Sad news for Sacramentans who love some hometown suds. Odonata Beer Co., co-founded by former Sacramento Brewing Company brewmaster Peter Hoey, recently suspended operations. The brewery was founded in 2009 and quicky gained a reuptation of producing some of the Sacramento area's finest beers, including a popular and tangy Saison made in the style of Belgian "farmhouse" ales and a quadruple Belgian-styled beer called Rorie's Ale. Hoey used equipment at Sudwerk Brewery to produce the bulk of his beers.
"We were trying to bring a premium product to market at an affordable price but the margins weren't there to support that business model," said Hoey. "It got to the point where we needed to brew another batch to supply the market and I had to make call (to cease operations)."
Hoey says there's still a two-month supply of Odonata in stores. In the meantime, Hoey's working as a consultant for a number of northern California breweries, including Sutter Buttes Brewing in Yuba City. He's also working with some start-up Sacramento breweries and predicts five of them will open within a year.
"I love helping other breweries but ultimately I want to have my own brand again," said Hoey. "We'll get there."
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