Come in through the ‘Side Gate.’ Concord welcomes newest brewery

CONCORD, CA (Sept 8, 2021) — In the mood for a great beer? Bring the kids, the dog and even your own picnic lunch down to the Side Gate Brewery & Beer Garden in Concord. “Friends don’t knock” they just come in through the side gate in the brewery’s historic building at 1822 Grant St., across from Todos Santos Plaza.

While the new brewery will not serve food other than some snack items, they welcome customers to bring in food from other businesses downtown or even from home.

Wednesday afternoon Concord Chamber of Commerce members, city officials, dignitaries, friends and fellow business owners joined founders Kevin Wilson and Paul Culbertson in a private ribbon cutting ceremony where mayor Tim McGallian officially welcomed the new brewery to town.

“This is no easy task,” McGallian said glancing around the two story interior and on site brewery.  “You will be a great addition to Concord.”

“We really want to be the place where friends hang out,” Wilson said. “And Concord really opened the doors for us. Thank you.”

Wilson and Culbertson met as co-workers and quickly discovered each other’s interest in craft beers. Williamson grew up helping with his dad’s weekend home brewing. By the time he was “of age,” he was perfecting his own brews.

Culbertson’s passion ignited several years ago when he received a home-brew kit as a gift.

The new brewery joins some 40 others on Contra Costa’s growing Beer Trail. This includes Concord’s Epidemic Ales and The Hop Grenade. Side Gate Brewery and Beer Garden officially opens to the public Fri., Sept 10.

Find out more at sidegatebrewing.com