Saturday 11th of February 2017 04:45:43 PM

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On an unusual (and rare) rainy, damp day wife Persimmon and I were hanging out with a Riverside friend waiting for the weather to turn warmer (and drier) when we decided to spend some time (taking our lives in our hands!) and navigate the freeways into Redlands and Hanger 24 Brewery.

We long ago discovered their Pugachev's Cobra Russian Imperial and Falling Leaf Barleywine so we wondered what new and special brews they might be serving up at the source.

To say this brewery is hard to find is an under-statement. Get out your GPS. As long as your heading toward the air-field in Redlands, you'll be OK but it is not on the "beaten path."

We arrived early afternoon in mid-week and had the place almost all to ourselves. 3 others were apparently taking the day off...or playing hockey...or they were pilots...and drinking their lunch.

This is a brewery & taproom so there's nothing fancy here. Barrels for seats, although their beer "garden" does provide picnic tables with planes and hangers across the way for scenery. The brewing tanks fill the inside, the bar is small, the service adequate. It seems as though no one really wanted to be there on this dreary day.

But we ordered a sampling of their Laval brewed in bourbon AND brandy barrels...Gourdgeous, a grand pumpkin porter...Hullabaloo, a Scottish ale...and the Chocolate Bomber, a porter with vanilla and cocoa nibs...finally settling on, the trusted Pugachev's. (Interesting aside; their specialty beers are named for different and unique flight maneuvers.)

No food here...snacks only

And as we drank, we got talking with one of the brewers who informed us that their barleywine was being dis-continued...no one was buying. A delicious beer it is too. This was rather like hearing Dogfish Head had stopped making World Wide Stout...and only the demand brought it back. Perhaps the same can / will work in this situation as well.

Regardless, on this California wintery day, spending an hour (plus) at Hanger 24 was worth the drive...the stress of Southern California traffic crazies...and the rain.

But....BRING BACK THE BARLEYWINE.

Ok...I've done my part. Now it's up to you.

Friday 8th of April 2011 01:28:23 PM

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Had to check this place out after it was identified as one of CA's breakout breweries by Benj Steinman at the CBC. Awesome! I love the Alt - just the fact that they are doing it! Their Orange Wheat is going to be a great warm-weather quencher. The pale ale is solid - it holds up to some of the best. The place is simple: literally, a converted hangar. Friendly folks and actual brewers tripping over you and willing to talk rather than just tasting room staff doing it for fun - though that's OK too.

Sunday 25th of July 2010 10:40:01 PM

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I won a homebrew contest where I got to brew my recipe on their system and enter it in the GABF ProAm. I had never had any of their beers so I was excited to try them out when I got there. Their moneymaker is an OrangeWheat (stay with me), I almost discounted the beer but when I tried it I noticed that they were able to balance the orange with the wheat without making a "chick" beer. Very refreshing and enjoyable! They also offered an Alt that I never see breweries try. Theirs was a little on the roasty/dark side for a true Alt but an very enjoyable interpretation. Their Helles was very good too and I enjoyed many of them.

If you have the change I heard that their DWIPA is world class (the one I brewed! )

Friday 19th of March 2010 03:29:50 PM

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Popularized for their Orange Wheat, Hanger 24 has a moderate selection of beers. If you are looking for something roasty and malty this is not the place. They have a decent porter but you would never know because they never advertise it, on their website or any where else. Overall a nice local brewery with fantastic atmosphere. No food is served and you have to sit on kegs, but this adds to the overall feel of converted airplane hanger. All staff and patrons in attendence whenever I have gone have been extremely nice.