David, and enjoy tasty Holiday specials around the fire.

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Kids Activities

Face painting provided by the wonderful Anna Lea and kid friendly games to provide entertainment for the whole family.

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Photos with Santa

'Tis the season for adorable holiday family photos. Grab some photos with Santa while you're here, and make sure you are on the nice list!

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Special Holiday Gifts and Merch Deals

Pick-up some great gifts, and take advantage of some great deals.

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Yardbirds, get 20% off all merchandise. Non-Yardbirds enjoy 15% off when you bundle a sweatshirt, a t-shirt, and an accessory.

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Toy Drive

Helps us spread some holiday cheer to kids and families in the community! We're partnering with the Straits of Mare Island Rowing Association to collect toys for the annual Vallejo Firefighters Holiday Toy Drive. Bring your new and unwrapped toy donations, and watch as they're loaded onto a whaleboat, and rowed across the strait for donation.‍

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Yardbird Beer Club Members

‍This is your first opportunity to get your hands on your 2022 Holiday Release of Our Three Wise Men! Pick-up your Holiday Release, and bring your dog tags to enjoy a few extra Yardbird perks while you're here.

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The First Street Taphouse is now open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3-9pm! Visit us 7 days a week for bites, pints, and great company... and stop by Mondays and Tuesdays for these new weekly specials too...

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Every Monday: Industry Night

We're open 3-9pm every Monday... but if you work behind a bar, in a brewhouse, or at a restaurant - stop by from 7-9pm for 18% off your check.

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Every Tuesday: Taco + Movie Tuesday

Come hangout for Baja Tacos, and a handpicked flick each week. Come for tacos and pints, and stay for the movie starting at 6pm every Tuesday.

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Wanna know about the movie pick each week? Follow the First Street Taphouse on Instagram of Facebook.

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Saturday, October 29th - We're decking out all three taprooms for Halloween! Costume-up, and come hang out for brews, Halloween specials, and more at each location.

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Oh, and for the first 30 Yardbird beer club members at each location - we've got Trick or Treat Schwag Bags for ya!

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COAL SHED BREWERY

Costume-up, round-up your friends, and bring your little goblins! On Saturday, October 29th, come haunt the Coal Shed Brewery with us.

• Live DJ (4-8pm)
• Kids Face Painting (4-7pm)
• Halloween Food Specials
• Beers
• Trick or Treat Goodie Bags for the first 30 Yardbird beer club members (with dog tags)

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FERRY TAPROOM

Calling all you witches and warlocks. Sat. Oct. 29th, we're decking out the Ferry Taproom for Halloween. Stop by in your best costume for halloween food specials, live music, and a killer good time.

• ‍Live Music ft. @hattiecravenmusic (6:30pm-8:30pm)
• Halloween Food Specials
• Cold Pints
• Trick or Treat Goodie Bags for the first 30 Yardbird beer club members (with dog tags)

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First Street Taphouse

The First Street Taphouse was built in the 1890s, and there's bound to be ghost story or two somewhere in its history. Come out in your costume, and enjoy a ghoulish evening with us!

• Brews
• Halloween Food Specials
• Horror Movies
• Trick or Treat Goodie Bags for the first 30 Yardbird beer club members (with dog tags)

Yardbirds! Buckle up your fanny pack, and get ready to relive your glory days. For this fall's Yardbird Pick-up Party, we're taking you back to the 1980s.

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Saturday, September 10th, 1-4pm | Coal Shed Brewery

Join us on the waterfront for an '80s themed Pick-up Party, and cornhole tournament. Enjoy cold pints, some creative 80s inspired dishes from Chef David, and your favorite jams from the decade. We've got a few surprises for you too. And don't forget to dress to impress.... you know the MIBC crew will.

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• Great food, with a dash of nostalgia
• Live band cranking out your favorite 80s jams
• Cold pints
• Yardbird Game: Cornhole tournament
• Dress to impress! We'll have prizes for the most enthusiastic and authentic getups
• Pick-up your Fall 2022 Yardbird Case after the party

We're stoked to once again host the Bay Area's most unique bike festival and urban cyclo-cross race at our Coal Shed Brewery! Join us on the Mare Island waterfront for a full day of UCX racing, riding, family-friendly activities, live music... and of course, cold beer and great food.

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Mare Island PedalFest 2022, Featuring...

• The Wet Mile Urban Cyclo-cross Race
• Lap of the Shipyard Family Bike Tour
• Kids Bike Rodeo
• Mare Island Bike Swap
• Great Food, Beer, and Live Music from our Beer Garden

Co-founders Kent & Ryan stopped by The Session podcast  to chat about beers, the brand, and the history behind Mare Island that inspired it all...

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Mare Island Brewing Company joins us on The Session to discuss the history of Mare Island and the brewery that is helping to keep it alive. Co-Founders Ryan Gibbons and Kent Fortner have built a truly unique brewery in an historic decommissioned Naval shipyard and their dedication to the history, the men and women who worked there, and the legacy that surrounds them shows in every single thing that they do. Tune in listen to one of the coolest and most important brewing stories we’ve ever had on The Brewing Network.

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Check out the episode below, or listen over at The Brewing Network.

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