Although Temecula is known for wine tasting and hot air balloons, lately people are starting to ask, What breweries are in Temecula? The craft brew scene has produced a number of breweries in Temecula for locals and visitors to Temecula.
A number of small independent, craft breweries are located in the west, including Black Market, Wiens, Aftershock, Ironfire, and Refuge. Here are eight ways to stay and experience this casual, picturesque valley.
1. Pechanga Microbrew Festival
This is a fun afternoon for beer enthusiasts! Wiens Brewing Company of Temecula, regional microbreweries like Ballast Point Brewing, Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, and Left Coast Brewing; and dozens of other locally recognized and widely known breweries are showcased at Pechanga Resort & Casino’s popular, annual, craft brew festival. The event also includes a chili cook-off competition among the highly acclaimed chefs of Pechanga’s premier restaurants. Attendees can savor microbrews, sample gourmet chili, and enjoy live music and entertainment. Pechanga supports designating a driver. In the past, tickets include those for full-experience attendees ($40 per person) as well as designated driver guests who choose not to drink ($25 each).
2. Black Market Brewing Company
Established in 2009, producing high quality, award-winning handcrafted ales, Black Market Brewing Company is Temecula’s original craft brewery with over 30 years brewing experience. Consistently 25+ beers on tap. Always pushing the limits of craft beer, and always experimenting. House made sodas on tap as well. The popular, Bavarian-style Hefeweizen is a refreshing, beautifully balanced, unfiltered wheat beer with subtle, fruit and spice character. In the spirit of the German purity law, Black Market Hefeweizen is brewed using only malt, hops, yeast, and water. The Revolution oatmeal stout is smooth drinking with just enough oats to give the chocolate and roasted malts a silky smooth finish. Liberation (Imperial IPA) is a smooth drinking malt and hop powerhouse; the malt and hop character are kicked up a few notches and hide its strength (9.5% ABV). Located in the Uptown Temecula district, the Black Market tasting room is open Monday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 1-9 p.m.
3. Wiens Brewing Company
Collaborating as home-brewers since 1995, Pete and Ben Wiens opened Wiens Brewing Company in 2012; in the years between Pete earned a degree in fermentation science at U.C. Davis, and a dozen years of professional, brewery production experience. The deep-golden Front Street Lager is medium-bodied with a honey-sweetness and a slight grassy/hoppy end. Bigger and hoppier than typical amber lagers, Old Town Amber is brewed to focus on the malts (five varieties), has roasted malt, caramel character, and a spicy hop finish. The seasonal Wiensfest is a U.S. version of classic Oktoberfest style with minimal hop aroma, medium body, toasted malty-bready flavors, and a clean finish. Located west of the Uptown Temecula district (across the river), the Wiens brew house is open Monday-Thursday, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, 1-8 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m.
4. Aftershock Brewing Company
After 27 years of steady brewing, Aftershock Brewing Co. opened in 2012 as a small, artisan brewery dedicated to creating flavorful beers with character and subtle nuances. Aftershock produces Tremor, traditional pale ale, as well as beers like Faultline, a huge Imperial IPA (9.3% ABV) with a balance of hops and malt. Magnitude is a California adaptation of classic Belgian pale ale, and Pinacate (Aftershock’s lightest beer) is very easy drinking with a great chili flavor and aroma (Fresno and Guahillo chilies are added cold after fermentation). Located just south of Downtown Old Town Temecula, the Aftershock brewery and tasting room is open Monday-Tuesday, 3-8 p.m.; Wednesday-Sunday, 1-8 p.m.
5. Ironfire Brewing Company
With a maverick tagline (“our ales are for outlaws”), Ironfire Brewing Company was established in 2012 with a mission of producing unique ales and lagers. Brewed in the style of So Cal IPA, the copper in color Synner pale ale is dry on the palate with a distinctive hop aroma and flavor. Vicious Disposition is brewed in the style of an Imperial Porter with local avocado honey, has complex malt flavors, and a rich and buttery finish. Located west of Uptown Temecula (across the river), the brewery tasting room offers rare specialty beers and barrel-aged seasonals, Wednesday-Friday, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m.
6. Refuge Brewery
Established in 2012 and with the tasting room located in the middle of the brewery operations, Refuge Brewery handcrafts Belgian-style ales as well as porters, brown ales and hefeweizens by brewing 10 barrels of beer at a time. Abby Road is a Belgian-style golden wit, with orange and coriander notes, and a lightly hoppy finish. Exile is an American pale ale with caramel and malt flavors, lightly hopped to a balance. Located southwest of Uptown Temecula (across the river) the Refuge Brewery tasting room is open Wednesday-Friday, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, 1-8 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m.
7. Brewery tours of Temecula
Especially midweek (Monday-through-Thursday) with potential opportunities to meet Temecula’s talented and passionate craft brewers in-person, an afternoon with Brewery Tours of Temecula is ideal for learning about the beer-making process and different styles of beer, and tasting the local, craft brews. By advance reservation, Brewery Tours of Temecula offers both public and private group tours with a knowledgeable tour guide to answer questions; tasting notes, souvenir tasting glass, and transportation provided.
8. Temecula handcrafted beers at local pubs, bistros and restaurants
Experiencing fresh, locally grown food, and locally produced beverages — including award-winning, premium wines and handcrafted beers — is a popular travel custom. In Temecula Valley, local, premium wines as well as notable, local, proprietary craft beers are available to savor and enjoy at many eateries.
In Downtown Old Town Temecula
- The Public House features Black Market Brewing, Ironfire Brewing, and Refuge Brewery on tap.
- Baily’s and Front Street Bar & Grill offer Ironfire and Refuge
- The Gambling Cowboy has Wiens Brewing.
- Sweet Lumpy’s BBQ has Aftershock Brewing and Black Market
- The Bank Mexican Restaurant, the craft brews of Refuge and Wiens.
- Aftershock is also at EAT Marketplace.
In Uptown Temecula
- Vail Ranch Steakhouse features Aftershock Black Market, Refuge, and Wiens
In Temecula Valley Wine Country
- the Vineyard Rose restaurant at South Coast Winery features Black Market
- Journey’s End adjacent to the acclaimed Journey golf course at Pechanga Resort & Casino also features Black Market.