From a Side Hustle to a Brewery: The Story Behind The Keg Stand Brewing Co.

Every business has a beginning. Sometimes it's a business plan, sometimes it's an opportunity, and sometimes it's just an idea that you can't seem to get out of your head.

For The Keg Stand Brewing Co., it started with a little ambition, a lot of hard work, and a desire to build something of our own.

What started as a side hustle in 2021 slowly turned into something much bigger than we ever imagined.

We didn't start with a brewery, a big budget, or some master plan to become the next big name in craft beer. We started by figuring things out as we went, taking chances, learning new skills, making mistakes, and putting in the work.

And looking back, every step played a part in getting us where we are today.

2021: The Beginning of an Idea

In 2021, The Keg Stand started as a side hustle. It was an idea, a project, and an opportunity to build something outside of the everyday routine.

We didn't know exactly where it would lead, but we knew we wanted to create something of our own.

Around this time, I also started getting more involved in the brewing community and joined the Solano Garage Brewers homebrew club. That experience taught me a lot about the craft of brewing, introduced me to people who shared the same passion, and helped me develop a much deeper appreciation for what goes into making great beer.

There was a lot to learn, and I was soaking up as much knowledge as I could.

2022: Getting Out There

In 2022, things started picking up. We began getting more bookings, more event opportunities, and more chances to get The Keg Stand out in front of people.

What started as a small side hustle was becoming a business. We were meeting new people, serving beer, working events, and slowly building a name for ourselves.

Every booking opened another door, and every event gave us another reason to keep pushing forward.

2023: Building Connections

In 2023, we still didn't have a place of our own. We didn't have a taproom, a brewery, or a permanent location where people could come hang out.

Instead, we took the show on the road.

We spent more time at events and beer festivals, connecting with other brewers, meeting beer enthusiasts, and introducing more people to what we were doing.

Those experiences helped us build relationships throughout the beer community and gave us a better understanding of the industry.

We were building a following without having four walls to call home.

2024: What If We Opened a Brewery?

By 2024, the thought of opening our own brewery had started crossing our minds.

It wasn't necessarily part of some master plan. It was more of a what-if conversation. What if we took everything we had been building and created a place of our own?

We had experience with events, mobile bars, brewing, and connecting with people. We had started to see what was possible.

The idea was there, but we hadn't made the leap just yet.

2025: The Decision That Changed Everything

Sometimes the biggest opportunities don't come with years of planning. Sometimes they show up, and you have to decide whether you're going to take the chance.

In 2025, we made a quick decision and took a risk that set everything into motion.

We decided to purchase a brewery.

It wasn't a decision that came after years of carefully planning every detail. It was an opportunity, a leap of faith, and one of those moments where you either go for it or spend the rest of your life wondering what would have happened if you did.

And just like that, The Keg Stand went from a mobile bar and event business to owning an actual brewery.

A whole new chapter had begun.

2026: Turning the Dream Into Reality

2026 has been about learning what it really means to own and operate a brewery.

There's a big difference between dreaming about owning a brewery and actually being responsible for one. The behind-the-scenes work is something most people never see. The expenses, the employees, the equipment, the regulations, the long days, and all the little things that go into keeping the doors open.

But this is also where the fun really begins.

We're continuing to build The Keg Stand Brewing Co. into the place we envisioned. We're developing new beers, hosting events, working with local food vendors, growing our community, and finding new ways to give people a reason to come through the doors.

We're about a three-minute walk from the Novato SMART Train Station, and we want to continue making our taproom a place where people can meet up, enjoy a beer, discover something new, and just have a good time.

We're still learning, still experimenting, and still figuring things out as we go.

The goal isn't to be the biggest brewery around. It's to build something we're proud of and create a business that continues to grow for years to come.

And honestly, we're just getting started.

It Was Never Just About Beer

If there's one thing this journey has taught me, it's that you don't need to have everything figured out before you start.

You don't need the perfect timing, the perfect equipment, or a million dollars in the bank. You need an idea, a willingness to take a chance, and the determination to keep moving when things get difficult.

The Keg Stand started as a way to build something of our own. A side hustle turned into an event business, an event business opened doors into the brewing community, and eventually one quick decision changed everything.

There were plenty of unknowns along the way, and there still are.

But that's the point. You don't always know where an opportunity is going to take you until you take the first step.

To everyone who has supported us, booked our mobile bar, stopped by for a pint, shared a post, brought a friend, or simply encouraged us along the way: thank you.

You're part of this story, too.

The Keg Stand Brewing Co.

Started as a side hustle. Built on a dream. Fueled by beer. Still just getting started.

Come see what we're building at 1016 Railroad Ave in Novato, California.

Cheers! 🍻