Pasadena has long had an affinity for the consumption of craft beer — just look at places like Lucky Baldwin’s — but outside of Craftsman the city hasn’t much promoted the growth of independent breweries operating within its borders. Times are changing though, and the new First Water Brewing Company on Walnut Street will capitalize on it all.

First Water Brewing is the work of David Isaac, a longtime local beer guy with a background in beer sales and distribution. He’s also been around a home brew session or two, and is scaling up with some partners to form his first standalone brewery. The project will operate off a small ten-barrel system, meaning most of what’s produced (at least about 75%) will stay right on site, to be used at the company’s taproom. The smaller size also means it’s easier for Isaac and his team to stay nimble when moving between different beer styles, using local ingredients like sage varietals from the Angeles National Forest to drum up their next brew.

As for timing, expect an announcement on opening dates sometime this summer. Meanwhile, the Tony Yanow-backed Artisanal Brewers Collective is also gobbling up some prime real estate for a new beer-focused venture in Pasadena to come later this year.

First Water Brewing Co.

1117 E. Walnut St.

Pasadena, CA