What is Grainbakers?

Grainbakers is the original spent grain breadmaking experience — a hands-on class where guests transform brewery spent grain into delicious artisan bread.

Hosted inside independent craft breweries, Grainbakers combines learning, creativity, and community into a unique night out. Guests make their own bread dough, enjoy the brewery atmosphere, and leave with something they created themselves
 

It’s part bread class, part social experience, and part excuse to gather with friends, coworkers, or family.

Unlike a traditional baking class, Grainbakers is designed to be approachable, fun, and beginner-friendly. You don’t need baking experience — just a willingness to try something new.

Learn more about our spent grain breadmaking experience.
 

What makes Grainbakers different from a paint-and-sip class?

Paint and sip is sitting still, very still. Our classes are more lively, more interactive with strangers and your friends.  Instead of creating something that sits on a wall or ends up in a closet or trash can, you create something you can actually enjoy and want to make again and again!
 

During a Grainbakers class, you’ll:

• Make your own artisan bread dough from scratch

• Learn about spent grain and sustainable food practices

• Connect with friends, coworkers, and other guests

• Enjoy the atmosphere of a local brewery

• Enjoy a beer or a soda! We don't include the a drink but you'll be able to drink whatever you like through the class! Some locations have cocktails and wine. Check the venue's website to inquire about their menus and if they have food offerings to eat before or after class. 

• Leave with dough ready to bake at home
   

It’s an affordable night out that combines an activity, entertainment, and a take-home experience all in one.
 

What happens during a Grainbakers class?

A Grainbakers class is a guided, hands-on breadmaking experience that lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Guests will:

• Learn how to make spent grain artisan bread

• Mix and shape their own dough

• Explore different bread flavors and ingredients

• Get helpful tips they can use at home

• Take home dough to bake fresh
   

Our instructors keep the experience relaxed, social, and easy to follow. This is not a technical baking lecture — it’s a fun night out where you happen to learn a new skill.
 

View upcoming Grainbakers classes and events.
 

Do I need baking experience?

Not at all. Our classes are built for the rookie but have many new techniques and value for breadmaking fans. Grainbakers was designed for beginners. You do not need to know how to bake, understand sourdough, or have any special kitchen skills. Our goal is to make breadmaking feel accessible — not intimidating.
 

What kind of bread do you make?

Our spent grain artisan bread flavors change throughout the year and include favorites like:

• Rosemary and Sea Salt

• Cinnamon Raisin

• Cheddar, Jalapeño and Bacon

• Dark Chocolate and Cherry

• Seasonal creations like Lemon, Blueberry & Poppyseed or "Holiday Breads of the World" in December.

• DOZENS of flavors. We travel with an amazing array of interesting flavor offerings- Midnight Mocha Madness Bread? We've got it!
   

Guests can also get creative with their own additions and flavors.

Every class is designed to be approachable, creative, and delicious.
 

What is spent grain?

Spent grain is the nutrient-rich barley left over after the brewing process. Instead of being discarded, Grainbakers gives this brewing byproduct a second life by transforming it into fresh artisan bread. Spent grain contains valuable fiber and nutrients, making it a perfect ingredient for sustainable baking.

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Where are Grainbakers classes offered?

Grainbakers classes are hosted at independent craft breweries throughout California and select cities nationwide. We partner with breweries that want to offer guests something beyond the traditional taproom experience.

Looking for a class near you? Visit our upcoming events page.
 

Is Grainbakers good for people who don’t drink alcohol?

Absolutely!  While many public classes take place at breweries, Grainbakers is ultimately about breadmaking and connection. Our private events can be customized for offices, schools, wellness programs, and groups who want a food-focused experience without alcohol.
 

What should I bring to a Grainbakers class?

Optional: An apron, a BIG bag to bring things home. 

We provide all ingredients, supplies, and instructions.

Come ready to make bread, meet people, and enjoy a unique experience.
 

Do you give us recipes?

Yes! Our Soft Pretzel class includes the dough, beer cheese dip, and salted caramel mustard recipe cards. Breadmaking comes with our recipe, further instructions, a guide to 40+ flavors, and 100% transparency on where we source our specialty items so you can purchase more of something you saw in class. 

