Open again, Auburn's Moonraker Brewing didn't stop during shutdown

It's lunchtime Friday, and Moonraker Brewing in Auburn has just reopened its doors to people who can again take a seat inside: They stand in line at the bar, adhering to 6-foot social distancing, studying the digital menu screen while waiting to be served by two masked bartenders. Out back, tables of small groups enjoy a covered patio that's bigger than it was two months ago, when businesses were forced to close because of the state's stay-at-home order. Others wait in line to order pizza from a food truck. And in a big room just outside his office, Dan Powell, who owns the popular brewing company with wife Karen, emerges from the bar with one of Moonraker's two latest concoctions, each released that day: Enduring Light, a flavorful New England hazy pale ale brewed with Nelson, Citra and Amarillo hops that packs a pleasing pop; and Ripple, a cucumber-line gluten-free hard seltzer with Nelson hops. "We get really creative," Powell says with a smile. That's putting it mildly. While being limited to takeout orders for four-packs and crowlers for the past two months, the Powells were hard at work – growing. "The day we got closed down, we had a plan in place to upgrade the back," Powell said. The expanded outdoor space now includes planter beds, trees, drains, sprinklers and two additional bathrooms. The private space, which Powell said was "always booked" before the shutdown, is larger. The Powells also purchased 16 acres in Cameron Park, where a bar, taproom, events center and production brewer "should open a year from now," according to Dan Powell. As if they didn't have enough going, the Powells had to make time to dive into state and county guidelines to make sure i's were dotted and t's crossed for the reopening. Placer County Health also paid them a visit. "We read it cover to cover," Dan Powell said. "We think we're doing all right." Moonraker was doing all right Friday, and Powell was smiling. He missed the energy. "It's been two months," he said. "You don't have the energy (without the customers). It's nowhere near as fun."