After a three-year effort, Randy Janinda and family have opened their brewery and taproom in downtown Walnut Creek.The Janinda’s opened the place up on Thursday, August 4th, and Friday, August 5th, for special soft-opening events for friends and supporters, before launching the taproom to the general public on Saturday.
Farm Creek is determined to not be “another IPA mill”, and plans to produce a variety of brews. To this end, Randy has hired award-winning brewer Winn Whisenhunt (formerly brewer at San Francisco’s Bartlett Hall) to assist.At the moment, they have three brews on tap: Southern Smile, a pale ale (5.5% abv); an American lager amusingly- and appropriately-named, #Beer (4.5% abv); and Favorite Daughter, a flavorful 3.7% abv beer labeled an “amber”, but which, as Randy readily admits, is somewhat defiant of categorization -brewed with the addition of rye and smoked malt; too dark for an amber, but not quite fitting the profile of a brown ale.
All three are available in tasters and pints, but -most fun of all- you can get them to go in a 32-oz aluminum “crowler” (can + growler) which is filled and sealed right before your eyes when you place your order.
Visitors are greeted by two large copper-clad brewing vessels, and are able to partake of Farm Creek’s brews just feet or inches from where they were made.
That proximity, and the care and love invested by the Janindas, make the taproom’s vibe a friendly and intimate one.
Seating is mostly spread between a couple of communal tables, but if you get there at the right moment you might be able to score one of the corner rocking chairs!
Farm Creek Brewing Co.
1415 Pine St
Walnut Creek, CA