Sherwood Brewing Co. opens in CA

Modern Brewery Age, Jan 22, 1990

Sherwood Brewing Co. opens in CA

The Sherwood Brewing Co., a brewpub in Chico, CA, opened its doors for the first time in November.

Sherwood was given its unique name because the original "Robin Hood" motion picture starring Errol Flynn was filmed near Chico, and today, the town holds a yearly "Robin Hood Day," said the brewpub's executive secretary Stacey Saxton.

Mark Cole and Dwayne Saxton make up Sherwood's general partners, while John Abbot, assistant brewer, will be responsible for producing the brew. Stacey Saxton reported that several products are currently in production, including Robin of Luxley Lager; Little John specialty brew, a raspberry ale; Gallow's Oak Amber; and Maid Marion Mead Ale.

"Maid Marion is my own creation," Stacey Saxton said, "with a taste like a fine, dry champagne."

Sherwood will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony February 16, which will include the Chico Chamber of Commerce and the Anchor Brewing Co.'s jazz band.

"We started on a shoe string with no backer or banks," Stacey said. "Instead, we went with a limited partnership and now we're doing very well and we'll be in the black in a couple of months."

Stacey noted that there is no smoking at the bar, with a variety of diversions are provided, including darts, pool, chess and backgammon.

"Monday night is Grateful Dead night, when everyone wears their tie-dye and we listen to boot-leg Dead tapes," Stacey said. "People have been known to come all the way from Sacramento."

The Sherwood Brewing Co. also boasts jazz, blues and accoustical folk music on different nights of the week.

In addition to the products brewed on-premise, Sherwood also serves a rotating selection of micro-produced beers from 20 taps, including products from Anchor, St. Stanislaus Brewing Co., Nevada City Brewing Co., Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Santa Cruz Brewing Co.

The pub also serves 16 wines by the glass with a selection of 300 bottled California and French selections.