E-Malt.com News article: USA, CA: Refuge Brewery to open in Temecula

Refuge Brewery that specializes in making handcrafted ales using Belgian methods is working to set up shop in Temecula, Nctimes.com reported on July, 09.

If approved by the city's Planning Commission later this month, Refuge Brewery will join three other breweries slated to open in Temecula this year.

The other three - Wiens Brewing Company, Aftershock Brewing Co. and Ironfire Brewing Co. - were approved by the commission earlier this year.

Refuge brewmaster and President Curt Kucera is teaming with Glenn Wichert and Jake Kucera to open the brewery, which will feature a small tasting room, in a business park on Rancho Way, just south of the Wiens Brewing Company's home base.

All three men have Temecula ties - Jake Kucera, Curt's son, is a Chaparral High graduate - and they are all craft brewers who were inspired by the success and beers of Escondido's Stone Brewing Co. and San Francisco's Anchor Brewing.

Wichert, a Temecula resident of more than 20 years, and Curt Kucera are neighbors. Their friendship and future business partnership were forged by many shared pints and "what-if" conversations.

"We had always been dreaming," Wichert said, talking about their discussions over the years on starting a brewery while enjoying some of their craft creations.

Eventually, with the support of friends and family, the trio made the decision to go all out.

"It started to take on a life of its own," Kucera said.

Initially, they considered opening a nanobrewery, a 2 1/2-barrel system. Then they thought - why not five barrels?

That quickly became 10 barrels, and they are now working toward opening a facility that can produce 10,000 barrels of beer per year at full capacity.

In addition to selling beer from their brewery, Refuge's founders want to pass along the art of brewing to their customers during monthly classes.

Those classes, they said, would give novice brewers a chance to use the brewery's prototype system to brew their own beers under the guidance of a Refuge brewer.

When finished, the beer could be served as a "reserved tap," with limited distribution for their friends and family members.

The owners said they plan to have a roster of 10 beers on tap at all times, a nonalcoholic option such as a black cherry soda or root beer, and plenty of seasonal beers.

Talking about the explosion of breweries in Temecula, Wichert said it's a great thing for the city and Southwest County. The collection of breweries should complement Wine Country to the east, he said.

"Everyone is going to work together. It's not a competition," he said.

Jake Kucera agreed, saying the various offerings from all the brewers should satisfy each segment of the market.

"It's going to be a balance," he said.

After about six months of operation, the trio said, they'd like to start bottling their beer for sale.

The bulk of their sales probably will be to restaurants and bars and, so far, they have been encouraged by the response from both types of establishments as well as beer fans in the area who have made a point of supporting local breweries.

In the San Diego market, there are about 50 breweries and 20 more on the way, which have produced a fierce competition for tap handles in restaurants and bars.

In Temecula, already established brewers Black Market Brewing and Lewis Beer Company and the new brewers have talked informally about forming a guild and offering tours of their various establishments.


10 July, 2012