Background
Josh Hamilton like so many other brewery owners began brewing beer in his backyard. While working two jobs to support the family, tending the athletic fields at Azusa Pacific University and guiding tours at Hangar 24 brewery in Redlands, he came up with a crazy idea.
Josh pitched the idea to his wife Crysten of selling their house for seed money and opening a brewery. She bought in and verified with her parents that the couple could move in with them along with their two preschool children.
The Hamilton’s were fortunate to clear $72,000 on the sale of their house. They attempted a Kickstarter campaign to raise $25,000. Unfortunately, they only raised $8,000, meaning that money had to be returned to donors when their goal wasn’t met.
The couple found the perfect spot and signed a lease for a 1,600-square-foot space in a business park. Over the next six months, the Hamilton’s got the permits and did the tenant improvements they needed to open. Josh had his hand in creating the space while putting together the brewing equipment and testing recipes.
June 21, 2014 was opening day for Hamilton Family Brewery. Their opening day expectations were exceeded when there was a line out the door for 11 hours in a row. After going through 11 kegs, Josh spent the next nearly 24 hours brewing more beer.
Experience
We rolled into town on on an early Saturday afternoon and found Hamilton Family Brewery. The place was fairly packed but we lucked out and found the only spots at the bar. We ordered a flight and were delighted when they served up the flight in regular sized tulip glasses each labeled with the beer name and basic info. The flight was served along with a bag of pretzels too. Very thoughtful presentation that matched the thoughtfully brewed beer! We very much appreciate the ability to get a good nose on our beers. Most times those tiny sample glasses just don’t cut it! We loved the “Becoming Apparent” and “The Pacific”. The staff was one of the friendliest we have encountered. One is made to feel like a regular.
The majority of the seating is on the patio. Inside there a few tables and a walk up bar to order. Around the corner from the tasting room is the brewing equipment. The day we were there they had 11 beers to choose from. They also offer hard seltzer and a variety of hard seltzer slushes.
Hamilton has occasional food trucks, but it is fine to bring in your own food. We stopped nearby and picked up fabulous wraps at a place Hamilton staff had recommended called The Stackz. There is also canned beers available to go. We left with a four pack of The Pacific.
When they are busy, there is not a lot of parking. If you need a handicap parking, there is one, but nowhere near the entrance. Once you enter the area, it is accessible.
There is an Aloft Ontario nearby. When in the area check out Sour Cellars and Kings Brewing.
