Haven't seen any post on Ritual Brewing Co out of Redlands. I guess they've been around for just over a year now. The brewery officially opened it's door's to the public last November. I've been meaning to get over there to check em out on the way to Hanger two four. But timing has been off. I was out in Riverside this past Saturday but Ritual didn't open till 1pm. I was finished with business at 11 and on way back to OC. But I did manage to finally make it over to the Bru Grill in Lake Forest with my bro-in-law after having lunch at BJ's. And they did have 3 beers from Ritual Brewing Co on tap at the Bru Grill. They had "Big Deluxe" "Extra Red Ale" and "Tafelbier." After downing a Big Daddy I had the Big Deluxe. A big Imperial Oat Stout coming in at 12.2%. Very smooth and big bite at the end. They do have bottles of the Big Deluxe and I think the Extra Red Ale. Picked up a bottle of Big Deluxe at the Bru Grill and shared it over cigar's back at my bro-in-laws place. Has anybody else been to or had Ritual's beers? No ipa's yet. But the stout is big, smooth and good, IMO.
I have only had the stout that they bottle. It is very good for a brewery so new. All I know about the head brewer is that he use to teach the beer class at Cal Poly Pomona.
I'm sold on Big Deluxe. But at eleven bucks a bottle? Still a great stout!! Now lets see what other beers they come out with in the near future. Hope they get their hops allotment in for 2013.
I have had all 3 of the beers listed on BA. They are pretty good, but nothing too exciting. I hope to be able to try more of their offerings in the future.
San Diego folks...Ritual is celebrating their entry into SD county by doing a Meet the Brewer event at Stone tonight from 6-8pm. Seven beers total including Fat Hog barleywine will be on tap! http://beeradvocate.com/events/info/58886
I agree with UCLABrewN84 I think they are having some IPA release this week, I may step by to check it out
Hit up the tap takeover they did at Smoqued in Orange, was actually pleasantly surprised. Big deluxe was definitely a highlight, but at 11/bottle as mentioned previously too steep for me to justify purchasing. Last time I was in Redlands we had the choice of visiting Donkey Punch or Ritual, and Donkey Punch won out. Lets just say there were several levels of regret I experienced later that evening.
Ritual has potential, and I'll definitely give them another evaluation after trying the new IPA. I went for the grand opening and thought their beers were ok, but the lack of an IPA or Pale really hurt them. I have yet to consider buying anything they brew in bottles due to the cost. It is nice to see Riverside and surrounding areas building up. Ironfire and Packinghouse are definitely making some great beers as well.
Was just there this evening and tried their new ipa Hop-O-Matic. Great aroma on the nose and a decent amount of bittnerness. I'm a big hop head and found it to be very enjoyable. I'm a big fan of their Big Deluxe and can't wait for some of their barrel aged beers. I was talking to one of the bartenders tonight and he said they're releasing their american barely wine aged in several different barrels within the next year or so. I honestly think Ritual is and will be a great new brewery. I live in Redlands myself, but I'm not trying to hype them up. I really do feel they'll release some great beers this year
