SLO Brewing Co. Opens Small-Batch Distillery
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA — SLO Brewing Co. is celebrating the grand opening of Rod & Hammer’s SLO Stills small-batch distillery and craft tasting room with five handcrafted spirits to compliment the latest venture’s striking Central Coast furnishings and timeless ambience.
“Over the past three years we have been experimenting with distilling small batches of rye whiskey,” said co-founder Rodney Cegelski. “Today we have a full distillery and brewery operating under one roof.”
Rod & Hammer’s first spirit, a Reserve Rye Whiskey stands as a bold testament to SLO Brew’s roots as the oldest microbrewery on the Central Coast since prohibition. Paying homage to the kinship between craft beer and brown spirits, the smooth and spicy rye whiskey is derived from in-house beer mash produced at SLO Brew Rock’s 30-barrel brewhouse.
The distillery will also feature a Straight Rye Whiskey, a classic American Straight Bourbon, an uncut Cask Bourbon, California juniper and Valencia orange Dry Gin, alongside a chill haze filtered Vodka.
Aged in 15-gallon New American oak barrels, each SLO Stills whiskey is cut with purified and desalinated Pacific Ocean water to represent the link that united founders Rodney Cegelski and Hamish Marshall. Ten years ago, the Shell Beach surfer Rod met Hammer, an Aussie jackaroo and fostered a friendship grounded in an appreciation for quality spirits and the Central Coast.
“SLO Stills was crafted to reflect our story,” said Marshall. “Now that things are up and running we want to share that personal, elevated experience with our visitors.”
Guests will have the opportunity to become founding members of The Barrel Club, receiving a personal 5-gallon oak barrel to age their own custom SLO Stills whiskey over a year’s span inside the tasting room. Club members can also enjoy early access to special releases, paired with complimentary tastings and roughly 28 (750mL) bottles of personalized bourbon.
Head distiller Paul Quinn will consult members on customizing the depth and flavor of their spirit with varying oak infusions at a range of char levels. On a quarterly basis, participants will be invited to taste their whiskey from the barrel to determine whether the spirit should be bottled or continue to age.
“We’re sharing the craft experience by walking people through the distillation process and teaching them to create a unique spirit that’s completely their own,” said Quinn.
Anchored by a copper horseshoe bar, the tasting room comes embellished with cowhide upholstered seating and leather couches for a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. Wicker lanterns cast a warm glow over the whiskey lounge from an industrial ceiling, featuring functional piping that carries grain from onsite silos into the Rock’s brewery. Adjacent to the active distillery, the room displays enticing scenes of vintage surfboards, a historic direct-fired reflux still deemed Ol’ Woody, and Marshall’s enduring masterpiece, a locked antique Cary Safe.
Upcycled planks from the original Pismo Pier have been transformed into floating shelves supporting the entire range of Rod & Hammer’s SLO Stills spirits. An artisanal craft cocktail menu boasts a signature Smokey Old Fashioned, Vaquero Margarita, classic Manhattan, Whiskey Mule and a decadent Whiskey Sour to pair with sweet and savory tapas. The SLO Brewing Co. lineup of Porch Pounder canned wine, Tio Rodrigo craft beer micheladas and select SLO Brew beers will also be available at the bar.
Located to the right of SLO Brew Rock’s renowned kid-friendly restaurant, Rod & Hammer’s SLO Stills will be a 21+ venue, open Wednesday and Thursday from 12:00 to 7:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 9:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM. For information regarding catered events, barrel club memberships or hours of operation at 855 Aerovista Lane, visit slostills.com or call 805-543-1843.
SLO Brewing Co. Celebrates the Launch of Tio Rodrigo on Cinco De Mayo
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - SLO Brewing Co. is welcoming a line of authentic micheladas to its portfolio of craft beers & spirits with the launch of Tío Rodrigo Craft Beer Micheladas. To celebrate, SLO Brew and Tío Rodrigo will be hosting the Ultimate Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at SLO Brew Rock on May 5th. Take part in a day designated to craft drinks, food specials and live music by the seven-piece band Mento Buru.
