What is the story with this place? I looked through all the pictures on Yelp and most of them were of wine and food. There were some logos and pictures which seem to indicate it use to be a winery? There was a picture boasting their medals for wines they entered into competitions... did it go under the name Forty Vines? Then it looks like it transitioned pretty sharpy into a brewery and homebrew shop?? Now they even have a bus that shuttles you to OTHER breweries????? Anyone have any background info for this project?
I don't know. Maybe many will not agree with me but oh well. Don't like the place.. They mostly have ciders and a few beers which are just ok. The food is really good. They offer this ridiculous Phantom Reserve Club membership for $420 (trying to mimic the Bruery?) which gives you special perks. They even have a founders club which believe it or not is $999 a year. How crazy. Phantom Ales’ Founder’s Club ($999) There are 999 haunts here…but there is always room for one more!!! Actually we are much more exclusive than that other Haunted Mansion. Be part of our core group of only Forty-Two (42) Phantom Founders! We will never increase the number of spots in this Club above 42 (yes, this is a number of significance as well), and we are only looking for those special fans and supporters who want to be a founding member of Phantom Ales for life! Along with all of the benefits to be afforded our Phantom Reserve Club, each Founder will be provided their own personal One Liter glass stein to enjoy each beer or cider we offer on draft anytime we are open, at the price of a regular pint (or happy hour or other discount price in effect at that time) (no sharing), a free growler of Phantom beer or cider a month to take home, the opportunity to try new releases before anyone else (and in some cases, beers and ciders available only to Phantom Club members and their guest), special events such as private concerts (in some cases with well-known/famous artists) and exclusive dinners, both at Phantom and at some of the most exclusive locations in Southern California, special deals and discounts in our homebrew provisions and tasting room, and much more (including some special “secret” in-house benefits and access we will tell you about in person). The first year membership fee is $999, and $828 per year thereafter. Founders Club memberships are valid from June 1st to May 31st each year, but any Founders joining prior to June 1, 2014, will receive their full set of benefits from the day they join until May 31, 2015 with no additional fee. RECEIVE § Custom One Liter Phantom Stein,stored and on display in Phantom Ales’tastingroom § One free fill of your stein at each Phantom Founders Club event held at Phantom, on your birthday, on April 2nd, and for our annual anniversary party § Fill and refill your Stein at happy hour discount after the first Stein § 64oz. Phantom growler to be maintainedby the Founder § One fill ofthe 64oz. Phantom growler per monthforthe Founder § Earlyaccess tospecial releases, and some Founder only beers and ciders § Access tothe PhantomClube-newsletter,providinginformationabout member onlyevents,beer and cider releases andmore § 15% off food, drinks and merchandise for Founder and up to two guests each day (Founder must be present) Phantom Ales’ Reserve Club($420) For our Phantom fans not quite ready for the lifetime commitment of our Founders’ Club, our Phantom Reserve Club is the place for you. As with our Founders’ Club, we are limiting our Phantom Reserve Club to 84 people. We will never increase the number of spots in this Club above 84. Each Reserve Club member will enjoy each beer or cider we offer on draft anytime we are open, at the price of a happy hour pint (yes, it is ALWAYS happy hour at Phantom for you) (no sharing), free first pint at all Reserve Club events and on special days, a free growler of Phantom beer or cider on your birthday month and our anniversary month to take home, theopportunity totrynewreleases beforeanyoneelse (and in some cases, beers and ciders available only to Founder and Reserve Club members), special events, specialdeals and discounts in our homebrew provisions and tasting room, and being a Reserve Club member in good standing is the only way to be eligible to join the Founder’s Club (once full). Themembershipfeeis $420 per year. Reserve Clubmemberships arevalidfrom June 1st to May 31st each year, but any Reserve members joining prior to June 1, 2014, will receive their full set of benefits from the day they join until May 31, 2015 with no additional fee. RECEIVE § Happy hour prices on all beers and ciders at all times for the Reserve Club member § One free pint at each Reserve Club event held at Phantom, on your birthday, on April 2nd, and for our annual anniversary party § 64oz. Phantom growler tobe maintainedby the member § One fill of the 64oz. Phantom growler on member’s birth month and our anniversaryforthe member § Earlyaccess tospecial releases, and some Founder and Reserve only beers and ciders § Access tothe PhantomClube-newsletter,providinginformationabout member onlyevents,beer and cider releases andmore § 10% off food, drinks and merchandise for member and a guest each day (Founder must be present) § 10% off keg purchases (once available) and growler fills
I went to Phantom for the first time on Saturday as part of a friend's birthday brewery tour. I did not have a beer since they had nothing that interested me. Good pizza though. Home brewing section in the front. Very close to Bottle Logic and would rather spend my time there.
That's quite bold for a brewery that, to my knowledge, has made exactly one beer available to the public so far.
Of the 9 beers that have any ratings at all on BA, they appear to be middling at best. This seems pretty ludicrous to me that they would have that type of membership out of the gate with the beer they're currently brewing.
