The Bruery
Encyclopedia
The Bruery is a brewing company based in Placentia, California
founded by Patrick Rue and named as a fusion between his family name and the word "brewery". It opened in 2008and has thus far produced an average of 2,500 barrels of beer annually on their 15 barrel brewhouse and is growing rapidly.
, bitter orange peel and lavender
in their "Orchard White" or bacteria such as Pediococcus
and Lactobacillus
along with Pinot Noir
grapes in their "Pinotlambicus". The Bruery is also notable for their use of oak barrels (both bourbon
and wine) for the fermentation and aging of their beers. Particularly, they have become well known for their strong bourbon aged ales that can range between 13% and 19.5% alcohol by volume
(typical beers have around 3% to 7% alcohol by volume).
One of The Bruery's more infamous beers is a bourbon barrel aged imperial stout
known as "Black Tuesday". This beer is released only once each year on the final Tuesday of October and is named for both the economic downturn of the Great Depression
as well as the disastrous day at the brewery when it was first brewed. Several batches are brewed and aged in oak barrels to later be blended to taste and bottled for release. It was first released in October 2009 and was 19.5% abv. The October 2010 release was 18.2% abv. There are also several variances of Black Tuesday including Chocolate Rain, a version of the beer with cocoa nibs and vanilla beans added to it.
Orchard White is an unfiltered, bottle conditioned Belgian-style witbier. This hazy, straw yellow beer is spiced with coriander, citrus peel and lavender added to the boil and whirlpool. A spicy, fruity yeast strain is used to add complexity, and rolled oats are added for a silky texture. Orchard White is available to be filled in a growler (beer bottle
) at their tasting room located in Placentia, CA.
ABV: 5.7%, IBU: 15, SRM: 3
Orchard White was named one of the top 25 beers of 2008 by DRAFT Magazine and was given an "A" rating by Beer Advocate Magazine in Vol. II Issue IX as well as Forbes.
Saison Rue
Saison Rue is an unfiltered, bottle conditioned, Belgian/French-style farmhouse ale. This is a beer of subtlety and complexity, with malted rye, spicy, fruity yeast notes, biscuit-like malt backbone, and a slight citrus hop character. With age, this beer will dry out and will become more complex with rustic notes of leather and earth from the contribution of a wild yeast strain. Being a Saison, Saison Rue is ambiguous unto itself as it is a different beer when fresh and when aged.
ABV: 8.5%, IBU: 30, SRM: 9
Mischief
Mischief is a Hoppy Belgian-Style Golden Strong Ale. This wickedly good golden ale is fiendishly dry-hopped with American hops to add a layer of complexity and mystery to its fruity, dry Belgian-style character. Citrus and resin diabolically combine with ripe melon, pear and slight peppery spice in a precariously effervescent mixture. Mischeif is available to be filled in a growler at their tasting room located in Placentia, CA.
ABV: 8.5%, IBU: 35, SRM: 5
Rugbrød
Meaning rye bread
in Danish, the inspiration for this beer is from the Danes' staple dark, whole-grain rye bread known of the same name (rugbrød
). Brewed with three types of rye malt, this robust brown ale showcases the earthy, spicy character of the grain, complemented by bready, nutty barley malts and a hint of roast. Loosely based on the Scandinavian Christmas beer or "Julebryg" tradition, this beer is perfect for the colder weather of winter, although it is available year-round. Rugbrod is available to be filled in a growler at their tasting room located in Placentia, CA.
ABV: 8%, IBU: 30, SRM: 18
Hottenroth Berliner Weisse
Hottenroth Berliner Weisse is brewed in memory of Fred and Sarah Hottenroth, Patrick Rue's grandparents. This tart German-style Berliner Weisse
is as authentic as it gets. Lactobacillus and a hint of brettanomyces are used to sour this very unusual, low gravity wheat beer. To cut the tartness for those with sweeter tastes, raspberry or woodruff syrup is a traditional way to sweeten the beer.