Entry is free and people of all-ages are invited to enjoy a range of festivities in SLO Brew Rock’s beer garden, restaurant and outdoor patio. Craft michelada cans will be available for purchase and guests can expect a fully-stocked build your own michelada bar with chamoy, tajin, fresh mango, tamarindo sticks and blood oranges among other fixings.
“There hasn’t really been a quality, craft michelada available to consumers until now,” said Brewmaster Steve Courier. “We are excited to celebrate with guests and have them taste authentic micheladas from the convenience of a can.”
Tío Rodrigo pairs a classic SLO Brew Hefeweizen beer with a fresh and traditional michelada mix of tomato juice, crisp lime and spices for a bold, reviving craft cocktail. Made entirely from all-natural ingredients, these bracingly flavorful micheladas are one of a kind and built to keep the good times rolling.
The Ultimate Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
May 5, 2019
12PM - 8PM
SLO Brew Rock - 855 Aerovista Ln, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Porch Pounder Canned Wine Joins SLO Brewing Co's Craft Portfolio
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - SLO Brewing Co is welcoming canned wine into its portfolio of celebrated craft beers & spirits with local vintner, Porch Pounder. As distribution ramps up, wine lovers in over 14 states can enjoy premium quality wines from California’s appellation vineyards - without the inconvenience of a bottle.
Founded in Templeton by longtime friends Paul Quinn and James Schreiner, Porch Pounder provides award-winning canned wine sourced from SIP (Sustainability in Practice) certified vineyards on the Central Coast. Currently, four varieties - a Chardonnay, Red Blend, Rosé and Brut Rosé - are available in 375ml cans that individually equate to half a bottle.
“Your favorite wine should be as accessible as your favorite beer,” said co-founder Quinn. “We always intended to support alternative packaging for light and easy drinking.”
Quinn and Schreiner began producing innovative cases of red and white blends from their garage in 2009. Dedicated and resourceful, they used an inherited basket press to crush grapes donated by established winemakers in the area. The young vintners formed Porch Pounder in 2015 and began production and distribution to states across the US. They continue to prioritize sourcing from family owned businesses to support their local economy.
As one of the first brands to bring canned wine to market, Porch Pounder continues to represent invention with vinted wines in convenient and sustainable packaging. Now adventures that don’t lend to glass and corkscrew can be enhanced by wine packed in vibrant, entirely recyclable cans.
“We practice hands-on winemaking,” said winemaker, Schreiner. “Porch Pounder is sharing the time and history of our grapes as part of the consumer experience.”
Porch Pounder is available for retail in grocery chains, music and outdoor venues throughout California and the US as the latest addition to the SLO Brewing Co. lineup. SLO Brew is welcoming Porch Pounder to the family as an extension of its brand ideologies - to handcraft the SLO experience by brewing up epic spirits and good times.
SLO Brew Cans Emergency Drinking Water For Mudslide Relief
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA – In response to the tragic mudslides in Santa Barbara and Montecito, one of the Central Coast’s longest standing breweries, SLO Brew, is using its canning line to package fresh drinking water to aid in the relief effort.
“It’s devastating. We have family, friends, and fans of SLO Brew throughout Santa Barbara impacted by the mudslide,” co-owner Hamish Marshall expressed. “When we heard about the damage to the fresh water supply, we knew we could help.”
SLO Brew fired up their canning line using the supply of fresh reverse osmosis water they reserve for brewing beer. With a donation from local label company WS Packaging Solutions, they hand-labeled the 16oz cans of drinking water and packed up their delivery truck.
Working with the American Red Cross and the Unity Shoppe in Santa Barbara, the emergency drinking water will be distributed to those affected by the mudslide. In addition, SLO Brew will be donating $1 for every pint purchased at either of its San Luis Obispo locations on Saturday, January 20th. To date, SLO Brew, along with Ernie Ball, has raised over $5,000 in donations in response to the Thomas Fire.
