Cali’s SLO Brew details move and expansion, which includes cool rentable lofts

The excellently named San Luis Obispo is a city located roughly midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the central coast, which makes it a perfect stop when traveling between the two. San Luis Obispo is one of California’s oldest communities, and its historic downtown is home to SLO Brewing Co., the longest running brewpub downtown since prohibition. Side note: The city is locally referred to as SLO or SLO Town.

In some recent exciting news, SLO Brew announced plans to expand and relocate. SLO Brew is debuting in its new location on Higuera Street early 2016 and will feature an upgraded brewery, restaurant, bar, music venue and a fantastic idea for travel — rentable lofts.

“We’re working very hard to smoothly bridge SLO Brew’s 27-year-old heritage with modern design innovations and amenities,” said SLO Brew co-owner Hamish Marshall. “I think our fans will be pleasantly surprised.”

The new SLO Brew is slated to open early 2016 at 736 Higuera Street, just a few hundred feet away from the original Garden Street location and still in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo. One of the stand-out features to us is that the upper floor above the new SLO Brew will feature the SLO Brew Lofts — urban lodging designed to accommodate any type of getaway. The five spacious SLO Brew Lofts will feature one, two or three bedrooms complete with kitchens, dining areas and living rooms with fireplaces. The fully-furnished spaces are intended to be inspiring to their guests and provide a sense of genuine comfort. In the heart of the SLO Brew Lofts is the Carissa Club for casual entertaining or private meetings. Another highlight of the SLO Brew Lofts is a 700-sq-ft private rooftop deck, overlooking San Luis Obispo Creek and the nearby Mission.

Moving back to the brewery and pub, SLO Brew would not be complete without the original copper brewing kettle and brewing tanks that have been cooking up SLO Brew beer since 1988. The iconic kettle and tanks will be transferred to the new location, and as a new signature amenity, several innovative self-serve taps have been added, offering up a variety of fresh SLO Brew beers. State-of-the-art kitchen equipment and an impeccably appointed dining room attest to SLO Brew’s commitment to an elevated culinary experience. Diners can order gourmet pizzas and mouth-watering burgers, as well as other hot and delicious pub-favorite foods, paired with SLO brews.

Outdoor dining options include seating in front of the restaurant where patrons can take in the passing scene on Higuera Street and creek-side dining on the brick terrace behind the restaurant. A secluded and cozy alternative with fire pits, lunch, cocktails or dinner can be enjoyed there along with views of the picturesque San Luis Obispo Creek.

The expansion of the SLO Brew experience includes the addition of a Whiskey Lounge, located on the mezzanine level and overlooking the stage area. The Whiskey Lounge features comfortable amber-colored tufted leather seating, solid wood tables and a full service cocktail bar, which will offer SLO Brew Rye Whiskey among other popular and artisanal spirits and beer. Reservations for the Whiskey Lounge can be made in advance for parties and special events.

The overall design of the new space will respect the historic nature of the 1905 Carissa Building where SLO Brew is located. The original bones of the building have been exposed, including brick walls and beamed ceilings, with pressed tin ceilings added throughout. Floors will be wide plank Douglas fir with decorative blue and white encaustic tile at the bar, front patio and entry. Natural materials predominate — table tops are wood, the bar is topped with “leathered” finish stone and the bar stools are metal with leather seats.