ABV: 3.1%, IBU: 2, SRM: 2
Loakal Red
Loakal Red is an oak-aged American Red Ale. A hoppy red ale at heart with the citrus & floral notes of the Centennial hop to balance the light caramel sweetness of the malt. A portion of an older batch, left to mature in new American oak barrels, is blended with the fresh dry-hopped batch. The resulting blend has notes of toffee, orange peel, crushed herbs, vanilla & freshly sawn oak, for a beer that is intricate yet unassuming.
ABV: 6.9%, IBU: 35, SRM: 12
Loakal Red is only distributed in The Bruery's hometown of Orange County, CA.
Seven Grain Saison
A spin on a classic style brewed using barley, oats, wheat, rye, corn, rice and spelt. The grains gracefully combine into a tasty brew that finishes dry and with a light hoppy finish. This beer is released with regularity on draft, but has never been bottled.
ABV: 5%, IBU: 35, SRM: 6
Humulus Lager
Humulus Lager is an India Pale Lager, opposed to the more classic India Pale Ale
. It is an extremely aromatic hoppy beer, with citrus, pine, and intense herbal characteristics. We brew this beer with more than 3 lbs. of hops per BBL, and it shows. We also use rice, a typically despised ingredient in beer, to lighten the body and make it more true to the American lager style. This beer is released with regularity on draft, but has never been bottled.
ABV: 7.4%, IBU: 70, SRM: 5
The Bruery's Spring saison is light blonde in color with a fresh hoppiness and a wild and rustic Brettanomyces character. Lighter in color and alcohol than Saison Rue, yet equally complex in its own way. Perfect for warmer weather and Spring celebrations.
ABV: 6.5%, IBU: 35, SRM: 4, Release: March - May
Trade Winds
The Bruery's Summer seasonal, Trade Winds Tripel is a Belgian-style Golden Ale with a Southeast Asian twist. Instead of using candi sugar (typical for such a beer), rice is used in the mash to lighten the body and increase the gravity, and it is then spiced with Thai Basil. The result is an aromatic, digestible and complex beer made for a lazy summer evening.
ABV: 8%, IBU: 25, SRM: 5, Release: Summer
Autumn Maple
Brewed with 17 lbs. of yams per barrel, this autumn seasonal is a different take on the “pumpkin” beer style. Brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, molasses, and maple syrup, and fermented with The Bruery's traditional Belgian yeast strain, this bold and spicy beer is perfect on a cold autumn evening.
ABV: 10%, IBU: 25, SRM: 15, Release: Fall
12 Days of Christmas Series
The Bruery's winter seasonal collection is a changing collection of beers named for the 12 Days of Christmas song. Each year a beer is brewed as a vague homage to the corresponding verse and each beer is strong enough to cellar until the final beer in the series, 12 Drummers Drumming is released so that they can all be drank together as a vertical tasting.
-Partridge In A Pear Tree - The first beer in the 12 Days of Christmas series was brewed in the style of a Belgian-style Dark Strong Ale. It was made using Bruery-made dark candi sugar, Munich and Vienna malts. It is dark brown in color, fruity and complex with a rich malt backbone. ABV: 11%, IBU: 20, SRM: 20, released in 2008
-2 Turtle Doves - 2 Turtle Doves is the second in the 12 Days of Christmas Series. Inspiration came from the name and the beer was based on the "turtle" candy, brewing it with cocoa nibs, toasted pecans, caramelized sugar and a lot of caramel malts. Somewhere between a Belgian-style Dark Strong Ale and an Imperial Porter. ABV: 12%, IBU: 25, SRM: 30, released in 2009.
-3 French Hens - Three French Hens is the third in the 12 Days of Christmas Series. Again, some inspiration was drawn from the name and The Bruery decided that at least a portion of this beer had to be aged in French oak barrels. What came out is a bold and spicy Belgian Dark Strong Ale, 25% aged in French oak. ABV: 10%, IBU: 22.5, SRM: 30, released in 2010.
