Casa Vieja Brewery set for an upcoming change in ownership

I recently received an unexpected text from Gary Socha, owner of Casa Vieja Brewery at 4541 Corrales Rd. It said, verbatim, “Well, it’s official. We are under contract to sell Casa. It will take 6 months to get a new small brewers license for the new owner, but we have a buyer.” I was floored, so I went to Corrales to talk to Gary.

Basically, sometimes you get an offer you can’t refuse. Although Gary still loves what he is doing, he does have another business — his “real job” — and it’s taxing to say the least to do both. Co-owner Maria Socha, his daughter, is also making future plans beyond Corrales. And, there were specific, favorable conditions that were met by the buyers.

The new owners will keep the name, the staff, and the brewer. They share the same vision as the Sochas, which was important to Gary. Dan and Molly O’Brien, the soon-to-be owners, were there the day I did this interview.

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