(Vanguard’s product line will be called Caiseal Beer & Spirit Co. It’s pronounced “Cash-il.”)

Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones

You heard it here first….breaking news about the Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery, the venue and music hall that will occupy the former Armory in Hampton. They have just hired a Head Brewer and Distiller, Todd Emr.

Todd has brewed for the last three years at the award-winning Half Moon Bay Brewing Company brewpub, in San Mateo County south of San Francisco. Half Moon’s bona fides include a shout-out from Men’s Fitness Magazine as one of America’s Top Ten Brewpubs as well as recognition by Coastal Living and Travel + Leisure Magazines. Todd previously worked at Old World Spirits, handcrafting gin, vodka, and whiskey. He will lead the brewing and distilling program at the Vanguard, and the product line will be Caiseal Beer & Spirit Co. It’s pronounced “Cash-il.”

Todd’s background in both brewing and distilling is a perfect fit for the Vanguard.  He and his wife Amelia (they’re newlyweds!) recently visited Hampton Roads to meet the Vanguard crew and vice versa, and the visit led to a job offer which Todd accepted. Todd and Amelia will be relocating from the San Francisco Bay area back to the East Coast to help launch the Vanguard. They met at Johns Hopkins where they earned Bachelor’s degrees (his is in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, hers is in Psychology). Todd and Amelia will join the Vanguard team, which includes Conor Halfpenny as Vice President of Brewing and Distilling Operations.  The Vanguard is scheduled to open in October of 2017, and promises to be an exciting and unique venue that will combine craft brewing and distilling with a restaurant and music venue in a landmark building.

Look for more announcements to come soon in this column. Next month we plan an update on the Vanguard’s progress and plans.