Welcome to part 4 of The Beer Guy’s celebration of “The Week After American Craft Beer Week” (“TWAACBW” for short), where we are highlighting four different craft breweries. On Tuesday, we met Jeff Erickson, a homebrewer for South OC Brewing. On Wednesday, we met Chris Tourre and the good folks at Chicago’s Arcade Brewery. Yesterday, I introduced you to Sergio Bonavita and all the family that is Westfield River Brewing Company. Today, we cap things off and meet Evan Weinberg from Cismontane Brewing Company.
Cismontane Brewing Company owners, Evan Weinberg and Ross Stewart (Credit: Tony Lattimore)
Nestled in the western foothills (or “Cismontane”, meaning “this side of the mountains”) of the Cleveland National Forest and the Santa Ana Mountains, in south Orange County, lies the city of Rancho Santa Margarita. In a somewhat empty business park there this past Sunday afternoon, Tuesday’s feature TWAACBW subject, Jeff Erickson, and I arrived at Cismontane Brewing Company. You wouldn’t know it’s a brewery just by looking at the building, it’s that nondescript. But when we found a sign outside the door proclaiming “We Have Beer” and hops growing on rope stretching from the building to the ground, we knew we were in the right place.
Inside, there was a bustle going on with loyal patrons enjoying their favorite brew. This is where brewer and co-owner, Evan Weinberg, welcomed us. Open for a little more than 2 years now, Cismontane recently announced the completed expansion of their brewery from the 1,591 square foot space to slightly more than double the size. Jeff and I got the tour. With the additional space, they hope to increase production from 480 barrels last year to nearly 1,000+ barrels. How you ask? “We’re going to do a lot of things this year…I just can’t tell you about them,” says Weinberg. Stay tuned craft beer lovers, but for the time being, you’ll have to be in Southern California to enjoy their beer. Distribution right now is solely focused on Southern California.
Like Westfield River Brewing Company, the brewery was built themselves, by Evan and co-owner, Ross Stewart. Weinberg was involved in a variety of other fields before making the switch over to beer a few years ago: oceanography, real estate, vineyard & tomato farming (if you’re interested in farming and equipment needed to start, find more here) and software. For him, it’s not about the money, or lack of a salary for that matter. Rather, it’s about “building stuff, the artistry, science and the journey” of making beer that makes it worthwhile. That, and he appreciates the laid back culture that persists in the brewing world. Meet Evan and Ross in this YouTube video (note, the video was taken before expansion began).
Weinberg views brewing beer as if it was a “life process.” The beers created are his children. As with parents of human being children (I would hope), Evan doesn’t play favorites with his “kids.” The Beer Guy and Jeff Erickson can attest to that. After sampling the stout (Blacks Dawn), IPA (ABZ) and Double IPA (Double Rainbow IPA All the Way), among others, it’s hard to pick a favorite.
With the exciting times going on right now at Cismontane, there are still days when Weinberg and Stewart “hit a wall.” Until recently, they handled everything at the brewery from production, kegging and distribution to the marketing and public relations aspects of it all. With the recent expansion, the distribution responsibilities are now being outsourced. Apparently, there’s only so many kegs of beer Evan can carry around and deliver on a daily basis.
The support and outreach from patrons, beer lovers and friends keep Evan “fired up” about the great things going on at Cismontane, though, his family included. Whether it’s spreading the name of the brewery to family and friends or giving a few bottles of beer to others, Evan’s parents are there to help. Evan can always count on having at least one customer. “My dad requires a keg at the house at all times,” he says. Evan, if you stick with your dedication to creating beers that “represent the unique culture and diverse natural aspects of the region,” I am certain you will have even more customers in the years to come.
For a glimpse on just how natural Cismontane is, check out the YouTube video here, on the Native Species Series introduced last year.
What’s on tap now at Cismontane Brewing Company: If I have to pick a favorite from my time at Cismontane, it has to be the aforementioned Double Rainbow IPA All the Way. What’s behind the name? Check out this YouTube video for more. Hilarious.
As for the beer, Cismontane says this 8.6% ABV / 111 IBU Double IPA is complex and overwhelms the senses, leaving some wondering what it all means. Its deep red copper tone is so intense that it is only matched by the array of flavors that waft all the way across the pallet. Malt, hops, caramel, and bite, this beer has it all. Heavily dry hopped with the latest and greatest of hops, Citra. To be perfectly honest this is almost a triple IPA. (from Cismontane website)
About The Beer Guy – A dad, husband, friend and drinker of beer. I review & blog about it all on LifeOfDad.com, the premiere social networking website for Dads. The Beer Guy enjoys IPA’s and Pilsner’s, but will really try any kind of beer. You may disagree on some of his opinions. Let The Beer Guy know. Reviews are published on Thursdays. The mailbag is open on Tuesdays. Read more here to learn about The Beer Guy, who he is and his beer rating methodology.
The Beer Guy, and Life of Dad, promote responsible drinking. Never drink and drive.