Coal Sheds of Mare Island

Mare Island, just across the water from downtown Vallejo, offers an amazing glimpse of its history as a vibrant warship factory. Back then, the fuel that powered the ships was stored in enormous “coal sheds” near the waterfront.  Today, a couple of those sheds have been repurposed to brew and serve flavorful beer with intriguing names like “Survivor’s Tale Pale Ale” and freshly-made sandwiches and salads from the Pie Wagon (which was what the shipyard’s food trucks were called back in WWII).  When I go there, I like to sit outside at the picnic tables next to the water and watch the ferry boats shuttle around the Vallejo dock.  There is plenty of seating inside too when the weather is blustery.    

The Coal Shed Brewery is part of a local company, Mare Island Brewing Company, which also operates the Ferry Taproom in Vallejo and the First Street Taphouse in Benicia. I strongly recommend all three locations for slight different experiences and consistently fine beverages and food. It’s exciting to see how the Coal Shed Brewery is so near the Savage and Cooke whiskey distillery and Vino Godfather winery that the 3 destinations are becoming known as the “Wet Mile” because they are that close together.

Mare Island is becoming vibrant once again. But don’t just take my word for it.  Come join my wife and me, and several of your other Hiddenbrooke neighbors, for a beverage with food at the Coal Shed Brewery this Thursday, March 2 from about 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  No reservations are necessary, and pets and children are welcome.  You will be on your own to buy anything from their full menu with no minimum purchase requirements.  If you can’t make it this Thursday evening, then by all means get there sometime soon on your own.  They are open every day except Monday and Tuesday.  

Learn more about Coal Shed Brewery at www.mareislandbrewingco.com/coal-shed and the Wet Mile at www.wetmile.com.

March 2, 2023 Update: 16 hearty souls joined us for the first Neighbor Exchange Meet-up. Our next meet-up will be on April 6 for a Mankas Corner Crawl. Learn more at: www. neighborexchange.org/mankas/