North Fresno’s Sequoia Brewing Company reopened its doors on October 10 with a ribbon-cutting event attended by community members and local officials. The reopening took place at 1188 E. Champlain Drive, Suite 107, after the brewery had closed in February.
A group of investors, including Scott Miller, president and CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, worked together to revive the business. Alongside partners Will Oliver, Joseph Doerr, Bill Avakian, and Ian Wieland, they formed Second Growth Brewing LLC to bring Sequoia Brewing Company back into operation.
“We have been very lucky to be able to get the people that you all recognize to come back and do this work with us,” Miller said during the event. He encouraged applause for returning staff members. “They are the ones here every day making sure that it is the old Sequoia – the quality you expect.”
The menu now features both familiar favorites and new offerings such as a pale ale, a lager, and two West Coast IPAs.
Fresno City Council Member Nick Richardson shared his personal connection to the brewery: “They made this a community. They made this a home.” He added, “I thank you for bringing back such an important part of this community, and I’m really, really enthusiastically looking forward to all the next adventures that are going to take place in this building behind me.”
Rep. Jim Costa commended those involved in reopening the brewery: “For all the reasons suggested by the risk-takers, these folks that are friends of ours, that have Fresno and our Valley’s interest and economy at heart, this is a good day.” He presented a congressional certificate stating: “This recognition is to the Sequoia Brewing Company on this day to congratulate them on never saying never and always willing to invest in our community, and you invest in so many different ways. So thank you.”
Other officials were represented at the event from offices including state Sen. Shannon Grove, state Assemblymember David Tangipa, and Fresno City Council Member Nelson Esparza.
Concluding the speeches as attendees applauded, Costa said: “Sequoia Brewing Company – we love it! We love you!”
The Fresno Chamber of Commerce encourages those interested in updates about business initiatives in Fresno County to stay connected with their organization.
