Sorry about not updated the blog recently, its been crazy the past few weeks with getting the store prepped and open, but the good news is.... we're open!
Last night we celebrated LA beer week at the store by showcasing some of what Orange County has to offer. We were pouring a special flight of beers from only local breweries including Cismontane, Tustin Brewing, TAPS, Bootleggers and Pizza Port San Clemente. The founders of Cismontane as well as the brewmasters from TAPS and Tustin were on hand talking to all of the wonderful people who came out to participate, and of course our own Patrick Rue was there as well.
It was a pretty wild sight for us to see. After months of talking about opening a place and then more months of working on building the store, it was really cool to see a big group of Old Towne Orange locals coming out to enjoy themselves on a warm Tuesday night. As with opening any business, you have to believe that what you are doing is a great idea, but there is also that lingering thought in the back of your mind that things can go terribly wrong and nobody is going to show up. We've only been officially open for a week or so, but so far it looks like we are going to be here for the long haul.
Of course we have a lot of Bruery regulars and local beer geeks who want to come by and try the great things we have, but its really great to see locals stopping in as well. Its one of our primary goals with The Bruery Provisions to educate people who aren't familiar with the craft beer revolution about the options that exist out there. We almost have to treat it like a farmers market at times. Sure, we all eat lettuce and tomatoes, but it takes some convincing to get out and spend a few more cents on something locally or organically grown. Something that a person put a lot of care into creating for you. Hopefully, with time, people will realize that drinking craft beer and artisan wines and cheeses is tastier and simply more enjoyable.
So far, so good.
Here are a few photos from last night.
Checked out the store for the first time on Friday afternoon Oct 15. Brought my wife in on Sat Oct 16. There were people waiting 5 deep at the deli counter to be waited on and 4 deep at the counter for beer tasters. I walked out after waiting 10 minutes and another 2 people were right behind me. Only 2 people were working on a Saturday afternoon which I would think is a busy time in Old Towne Orange. Hopefully, this is only growing pains. If service doesn't improve I will not be back .
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