The Bruery has created a special line of beers dubbed "The Provisions Series" that are only sold through their store and their Reserve Society. So far these beers have included Premiére, Gunga Galunga, The Workman's Friend and will be releasing Old Richland barleywine in January.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
founded by Patrick Rue and named as a fusion between his family name and the word "brewery". It opened in 2008and has thus far produced an average of 2,500 barrels of beer annually on their 15 barrel brewhouse and is growing rapidly.
Products
The Bruery's products are considered to be experimental ales brewed in the Belgian tradition. Using a proprietary Belgian yeast strain for the majority of their creations, The Bruery creates a wide landscape of beers through their use of unique ingredients such as corianderCoriander
Coriander is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. Coriander is native to southern Europe and North Africa to southwestern Asia. It is a soft, hairless plant growing to tall. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the...
, bitter orange peel and lavender
Lavender
The lavenders are a genus of 39 species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. An Old World genus, distributed from Macaronesia across Africa, the Mediterranean, South-West Asia, Arabia, Western Iran and South-East India...
in their "Orchard White" or bacteria such as Pediococcus
Pediococcus
Pediococcus is a genus of Gram-positive lactic acid bacteria, placed within the family of Lactobacillaceae. They usually occur in pairs or tetrads, and divide along two planes of symmetry, as do the other lactic acid cocci genera Aerococcus and Tetragenococcus. They are purely homofermentative...
and Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus is a genus of Gram-positive facultative anaerobic or microaerophilic rod-shaped bacteria. They are a major part of the lactic acid bacteria group, named as such because most of its members convert lactose and other sugars to lactic acid. They are common and usually benign...
along with Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
grapes in their "Pinotlambicus". The Bruery is also notable for their use of oak barrels (both bourbon
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
and wine) for the fermentation and aging of their beers. Particularly, they have become well known for their strong bourbon aged ales that can range between 13% and 19.5% alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
(typical beers have around 3% to 7% alcohol by volume).
One of The Bruery's more infamous beers is a bourbon barrel aged imperial stout
Stout
Stout is a dark beer made using roasted malt or barley, hops, water and yeast. Stouts were traditionally the generic term for the strongest or stoutest porters, typically 7% or 8%, produced by a brewery....
known as "Black Tuesday". This beer is released only once each year on the final Tuesday of October and is named for both the economic downturn of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
as well as the disastrous day at the brewery when it was first brewed. Several batches are brewed and aged in oak barrels to later be blended to taste and bottled for release. It was first released in October 2009 and was 19.5% abv. The October 2010 release was 18.2% abv. There are also several variances of Black Tuesday including Chocolate Rain, a version of the beer with cocoa nibs and vanilla beans added to it.
Year round collection
Orchard WhiteOrchard White is an unfiltered, bottle conditioned Belgian-style witbier. This hazy, straw yellow beer is spiced with coriander, citrus peel and lavender added to the boil and whirlpool. A spicy, fruity yeast strain is used to add complexity, and rolled oats are added for a silky texture. Orchard White is available to be filled in a growler (beer bottle
Beer bottle
A beer bottle is a bottle made to contain beer, usually made of glass.Bottled beer has been in use since as early as the 16th century. Beer bottles come in various sizes, shapes and colours....
) at their tasting room located in Placentia, CA.
ABV: 5.7%, IBU: 15, SRM: 3
Orchard White was named one of the top 25 beers of 2008 by DRAFT Magazine and was given an "A" rating by Beer Advocate Magazine in Vol. II Issue IX as well as Forbes.
Saison Rue
Saison Rue is an unfiltered, bottle conditioned, Belgian/French-style farmhouse ale. This is a beer of subtlety and complexity, with malted rye, spicy, fruity yeast notes, biscuit-like malt backbone, and a slight citrus hop character. With age, this beer will dry out and will become more complex with rustic notes of leather and earth from the contribution of a wild yeast strain. Being a Saison, Saison Rue is ambiguous unto itself as it is a different beer when fresh and when aged.
