Plans for a new hotel of Stone BrewingCo.in Escondido/California have been put on hold, according to a report by The San DiegoUnion Tribune. The 9th largest US craft brewery originally planned to open a $26 million 100,000 square foot building with 99 rooms located on thirteen acres of land adjacent to Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido in the first quarter of 2018.
But so far, no plans have been submitted to the city authorities making such timing possible, said Escondido’s Director of Community Development Bill Martin. In the meantime, Scottish craft brewer BrewDog announced also plans to open “the world’s first craft beer hotel” in Columbus/Ohio. It has to be seen, which concept will be realized first.
The concept and inspiration for Stone Hotel comes from Stone co-founders, Greg Koch and Steve Wagner and reach back already many years. “You can’t rush a good thing,” said Koch in a press statement last fall. “After originally envisioning a hotel on the property more than six years ago, we had put the project on permanent hold due to our need to focus on our core obsession of brewing. When Robert (Cartwright ) and Untitled Hospitality approached us with the idea of them taking the ball and running with it, we found a partner who was fully engaged in the idea of executing on the Stone ideals, ethos and creativity. Years of thought have gone into the development of Stone Hotel and it will be reflected throughout every corner of the place. I can’t wait to give our fans this amazing extension of the Stone experience.”
According to the statement at the time, “guests to Stone Hotel will delight in a craft beer experience complete from the moment of arrival. An inlay on the hotel’s driveway artistically displays beer flowing from a tap at the top of the driveway down to Citracado Parkway. Alongside rare historical Stone memorabilia, the watchful eye of the gargoyle will be discretely on guard throughout the hotel, and Stone beers will be available upon a moment’s notice.”
As it looks right now, Stone Brewing has shifted priorities. “Stone is committed to doubling its brewing capacity and doing the hotel, but I think they are waiting to complete their European ventures and then come back here and do that,” Escondido Mayor Sam Abed said. “They are still committed, but I think it’s just been put on hold for a little bit.”
Stone Brewing opened last year the first authentic American craft beer brewery in Berlin/Germany and plans to sell 25,000 hectoliters (21,300 barrels) in 2017. In order to achieve this ambitious goal, the company recently hired Marcus Thieme as Vice President & General Manager for Stone Brewing, Berlin. He will lead the team in Germany and is responsible for sales and expansions plans in Europe. He reports directly to Stone’s CEO Dominic Engels in the US and co-founder and executive chairman Greg Koch.
