WHAT WE DO AND WHY WE DO IT

We craft ales and lagers with an emphasis on controlling the raw materials furthering the expression of a time, place and the people that make it happen. The best beers are always crafted while including the community. The Napa Valley is an incredible place that inspires us to grow, ferment and create: wine, food and beer! We have an endless number of skilled farmers, viticulturists, and just fun people to work with that love the dirt. At the end of the day, beer is kind of like people...we are distinctive, complex, diversified, and prone to be interpreted in many different ways.

HOW WE DO IT

• We source Napa , Mendocino and Sonoma County waters from local reservoirs,  artesian springs and aquifers (no brewing salts are added ever!)

• We use only single variety barleys that are craft-malted that have a known location or sourcing of origin. Variability is expected and desired.

• Our Malt-House began malting our own local barleys in 2016 using the classic 'floor-malting' technique as well as low temperature kilning to preserve grain variety and site character. We malt barley, wheat, spelt and blue corn.

• We purchase locally grown wet hops, dry in our own HOP KILN or OAST HOUSE. We pack and store in our freezer for use throughout the year(s) on our 40-50 different beer styles that are in rotation based on sourcing.

• Our brewery is a 7 BBL (217 gallon) direct fire two vessel ‘Bridge-Town’, ferment in stainless steel with select or mixed cultures, then aged all beers (excluding some IPAs ) in oak barrels and French oak Foeders.

• Our knowledge of fermentation and aging in new and used barrels (elevage) to express nuance rather than overt styling. 

• Our combined experience in winemaking (25+ years) and brewing (12+years ) offers a unique landscape from where we can grow, malt, brew and age beers with a sense of place and personality.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Mad Fritz is a mix of our two children’s names Madeleine (Maddie) and Frederick (Fritz)