From Homebrew to Downtown Gathering Place: Five-0-Five Brewing Company

Five-0-Five Brewing Company started the way plenty of good ideas do: over a beer.

For Michelle and Tim, brewing beer started as a hobby. One day, while enjoying one of Tim’s home-brewed beers with a college friend, the conversation turned to an idea—what if they opened a brewery of their own?

After connecting with a former coworker with experience in commercial brewing, that idea started to feel a little more possible. One thing led to another, and Five-0-Five Brewing Co. began to take shape.

Finding a Home Downtown

When it came time to find a location for the brewery, Michelle and Tim were drawn to Downtown Fremont.

They fell in love with the charm and energy of the district, and Main Street felt like the right place to build what they had envisioned.

Since then, Five-0-Five has grown into something that goes well beyond what's on tap.

People may first walk through the doors for the craft beer, but Michelle says they're often surprised by just how much happens inside the taproom. Over the years, Five-0-Five has hosted graduation parties, baby showers, retirement celebrations, rehearsal dinners and plenty of other special occasions.

On any given week, you might also find people gathered for trivia, live music, Music Bingo, a special event—or simply meeting up for a beer.

The People Behind the Beer

For Michelle, one of the most meaningful parts of owning Five-0-Five has been watching the relationships that have formed there.

Running a small business comes with plenty of challenges, but she says their staff and customers are what keep them going. Somewhere along the way, the line between the two groups started to blur.

One of Michelle's proudest moments as an owner came when employees told

her they had never worked anywhere else where the customers and staff were truly friends.

It's a small comment that says a lot about what Five-0-Five has become.

What began with Tim brewing beer at home has grown into a place where people meet after work, celebrate milestones, discover a new favorite beer, catch up with old friends—and make new ones.

Part of Downtown Fremont

That sense of community doesn't stop at Five-0-Five's doors.

Michelle says being part of Downtown Fremont has played a big role in their journey. She's found a community of business owners who support one another, encourage each other and work together to make downtown—and Fremont as a whole—a better place to be.

Five-0-Five has found its own ways to contribute to that downtown energy. From hosting events of their own to participating in downtown activities, the brewery continues to give people another reason to spend time in the district.

And there's plenty happening this fall.

Five-0-Five will celebrate Oktoberfest September 18–19, followed by its first Fall Fest on October 3. Fall Fest will take place alongside MainStreet of Fremont's Fall Gallery Walk, creating a full Saturday of things to see and do throughout Downtown Fremont.

Stop In and Find Your Favorite

If you've never visited Five-0-Five before, Michelle has one recommendation for where to start: order a flight.

With several beers to choose from, it's an easy way to try a little bit of everything and figure out what belongs in your glass next.

And if you're already a Five-0-Five regular? Michelle says some of the best ways to support the brewery are also some of the simplest: spread the word, think of Five-0-Five when you're planning your next celebration, and don't be afraid to share your feedback and ideas.

Because while the beer may have started it all, the people who walk through the doors are a big part of what has kept Five-0-Five going.