There has been another new brewery added to the blooming Inland Empire beer scene. In January, Our Brew opened in Redlands. It’s right across from Ritual and in the same complex as the Bootlegger’s Redlands taproom – although Bootlegger’s recently closed that location.
Our Brew is the coming together of three homebrewers: John Hurst, Larry Bittner, and Steven Alexander. Hurst explains that he’d been homebrewing for ten years. The decision to go pro happened when he brought a couple of kegs to a party at Alexander’s house. “I met Larry, who truly loved my milk stout, and we started talking about what it would take to open up a brewery. A few empty kegs later, we were opening.”
Prior to opening they’d won several homebrew medals. The most decorated has been Hard You Who? – the same milk stout that everyone enjoyed at the party. Most notably it won Gold at Hangar 24’s homebrew competition. It’s part of the brewery’s core opening line up.
“We brew a wide variety from blondes and wheats to IPA’s, porters, and stouts,” adds Hurst, “We’ve included smoothie-type sours and plan to continue to develop those flavors.” They’re still brewing on a 1-barrel pilot system, which Hurst notes that they “seem to be outgrowing rather quickly.”
In addition to Hard You Who? other core beers include Chaparrita’s Cream Ale, Gunga Galunga Hazy IPA, Peanut Butter Golden Stout, Mima’s Porter, Verbogen (a rotating fruit wheat series), and a chile series. They also list a Mocha IPA, and a variety of hazy’s and sours on their website. Currently, everything is sold in cans as they’re still awaiting approval on the taproom. Once that happens, the plan is to have 24 active taps, adding crowlers and growlers.
The three owners share responsibilities. Hurst takes the title of CEO, Bittner the COO, and Alexander the CFO. Bittner has been heading the brewing operation, and Alexander the financials, as well as sales and distribution. They’ve also hired a head brewer in Aaron Hernandez. “Aaron has worked with a few commercial breweries and has a great mind when it comes to creating new beer recipes,” explains Hurst, “He’s brought in a different style to create a well-rounded line up.” Hurst’s wife, Amanda, is involved with marketing, but she also created and brewed the flagship cream ale.
I’d initially assumed they had moved directly into the unit vacated by Bootlegger’s, but that wasn’t the case. It’s the same street address, same complex, but a different unit. Our Brew actually got their city approval pretty much a year ago at the time of writing. “When Bootlegger’s was still around, we hoped to create a 3-brewery destination,” explains Hurst.
Well, it’s still a 2-brewery destination with Ritual right across the street. And Redlands is a 4-brewery city, making it a perfect spot for a dedicated beer run.
You can swing by now and pick a variety of cans as they wait for the taproom to open. As Amanda Hurst elaborates: “Our Brew is Your Brew.”
For more information read “our” Our Brew Profile