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What cities does Grainbakers serve?

Grainbakers currently serves breweries and private groups throughout:

• Northern California

• The Bay Area

• Southern California

• Select cities nationwide through special tours and partnerships (Boston, Denver, Austin with a few more coming in 2026 and 2027.) 

We continue to expand based on demand, but we are a small company.  We are not part of any national paint and sip chain.
 

If you don’t see your city yet, contact us — we may be coming your way.

 

How much does a Grainbakers class cost?

Grainbakers is designed to be an affordable night out.

For the price of a typical evening activity, guests get:

• A hands-on experience

• Expert instruction

• A fun group activity

• Materials, recipe guides and more to work with when they get home

• A memorable night in a local brewery

It’s an experience that delivers more than just an activity — it delivers a story you’ll talk about afterward.

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Do Grainbakers classes sell out?

Yes, many classes do sell out.

Guests love Grainbakers because it offers something different: a creative activity, a social environment, and a great value in one experience. We recommend booking early, especially for popular breweries and special events. See upcoming breadmaking classes near you.

Do you offer private events?

Yes. Grainbakers offers private breadmaking events for groups seeking a unique, interactive experience.

We host:

• Corporate events- We can bring everything to your office! Participants bake their creation when they get home.

• Birthday celebrations

• Private parties

• Client events, Brand Activations, Corporate Retreats
   

We can customize the experience based on your group, location, and goals.
 

Do you travel for private events?

Yes — Grainbakers travels.

We bring our breadmaking experience directly to offices, event spaces, company retreats, and private venues.

Our team-building experiences are designed to be easy to organize and engaging for everyone, even guests who have never baked before.

We bring the instructors, ingredients, and supplies so your group can focus on connecting and having fun.

Can Grainbakers come to my office for a team-building event?

Absolutely.
 

Our office team-building experiences bring employees together through hands-on breadmaking.

Unlike typical team-building activities, Grainbakers gives everyone a chance to participate, collaborate, and create something together.

It’s a great fit for:

• Employee appreciation events

• Company retreats

• Department celebrations

• Workplace wellness programs

• Corporate offsites
   

Can you customize the class to focus on whole grain breadmaking instead of breweries and alcohol?

Yes. While many public Grainbakers classes happen inside breweries, the heart of the experience is breadmaking, sustainability, and connection.

For private events, we can customize the program to focus more on:

• Whole grain breadmaking

• Sustainable food practices

• Culinary education

• Team connection

• Hands-on learning

• Great pictures

• Mixing up departments and teams to meet new people and get to know other memebers of the company better

Our private events can be designed without a brewery or alcohol component.
 

Why do breweries host Grainbakers?

Grainbakers helps breweries create memorable programming that brings people through the door.

Our brewery partnerships help breweries:

• Activate slower nights

• Introduce new guests to the taproom

• Create repeat customers

• Increase on-site revenue

• Offer something unique beyond beer

We create programming that guests love and breweries can feel good about offering.
 

What makes Grainbakers a good brewery event?

People are looking for more things to do at breweries than simply ordering a drink. 

Grainbakers gives guests a reason to visit, stay longer, and bring friends.

It’s an affordable brewery experience that combines craft beer culture, creativity, sustainability, and community.

Learn more about hosting Grainbakers at your brewery.
 

Who teaches Grainbakers classes?

Grainbakers was founded by Caitlin, who teaches most of our clients with the support of our team of trained instructors who love teaching, connecting with people, and making bread approachable. A few of our specialty programs, like Craft & Culteured or the Beer and Cheese event, are led by Chef Dave. Chef Amna, a Cupcake and cake decorating expert, leads these classes. Every instructor brings energy, encouragement, and a welcoming attitude to each class. Meet the Grainbakers team. Read our experience ethos

 

Still have questions?

Reach Grainbakers' email or by Text. Text 925-272-9415 and one of our team members will get back to you.  Want to write something detailed or longer? Use our Contact Form.

Need a price on a group event? Use our Teambuilders inquiry form. 

Whether you’re looking for a fun night out, a unique team-building activity, or a new way to bring people into your brewery, Grainbakers is ready to help you create an experience people remember.