West Sacramento, Elk Grove breweries independently announce permanent closures

Two Sacramento-area craft breweries, Dreaming Dog Brewing Co. of Elk Grove and Campus Brewing of West Sacramento, announced their impending closures on social media Wednesday.

Dreaming Dog became Elk Grove’s fourth brewery (and first on the city’s west side) when Dave and Liz Brown opened their 2,000-square-foot taproom at 2501 West Taron Ct. in October 2017. Pooches were not just welcome but a major part of the identity: Dreaming Dog’s featured beer this week is the German Shepherd Dogtoberfest Märzen, for example.

The Browns got creative during the pandemic, converting an empty space at the end of a strip mall into an outdoor patio where they hosted live bands. But they weren’t able to negotiate a new lease with their Stone Lake shopping center landlord, and will close Dreaming Dog on Jan. 31, according to a Facebook post.

“There are no words to convey our thanks and gratitude we feel to everyone who has come through our doors. The great bands, the karaoke singers, the comedians, the vendors, the food trucks and caterers, the runners, the dogs, and of course our great customers,” Dreaming Dog’s post read. “The friendships and (camaraderie) have made the journey worthwhile. This is not how we wanted to close our doors, but we are dealing with the hand we have been dealt. We love you all.”

Campus Brewing started as Yolo Brewing before undergoing a name and identity change in June 2020. The brewery at 1520 Terminal St. hosted beer-making classes and allowed beginning brewers to take home their creations in keg or bottle form.

Campus Brewing will remain with near-normal taproom hours as staff attempts to sell off as much remaining beer as possible, according to social media posts from head brewer Dave Weiss. All pints will be $1 off, and full cases of cans will be 30% off.

“(T)o all of you who ever enjoyed a Campus beer, thank you. It’s difficult to explain how much it means to me personally that you would spend some of your money to try something that I made,” Weiss wrote in the post. “That feeling motivates me to keep making the best beer that I can.”

Placerville Brewing Co. & Restaurant was the last area brewery to close its doors, shutting down in June 2020 after 15 years. Goat House Brewing, a brewery and goat farm in Lincoln, remains open while it’s listed for sale.

This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 5:00 AM.