Posted By: MBasenberg

Sam Adams brews nearly two million barrels annually. Stone Brewery produces one hundred and twenty barrels a batch. Hess Brewing produces one point six barrels at a time (that’s just 50 gallons each batch). These are all points on the craft brewing spectrum.

Now, really what does all that mean? It means that there are craft breweries (Sam Adams) that brew out of facilities in three states. Then, there are breweries (Hess Brewing) that brew and serve beer in approximately 1,000 square feet of an industrial park in north San Diego County and make damn good beer. Hess is considered a “Nano Brewery”, the definition of which seems to be illusive. The blog Brookston Beer Bulletin suggests the definition to be less than 1,000 to 2,000 barrels a year.

Hess Brewing officially opened July 7, 2010. Through their sheer hospitality and because craft beer people are good people, Mike Hess and Michael Scubic welcomed my husband and I into the brewery before they were officially open to the public- I am so thankful that they did. What these two do in 1,000 square feet could put many to shame. The equipment was hand built to suit their needs. Their blog also includes great insight into the process of getting a brewery started. Check out the crazy list of questions they had to answer to get approved by the Tax and Trade Bureau!

It is clear that it is an incredible amount of hard work. However a major benefit of a Nano Brewery is that the brewers are there to hear the positive feedback from craft beer fans. Here is a great review by the San Diego Beer Blog.

Is a Nano Brewery more admirable than larger efforts? It seems there are many factors to consider. As my previous Ladies of Craft Beer article discussed, the definition of craft beer continues to change- not necessarily a bad thing. When we are challenged to expand our definitions and learn to appreciate more, the lovers of craft beer can only benefit.

If you would like to find a Nano Brewery near you check out this growing list.