Anaheim Brewery Opens

Dave Lieberman

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Orange County's latest craft brewery, Anaheim Brewery, has had their soft opening at the Anaheim Packing House, the retail center being developed by the company behind the Lab and the Camp in Costa Mesa. The brewery continues the 130-year-old tradition of brewing in OC's original German city.

Owners Barbara and Greg Gerovac have three decades' 17 years' (EDIT: sorry about that!) experience in the brewing business; Barbara's most recent stint was at Union Cattle Company in Hermosa Beach, and Greg just left the Huntington Beach Brewing Company. They've been working for the last several years to get the brewery open in Anaheim's new high-end retail concept at the old Sunkist Packing House and Packard auto dealership. While they get on their feet, brewery tasting room hours are 4-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

At the moment, they're serving four brews: an easy-drinking and not terribly hoppy red, a gold lager that is a good gateway for people who are used to mass-production beers, a very fruity hefeweizen (seriously--it tastes like bananas). Their best beer, however, is their 1888, a steam California common beer with a roasty flavor and just enough hops to be assertive without being overbearing.

The brewery's official grand opening will take place on July 16 and will feature hamburgers, food trucks and a special, brewery-only ale. Growler fills--in the best-looking growler glasses in the county--will be available for the four regular beers. Umami Burger, which will be opening its first Orange County location in the fall immediately adjacent to the brewery, will be grilling burgers at the opening.

Anaheim Brewery, 336 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim; (714) 780-1888; anaheimbrew.com.

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