RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Simon Olney and Jim Harte are pinching themselves.  The two are co-founders of the award-winning Ol’ Republic Brewery and forthcoming Roadhouse restaurant in Nevada City.  They are preparing for a March opening of their second location in Rancho’s fast-growing Barrel District, which the two brew masters had no idea existed prior to meeting with the city.

Ol’ Republic is taking over the former location for American River Brewery, which closed last year on Trade Center Drive.  They’ll assume roughly 30,000 square feet of space that will serve as both home to the company’s Sacramento self-distribution center and tap room serving 12 different brews, as well as parlor games, including foosball, shuffle board, pool and darts.

It took years to find the location, which, to their benefit, happened to be in what is arguably the most-beer friendly commercial center in the region at the moment.

“We can’t believe our luck in finding this location because we didn’t know the Barrel District was here,” said Harte, a Citrus Heights native and former wine distributor.  “We have been looking for a second location in Sacramento for almost six years to address the logistical nightmare of doing our deliveries from Nevada City.  We got very lucky when we heard about this space opening up because not only is it a centralized hub point, it’s also a turn-key space for our second home.”

Ol’ Republic’s spring arrival will mark the opening of the seventh tap house to set up inside the Barrel District, a roughly two-mile commercial and warehouse corridor just south of Highway 50 between Trade Center Drive and White Rock Road.  Burning Barrel Brewing Company is also preparing for a spring launch on Sun Center Drive.

Since its opening in 2011, Ol’ Republic, says Harte, has seen robust growth, doubling its 2016 production of roughly 3,300 barrels in 2017 and servicing an equally fast-growing client base that includes Corti Brothers and Total Wine, as well as a new partnership with Raley’s Grocery.

The Barrel District will soon serve as home to the first two distilleries to open since prohibition, according to the city.  Gold River Distillery is already up-and-running nearby on Sunrise Gold Circle.  The forthcoming J.J. Pfister Distilling Company will open on Business Park Drive in March.  Wine-lovers can rejoice in the news of the planned opening sometime this spring of Strad Meadery on Mercantile Drive, which will offer honey-fermented wines.

Currently, the city is putting together plans to roll out district banners to demarcate the various operators’ and their locations.  And, this summer, the city also plans to hold what constitutes as the Barrel District’s inaugural open house, officially rolling out the red carpet for what is fast-becoming Rancho’s home-brewed elixir for post-work commuters and locals alike.

“We recognize the craft beer industry as being one of the fastest-growing sectors and want to do whatever we can to accommodate the industry,” said Amanda Norton, economic development manager.  “We will be working with members to help define the area and this summer we’ll have our first official inaugural event for the district.”

Ol’ Republic is known for its darker lagers and British Ales (Simon hales from Salisbury).  Those include the “Dead Canary,” a Dortmund Export Lager, a “hoppy” black winter Ale called “Midnight Train,” “Cosmic Fly By,” a New England IPA, and “Chocolypito,” described as “an imperial chocolate oatmeal stout.”

Ol’ Republic’s Rancho location will have 12 taps to start, and also will offer beers to go in 12 ounce cans and Growlers.