ABV: 8.5%, IBU: 30, SRM: 9
Mischief
Mischief is a Hoppy Belgian-Style Golden Strong Ale. This wickedly good golden ale is fiendishly dry-hopped with American hops to add a layer of complexity and mystery to its fruity, dry Belgian-style character. Citrus and resin diabolically combine with ripe melon, pear and slight peppery spice in a precariously effervescent mixture. Mischeif is available to be filled in a growler at their tasting room located in Placentia, CA.
ABV: 8.5%, IBU: 35, SRM: 5
Rugbrød
Meaning rye bread
Rye bread
Rye bread is a type of bread made with various percentages of flour from rye grain. It can be light or dark in color, depending on the type of flour used and the addition of coloring agents, and is typically denser than bread made from wheat flour...
in Danish, the inspiration for this beer is from the Danes' staple dark, whole-grain rye bread known of the same name (rugbrød
Rugbrød
Rugbrød is a very commonly used bread in Denmark. The common rugbrød usually resembles a long brown rectangle, no more than 12 cm high, and 30–35 cm wide, although shapes and sizes may vary, as well as the ingredients...
). Brewed with three types of rye malt, this robust brown ale showcases the earthy, spicy character of the grain, complemented by bready, nutty barley malts and a hint of roast. Loosely based on the Scandinavian Christmas beer or "Julebryg" tradition, this beer is perfect for the colder weather of winter, although it is available year-round. Rugbrod is available to be filled in a growler at their tasting room located in Placentia, CA.
ABV: 8%, IBU: 30, SRM: 18
Hottenroth Berliner Weisse
Hottenroth Berliner Weisse is brewed in memory of Fred and Sarah Hottenroth, Patrick Rue's grandparents. This tart German-style Berliner Weisse
Berliner Weisse
Berliner Weisse is a cloudy, sour wheat beer of around 3% abv. It is a regional beer from Northern Germany, mainly Berlin, dating back to the 16th century. By the 19th century, Berliner Weisse was the most popular alcoholic drink in Berlin, and 700 breweries produced it...
is as authentic as it gets. Lactobacillus and a hint of brettanomyces are used to sour this very unusual, low gravity wheat beer. To cut the tartness for those with sweeter tastes, raspberry or woodruff syrup is a traditional way to sweeten the beer.
ABV: 3.1%, IBU: 2, SRM: 2
Loakal Red
Loakal Red is an oak-aged American Red Ale. A hoppy red ale at heart with the citrus & floral notes of the Centennial hop to balance the light caramel sweetness of the malt. A portion of an older batch, left to mature in new American oak barrels, is blended with the fresh dry-hopped batch. The resulting blend has notes of toffee, orange peel, crushed herbs, vanilla & freshly sawn oak, for a beer that is intricate yet unassuming.
ABV: 6.9%, IBU: 35, SRM: 12
Loakal Red is only distributed in The Bruery's hometown of Orange County, CA.
Seven Grain Saison
A spin on a classic style brewed using barley, oats, wheat, rye, corn, rice and spelt. The grains gracefully combine into a tasty brew that finishes dry and with a light hoppy finish. This beer is released with regularity on draft, but has never been bottled.
ABV: 5%, IBU: 35, SRM: 6
Humulus Lager
Humulus Lager is an India Pale Lager, opposed to the more classic India Pale Ale
India Pale Ale
India Pale Ale or IPA is a style of beer within the broader category of pale ale. It was first brewed in England in the 19th century.The first known use of the expression "India pale ale" comes from an advertisement in the Liverpool Mercury newspaper published January 30, 1835...
. It is an extremely aromatic hoppy beer, with citrus, pine, and intense herbal characteristics. We brew this beer with more than 3 lbs. of hops per BBL, and it shows. We also use rice, a typically despised ingredient in beer, to lighten the body and make it more true to the American lager style. This beer is released with regularity on draft, but has never been bottled.
