Grand Opening of Elk Grove's Flatland Brewing Draws Huge, Happy Craft Beer Drinking Crowd

January 23, 2016 |

Memo to Elk Grove Economic Development Director Darrell Doan - if you are searching for a growing industry to stoke the local economy, consider reaching out to the burgeoning microbrewing industry. If last night's grand opening celebration of Flatland Brewing Company was any indication, there is an enormous untapped market right here in Elk Grove.

Flatland Brewing, which took over operations of the former HandCraft Brewing and Supplies, debuted the revamped facility last night to several hundred people. The crowd included a wide demographic swath including everyone from young families to Millennial hipsters to Baby Boomers, some with grandkids in tow.

Flatland Brewing's owner and brewer Andrew Mohsenzadegan

Beer lovers enjoyed a variety of Flatland Brewing owner and brewer Andrew Mohsenzadegan's creations including Royal Quail (English dark mild), Uprising (Saison), Brass (German Amber) Post Hop (Double IPA), Newtella Brown Ale, and Derailed (Imperial Stout). Several people also noshed on food from the E.A.T. food truck - Easy, Artisan, Tasty.

Although multi-national brewers like InBev, owner of Budweiser and several other labels, are experiencing flat and even shrinking markets, with an ever increasing focus on locally sourced and produced foods and beverages as part of the farm to fork movement, microbrewers, also known as craft brewers, are experiencing expanding markets. According to Brewers Association, a craft brewer trade group, in 2014 craft brewers enjoyed a 17.6-percent growth rate, and though tiny, the craft brew exports expanded by 36-percent.

The Brewers Association also reports this growing segment of brewing contributed $55.7 billion to the U.S economy in 2014 and provided a total 435,000 jobs. In California alone, craft brewers added about $6.8 billion in economic activity.

"With a strong presence across the 50 states and the District of Columbia, craft breweries are a vibrant and flourishing economic force at the local, state and national level." Bart Watson, Chief Economist for the Brewers Association said. "As consumers continue to demand a wide range of high quality, full-flavored beers, small and independent craft brewers are meeting this growing demand with innovative offerings, creating high levels of economic value in the process."

When asked about the positive response to his grand opening, while drawing drafts Mohsenzadegan said he was pleased noting that he was not sure what sort of crowd to expect given the rainy weather. 

"I expected maybe 75 people, I had no idea," he said. "I am very surprised and happy."

Flatland Brewing is located at 9183 Survey Road, Suite 104, Elk Grove. Hours and more information can be viewed on their website.