Provisions Market in Orange, CA

FYI - Portola actually opened inside their building today so while they may have some special stuff just for today, you will always be able to get portola there now.

 

Is the taplist posted anywhere?

 

I don't think they have required a huge number of tasters before at events, but I could be mistaken. (Not sure what they did for GI Migration Week.) Haven Gastropub (same owners) did require a flight for Pliny the Younger this year though, I believe it was only 4-5 beers.

They don't seem to handle events that bring large crowds that well though. For example, I was there last year for Black Friday where they were pouring BCBS/BW and selling singles at 6pm. I was inside with a few friends at a table (drinking Darkstar) and around 5:30 they told us we could start lining up outside to buy the BC bottles/pours. Instead of doing tickets or something we had to stand outside and leave our drinks inside (or chug them I guess). Fortunately, we were able to leave our drinks covered and they held the table while we stood in line.

Outside of events, they have a decent bottle selection, tap list and the food is pretty good. Their higher pricing is usually what turns people off.

 

I believe they keep it updated on Taphunter.

 

Yep, updated 3 minutes ago

Beachwood coffee brews!

 

The BL event was par for the course. I've been there many times since they took over the spot from Bruery but my final visit was earlier this year when they overcharged me for a short pour of an ESBC beer that tasted like it came from a dirty line.

 

To the shock of nobody, Haven Provisions is continually awful.

 

I've never been to Provisions when they were owned by The Bruery, which I didn't know about, what's the difference between then and now? Was it any better?

 

Then it was Bruery beers. It was like a 2nd tasting rm.

 

I actually really liked going there when it was Bruery Provisions. It was really laid back and relaxing. Go in there, have a flight, maybe have a little snack and do some work. It was pretty nice, and the prices were reasonable (to my recollection). I've gone a couple of times since it was taken over by Haven, and it lost pretty much all of its appeal

 

I used to eat lunch in Orange a lot at it was the Bruery Provisions that got me more interested in the Bruery. From a marketing standpoint, it worked on me, but it doesn't seem like they really need it anymore (if they ever did).

 

They also had a great selection of non-Bruery bottles there.

 

i don't think they need it, but it doesn't hurt. i wish they would open a small scale tasting room like that in LA. Orange was kind of pointless. But LA or elsewhere would make sense.

Then again, i wish every brewery i liked would open a facility in LA

 

Something like where several good breweries set up stands/tents in one location, much like you would see at a beer festival, but its permanent and open daily.

 

Basically, the rent there is crazy pricey. From my conversation with the Bruery folks, the rent price was one (if not the) of the main reasons they closed up shop as they were barely making it. keeping that in mind, I understand from a business standpoint for the up-charge on the bottles. However, that is only thing I will be lenient with.

Events are horrible there. I don't know why they plan them the way that they do (Heck even the way they handle younger is crazy). That on-top of the fact of what they make you get in order to taste what you came for is just outrageous.

I actually feel bad for Jeff and Portola, they had wanted in when the Bruery was in charge. Now they are left to watch this crazy show of a bottle shop be run in front of them.

I miss the Bruery provision store, though I still have hope that Haven hires some smart kid out of Chapman that can fix this problem (one who will at least read these forums).

 

that would be awesome. i was just thinking more like what they had going in Orange, except in LA. like what Firestone Walker is doing in Venice, though it would be cool even without a brewing facility. kind of like the Stone tasting rooms. or what Lost Abbey just opened in Encinitas

 

Just for shits and giggles. Here's their reasoning, directly from them back on 1/7/13, and yes I can attest, rent in that area is crazy pricey:

The Bruery Provisions is Closing
Dear Friends of The Bruery,

We at The Bruery regret to announce that we will be closing the doors on Provisions, our retail shop & tasting area in Old Towne Orange. Provisions has been an important part of our company, spawned by our passion for craft beer and the opportunity to introduce others to it. Our decision to shut the doors did not come easy. However, after examining our growing business, increased production capacity, barrel aging efforts, enhanced Tasting Room, and growing membership societies, it became apparent that Provisions is not the best use of our limited resources. We believe that this change will help us focus our efforts on brewing and distributing the best and most creative beer we can possibly brew to provide our customers with the best craft beer experience they can find. We encourage you to read some words on the closing from The Bruery’s Founder & CEO, Patrick Rue, posted at www.thebruery.com/farewellprovisions

The entire Provisions’ stock of craft beers, wines, cheeses, charcuterie and other artisanal products will be discounted this week. Reserve Society and Hoarder’s Society members will receive 30% off beginning Tuesday, January 8th. The same discount will be available to the general public beginning Thursday, January 10th. We will stop food service effective today, January 8th, and retail service will stop on Sunday, January 13th. Beer from The Bruery will not be included in this sale, but will continue to be available at our Tasting Room, in Placentia.

We will continue to serve you and Orange County through our Tasting Room, which is adjacent to our production facility in Placentia. The Tasting Room has recently undergone renovations and now comfortably seats nearly 100 people and offers up to 40 different beers on draft, along with our full selection of bottled beer – all hand crafted by The Bruery. The Tasting Room will also carry a full line of Bruery merchandise. With easy access off the 57 freeway, abundant parking, and fine view of our newly expanded production facility, the Tasting Room will offer a unique setting to enjoy our one-of-a-kind beers.

We owe a heartfelt apology to our many customers who frequented Provisions and made it their local hangout and beer shop. We thank you for your nearly three years of support as we’ve enjoyed serving you and sharing so many craft beers, wines, cheeses and other delicacies. We hope to see you picking up where you left off - with a flight of beer, at our Tasting Room in Placentia, watching us brew.

Cheers,
Your friends at The Bruery

 

I didn't go to Haven's Younger release this year (I know they put it in a flight this year), but last year it was fine. They opened at 11am and ID'd and handed out one ticket to everyone on the way in. After you were seated, you could order your pour of Younger using the ticket. They didn't have a big crowd that day and handed out an extra ticket to everyone there. Anyone that showed up by 11 could have easily had 2 pours. Yes, Haven pricing and all (I think it was $8 for a 12oz pour), but was laid back and seemed like a better option than most other places pouring Younger.

That being said, I have about zero interest in going to a Younger release again, not worth the effort.

 

I went to 2014 Migration week event. Had to purchase a cheese plate and full sampler set to access the rare stuff. I think I dropped $70 on that day and haven't been back since.