Sonora Brewing Co.

By JOE CORTEZ

Thomas Silva’s friends keep it real. And when Silva started homebrewing his own beer about a decade ago, their opinions mattered.

“My buddies are realists,” said Silva, a Sonora native who owns and operates Sonora Brewing Co., 28 S. Washington St. “ ey would tell me, ‘Dude, that tastes like s***.’ But then they started to compliment my beers, and then it got to the point where I thought, ‘Maybe I should open a brewery.’ If they’re telling me to rock ’n’ roll, then let’s do it.” e microbrewery has a ve-barrel system and produces in the neighborhood of 40 barrels per month. ere’s the Ditler Ale (4 percent alcohol), LeiLani IPA (7.0), Blonde Ale (4.2), Citra IPA (7.7), Fall Fresh IPA (7.4), No Name Pale Ale (6.6), Trailblazer (7.0), Tribute IPA (6.0) and the Bradford Imperial Stout (9.0).

So, he did.

Sonora Brewing Co. opened its doors on Independence Day 2019 — the city’s rst brewery since 1901, according to Silva.

“Somewhere around there,” Silva said. Sonora Brewing Co. has about a dozen featured beers, with new ones frequently popping up on the menu.

“We have eight real staples,” said Silva, who then proceeded to name nine featured beers.

Silva recently had a contest to name the No Name Pale Ale, but the consensus was that No Name was, in fact, the name.

“ ose are the ones we always have on tap,” said Silva. “ ose are the crowd favorites. And a lot of them are liking our Daybreak Session IPA. It’s 4 percent and super hoppy. It feels like you’re taking care of business, but you can still take care of business.”

Silva gained entry into the world of brewing by watching his father brew in the family garage.

“He’d do non-traditional beers and he’d use extracts,” said Silva. “I don’t do a bunch of crazy beers. If you want to get all weird, that’s cool. But if you want to make some good beer, just stick to the basics. And adjust the awesomeness as you go.”

In addition to the beer, Sonora Brewing Co. o ers a full menu, with appetizers, salads, sandwiches and burgers.

“I would pretty much say we have the best burgers in town,” boasted Silva. “We have a lot of fun options, like our caprese salad and our chipotle chicken sandwich; we have a lot of neat appetizers; our sh and chips are o the chain; and every second-Saturday, we do something di erent.”

On the second Saturday of each month, nearby Bradford Street is closed o for a mini Sonora Brewing Co. festival, with live music and specialty entrees such as oysters, crab or shrimp tacos.

“How can you not have fun if beer is a part of your life?” said Silva. “I have so many friends and acquaintances who are envious of what I get to do for a liv- ing. I’m enjoying what I’m doing.”

While Sonora Brewing Co. is small, expansion has always been a goal for Silva. And that goal is becoming a reality.

“We’ve had quite the setback with everything that’s transpired the last couple of years,” said Silva. “But by third quarter this year we will be on store shelves in Tuolumne County and, perhaps, surrounding counties. So, I’m pretty stoked about that. I’m very optimistic about what the future holds.”

In the end, it’s not just about making beer. For Silva, it’s about making Sonora a better place.

“Did I want this to be a Sonora thing?” Silva asks. “Hell yes! I knew the city of Sonora didn’t have a brewery, and it would be a sweet brewery town. My goal was to better the city that I grew up in.” ●

If You Go

WHAT: Sonora Brewing Co.

WHERE: 28 S. Washington St., Sonora

HOURS: Noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 9 p.m. Friday; 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday INFO: 209-532-1631 / Instagram: @sonora_brew_co / Facebook: Sonora Brewing Company