Two Ass Brewing Company celebrates 1st anniversary in Downtown Auburn

After years of planning, persistence and pandemic delays, Two Ass Brewing Company is celebrating a major milestone – its first anniversary – with a community party this Saturday, July 19, from noon to 6 p.m. at its Downtown Auburn taproom at 140 Hoffman Ave., behind Old Town Pizza. The celebration, which is open to the public, will feature the release of two new beers, a food truck, raffles, exclusive merch specials and a toast to a remarkable first year that now includes statewide recognition. Just this week, Two Ass Brewing's Märzen and English Porter took home bronze and silver medals from the California State Fair Commercial Beer Competition, one of the most prestigious craft beer contests in the state. "We had this vision in 2020 – two families coming together to create a brewery rooted in friendship and community – but the timing wasn't on our side," said co-founder and brewer Chris Haupt. "It took four years of patience and hard work, but Auburn believed in us – and now we're honored not only to be here but to be winning awards for the beers we love to make." Founded by longtime friends Haupt and Kris Bartow, Two Ass Brewing was co-founded in 2020, with construction delayed until 2022 due to the pandemic. When the brewery and taproom finally opened in mid-2024, it quickly became a Downtown Auburn staple, welcoming beer lovers with its quirky donkey mascots, warm atmosphere and malt-forward beers. "There are a lot of great breweries in the region," said Bartow, "but what sets us apart is our focus on malt-forward, lager-based styles. We're all about balance, drinkability and depth – beers that are flavorful without being over the top." Anniversary celebration highlights include special beer releases of California Diamond – a fresh, all-local IPA brewed with ingredients sourced entirely from Northern California farms; Doc Brown – a malt-forward American Brown Ale brewed just for the occasion; and award-winning pours of medal-winning Märzen and English Porter on tap. Also, the JJ's Fusion Eats food truck serving burgers and chicken sandwiches, raffles and giveaways of local prizes and brewery merch, and taproom specials of exclusive anniversary discounts on merch and pours. "This anniversary means everything to us," Haupt said. "After four years of setbacks, delays and late nights, we finally opened our doors – and Auburn showed up for us. This celebration is really for them. We wouldn't be here without this community." For more information, visit www.twoassbrewing.co or follow @twoassbrewing on Instagram and Facebook.