The most popular beer on tap so far at Manteca’s new Brethren Brewing Company is dubbed “First of the Mantecans.”

Inspired, no doubt, about the “business plan” its owners and investors have for the future of downtown Manteca.

Owner Daniel Machado’s goal is not to just keep rolling out new beer to flow from Brethren’s 16 taps.

He also hopes to be a catalyst for creating a strong community investment in downtown as the place for Mantecans to enjoy with friends and family.

Machado’s business venture will be joined in the coming months by another being launched by a fellow lifelong resident of Manteca — Chris Teicheira’s Deaf Puppy Comedy Club. It’s opening in the next block to the south of Brethren Brewing that’s located in the 200 block of  North Main Street.

Machado’s business venture will be joined in the coming months by another being launched by a fellow lifelong resident of Manteca — Chris Teicheira’s Deaf Puppy Comedy Club . It’s opening in the next block to the south of Brethren Brewing that’s located in the 200 block of North Main Street.

Machado envisions more businesses aimed at inspiring people to gather — restaurants and similar venues — to anchor efforts to take downtown to the next level.

In doing so, other niche specialty shops and such are likely to follow in a bid to make downtown more walkable.

Food is available at Brethren Brewing that opened Jan. 8. But it is provided by food truck vendors.

That way, Brethren Brewing can concentrate on doing what it does best — crafting good beer.

“We’re really good at making beer,” Machado noted.

The business model also allows a wide variety of food choices. And, if a food vendor happens  to bomb with guests, then they just find a replacement vendor.

The tasting room has a clean modern industrial look with seating for 60.

The  is also another 40 outside seats in a space protected from the sun.

The fact there are no TV screens to be found is by design.

“We want this to be a place where friends can meet and families can enjoy themselves and have good conversations,” Machado said.

Brethren Brewing is also kid friendly. They offer craft soda as well as offering two waters “on tap” guests can access by themselves in the tasting room including one  that is distilled.

They also offer candy pairings such as gummy bears that are suitable for their beers.

While they eventually will have kegs and possibly bottled beer, guests can bring their own growlers — they can’t be from another brewery — to purchase beer to take home.

Brethren Brewing is open Wednesdays through Fridays 2 to 9 p.m. Saturdays noon to 9 p.m., and Sundays noon to 7 p.m.

The grand opening event is planned for Saturday, Feb. 4, from noon to 9 p.m.

 It will  feature four different  food vendors:

Machado ‘s passion for the community is as strong as his passion for beer.

The same goes for the 103 members of the Founders Club. Each member put up $1,000 apiece to help make Brethren Brewery possible.

While they all love beer, they also share Machado’s dream to see downtown Manteca transformed into a community gathering place on a daily basis and not just special events that now take place at The Veranda, MRPS Hall, the Legion Hall, and the FESM Hall next door.

In return for their $1,000, each of the 103 people received a Founders Club T-shirt.

Machado’s passion for Manteca also includes a love of its history.

He’s more than happy to share the history of the new home of Brethren Brewery.

It was built as the first South San Joaquin Irrigation District office in Manteca 103 years ago after the headquarters was moved from Ripon.

Back then Main Street that the tasting room fronts was Hogan Road before it became Highway 99 in the 1920s through 1955.
 

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com