Walnut Creek’s Calicraft Brewing Co. acquires Heretic Brewery and Distillery

Calicraft, a Walnut Creek-based craft brewery, has acquired the Fairfield-based Heretic Brewery and Distillery. Financial details about the Aug. 5 transaction were not announced.

The move enables Calicraft to increase its brewing capacity and expand its production and distribution, according to a press statement.

The two brands have similar histories and are roughly the same size, according to Thomas Vo, Calicraft’s marketing director and brewmaster. Additionally, the two breweries share a longtime connection: Calicraft CEO Blaine Landberg and Heretic founder Jamil Zainasheff were once in the same homebrewing club, Vo says.

“It makes sense to keep a legacy brand going,” he says. “We’re really focused on preserving Heretic. …That doesn’t necessarily change any of our plans either,” he adds.

Calicraft has a number of ambitious initiatives in the works: It is currently planning a major renovation to its Shadelands location, looking to open a new restaurant and bar in downtown Walnut Creek (which could open in the second quarter of 2025), and expanding to an additional location in Davis. Acquiring Heretic Brewing strengthens the brewery’s supply for its on-premises beer services and supports its planned expansion into cocktails, spirits and wine production, Vo says.

What differences will customers at Heretic see? It will be business as usual, at least at first, Vo adds. “Our goal isn’t to change what’s working.”