Made in the Valley: 559 Beer

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- Tucked away in the heart of Old Town Clovis you can find valley pride by the bottle.

Central valley native Rhett Williams started 559 beer as an ode to his home and what it's best known for.

"It's through and through for the valley, by the valley people... it's cool to see people light up when they have it when they really put that together." said Rhett Williams, 559 Beer. "From our peach beer... to our fig beer too. We do other agriculture beers we do a pepper beer, a pistachio beer, a pomegranate and an almond beer."

With family on both sides living and growing in the valley, the idea was to make a beer not just from the 559 but for the 559.

"I want them to drink that and be proud of being from the 559," said Williams.

The family owned and operated business is best known for their Wawona Peach Ale, or WPA.

"When its 110 degrees in Fresno and you're like 'Ohh my gosh, it's 4 o' clock and I'm so dead after work,' I'll have a peach beer," said Williams.

It's safe to say they don't have to travel far for some of the freshest ingredients.

"The peach beer is straight from the farm, which is like a mile and a half from here. I mean you cant get more local than that."

First licensed in early 2012, the brewery began production in Clovis with distribution throughout Fresno County. The operation takes 2 to 6 weeks depending on the type of beer.

"First we start with our mashing, at the top of the brew kettle, and from there we'll add our peaches into that. From the peaches, we'll then take to the brew kettle."

After adding more peach and hops, it goes through the fermentation process for 5-7 days.

"We'll let it cellar for another 7 to 10 days, and then from there we'll package it off to bottles."

Instead of paper labels, each bottle is ceramically fired with their farm to table story.

------

Learn more at 559.beer