ABV: 7.4%, IBU: 70, SRM: 5
Seasonal collection
Saison De LenteThe Bruery's Spring saison is light blonde in color with a fresh hoppiness and a wild and rustic Brettanomyces character. Lighter in color and alcohol than Saison Rue, yet equally complex in its own way. Perfect for warmer weather and Spring celebrations.
ABV: 6.5%, IBU: 35, SRM: 4, Release: March - May
Trade Winds
The Bruery's Summer seasonal, Trade Winds Tripel is a Belgian-style Golden Ale with a Southeast Asian twist. Instead of using candi sugar (typical for such a beer), rice is used in the mash to lighten the body and increase the gravity, and it is then spiced with Thai Basil. The result is an aromatic, digestible and complex beer made for a lazy summer evening.
ABV: 8%, IBU: 25, SRM: 5, Release: Summer
Autumn Maple
Brewed with 17 lbs. of yams per barrel, this autumn seasonal is a different take on the “pumpkin” beer style. Brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, molasses, and maple syrup, and fermented with The Bruery's traditional Belgian yeast strain, this bold and spicy beer is perfect on a cold autumn evening.
ABV: 10%, IBU: 25, SRM: 15, Release: Fall
12 Days of Christmas Series
The Bruery's winter seasonal collection is a changing collection of beers named for the 12 Days of Christmas song. Each year a beer is brewed as a vague homage to the corresponding verse and each beer is strong enough to cellar until the final beer in the series, 12 Drummers Drumming is released so that they can all be drank together as a vertical tasting.
-Partridge In A Pear Tree - The first beer in the 12 Days of Christmas series was brewed in the style of a Belgian-style Dark Strong Ale. It was made using Bruery-made dark candi sugar, Munich and Vienna malts. It is dark brown in color, fruity and complex with a rich malt backbone. ABV: 11%, IBU: 20, SRM: 20, released in 2008
-2 Turtle Doves - 2 Turtle Doves is the second in the 12 Days of Christmas Series. Inspiration came from the name and the beer was based on the "turtle" candy, brewing it with cocoa nibs, toasted pecans, caramelized sugar and a lot of caramel malts. Somewhere between a Belgian-style Dark Strong Ale and an Imperial Porter. ABV: 12%, IBU: 25, SRM: 30, released in 2009.
-3 French Hens - Three French Hens is the third in the 12 Days of Christmas Series. Again, some inspiration was drawn from the name and The Bruery decided that at least a portion of this beer had to be aged in French oak barrels. What came out is a bold and spicy Belgian Dark Strong Ale, 25% aged in French oak. ABV: 10%, IBU: 22.5, SRM: 30, released in 2010.
Special release collection
The Bruery releases a number of small batch beers throughout the year. Often these beers are only made once and never again and sometimes they are oak aged beers that are only released once a year. The collection includes many of their highly regarded beers including Black Tuesday, Melange #3 and The Bruery Anniversary Ale Series. Their Oude Tart is also included in this collection and it won a gold medal in the Belgian Style Lambic or Sour Ale category at both the 2010 World Beer Cup and the 2010 Great American Beer FestivalReserve Society
The Bruery Reserve Society is a club run by The Bruery. Membership in the society provides access to some special release beers and events.The Bruery Provisions
In September of 2010 The Bruery opened a retail establishment in Old Towne Orange that specializes in beer, wine, cheese, charcuterie and other specialty foods. They have a collection of over 400 brands of beer as well as around 80 wines and numerous artisan cheeses. They sell bottles to go and also serve onsite tastings.The Bruery has created a special line of beers dubbed "The Provisions Series" that are only sold through their store and their Reserve Society. So far these beers have included Premiére, Gunga Galunga, The Workman's Friend and will be releasing Old Richland barleywine in January.