Getting into the spirit of things

Looks like Alameda Point’s “Spirits Alley” or is it Spirits Row is in full swing with between Rockwall, St George’s, Hangar One, and the newly added Faction Brewery.   Just a note, Rockwall apparently will be moving into a different space in that same row expanding their operations in the same building.   The outfit that purchased Hangar One, Proximo, wants to continue the Hangar One brand in Alameda and looks like it will continue to commit to keeping that brand in Alameda for the next ten years.

Proximo is a company based out of New Jersey and according to the staff report has these labels under its wing: 1800 Tequila, Azul Tequila, El Zarco Tequila, Gran Centenario Tequila, Jose Cuervo, Maestro Dobel Tequila, Hangar One Vodka, Three Olives Vodka, The Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Matusalem Rum, Agavero Liqueur, Boodles Gin, and Stranahan’s Whiskey.

Also according to the staff report it looks like Proximo is going to expand production of the Hangar One brand and actually put some money into improving the customer experience by creating a “brand/tourism center” at Alameda Point.  From the staff report:

Proximo’s goal with the five-year build out of Building 22  is to triple the production capacity of the Hangar One vodka brand and create a world class brand and consumer experience in Alameda.  The company anticipates investing several million dollars in the build out of the hangar.

In addition to retail and tasting room staff,   Proximo will need to assemble a full production staff for distilling and bottling. During the first 6 months of the lease term, Proximo will undertake the construction of major tenant improvements to Building 22. Upon completion of those improvements Proximo will receive an “Improvement Credit” in an amount not to exceed $10.00 per square foot ($325,000).   The credit will be received in the form of a “Monthly Base Rent Offset” of $2,850.87 per month until the amount of base rent so offset equals the total Improvement Credit.

Given the development of all these interesting beverage companies in Alameda, I feel like Alameda’s really missing out on a huge opportunity to duplicate something that is happening in Walla Walla, OR WA at a former army base which is a wine making incubator to help flesh out the whole “spirits alley” experience.   Here’s how it works:

The incubators were built by the Port of Walla Walla out of a state economic stimulus grant and are leased to start-up wineries to help them work out the kinks. Adamant and Trio Vintners were the first to open, in 2006. The latest, Cavu Cellars, opened just this past April.

Because they’re meant to foster beginning businesses, rents start out at a ridiculously low $1,200 a month and inch up on a sliding scale, maxing out at $2,500 at the end of the maximum six-year lease, when the wineries have to move out.

“The goal is that you’ll then go out into the community and build another building and put a whole bunch of people to work,” Stinger says.

Of course it could be a beer making incubator or something like that as well.  Just a thought.

In other boozy news, there was an article about the urban wine trail in Alameda and Berkeley.