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Rachel and Andrew Sabatine met at a casino in Palm Springs. “We were in line for beer,” Rachel noted.

Fitting, then, that less than a decade later, the couple owns and operates Around the Horn Brewing Company in Groveland.

Both were living and working in Southern California when they met, she in the tech industry and he in real estate.

But beer was their passion. Even so … “You can’t just wake up one day and say, ‘I’m going to open a brewery,’” said Rachel.

So they did what any ambitious couple would do. ey moved to Nashville and got jobs in breweries to learn more about the industry.

“We wanted a change,” said Rachel. “Nashville has an incredible beer scene and it’s more a ordable than Los Angeles. We both were working in breweries while I went back and got my MBA at Vanderbilt (University). And we were working on a business plan the whole time we were there.”

Rachel, whose family owned a home in Groveland before the couple met, and Andrew decided that the Sierra Nevada would be a good place to open

By JOE CORTEZ

their brewery. But not before another sojourn to Tennessee — Knoxville, this time — where Andrew did a threemonth crash course in brewing, while commuting to Nashville for an apprenticeship at a brewery there.

Finally, in the summer of 2020, Around the Horn Brewing Company opened for business — smack dab in the middle of a worldwide pandemic.

“I think we had a bit of an advantage because we were new and we expected it to be a bit rocky,” said Rachel. “We were probably more OK with the unknown.”

Coming out of the pandemic, Around the Horn is making quite a name for itself. eir Hetch Hetchy Haze — a 6 percent hazy IPA — has become a fan favorite.

“We don’t have it all the time,” noted Rachel. “Frequently, but not all the time.”

Around the Horn is also gaining a reputation for its rotating fruited sour series — Tip Top Lollipop.

“We’re always rotating di erent fruit,” said Rachel, pointing out that the series is named for Groveland’s Tip Top Mine. “Right now, we have two di erent versions of that. We have a chocolatecovered raspberry (6.5 percent), and the other is a marionberry-boysenberry vanilla (6 percent).”

And then there’s the beer slushies.

“ ree bikers came in the other day,” said Rachel. “I think they rode in from Turlock. It was really hot outside and they wanted something yummy, but they wanted something with lower alcohol because they had to continue their ride. So, they all got beer slushies. ey were so excited.”

Around the Horn has a small kitchen, serving sandwiches and tacos and pretzels with beer cheese.

“I drink the beer cheese like soup sometimes,” said Rachel. “I know that’s not healthy, but I do.”

Located at 17820 Highway 120, the brewery has been hampered by the road closure into Yosemite National Park.

“With a closure like this, we have to rely more on local patrons rather than tourists,” said Rachel. “And they have supported us like crazy. ey spend their dollars with us and that’s very important to us.” e kitchen always closes one hour before the tap room, and the menu is limited on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Around the Horn Brewing Company is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when it opens at 4 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, it stays open until 10 p.m.

Call 209-436-9919 to place a to-go order. Visit online at aroundthehornbeer.com. ●

If You Go

WHAT: Around the Horn Brewing Company

WHERE:

17820 Highway 120, Groveland

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Thursday; 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

INFO: 209-436-9919 / aroundthehornbeer.com.