Tucked away in the Claremont Industrial Complex, lies three unique small businesses serving unique, hand-crafted adult beverages: Claremont Craft Ales, Citrus Grove Distillers, and Ironbark Ciderworks.
All are situated in the same industrial park off Claremont Blvd and are merely steps away from each other. If you’re in the mood for award winning IPAs, go to Claremont Craft Ales. Maybe you are Not a beer person but you like tart/fruity ciders? No problem, go to Ironbark Ciderworks. Are craft cocktails more of your jam? Go to Citrus Grove Distillers.
All three locations are gems, each location offering their own unique vibe and ambiance. With carefully curated menus and, large outdoor seating areas perfect for enjoying an adult beverage or two with good company.
Claremont Craft Ales
If you want superb, award-winning beers with a lively atmosphere that’s family/pet friendly, Claremont Craft Ales (CCA) is the place to be! CCA is the IPA lover's dream carrying award-winning selections like the Jacaranda Rye IPA, Pepper & Peaches West Coast IPA, Grapefruit IPA, Station 101 Red IPA, and more!
My personal favorite is their Coffee Del (a Coffee IPA) but I like to switch it up to their Norman Cream Ales or Carlisle Pale Ale. You can always count on there being a food truck but you are more than welcome to bring your own food too.
There’s plenty of outdoor seating space but you’ll need to make a reservation beforehand. I recommend bringing a game with you to play because it just adds to a fun and lighthearted atmosphere. Magic the Gathering anyone?
Refer to my latest blog 5 Reasons Claremont Craft Ales Will Keep You Coming Back to read up on CCA.
Citrus Grove Distillers
Citrus Grove Distillers is the best kept secret in Claremont. This place is owned by a father-daughter team and serves up the craftiest of cocktails. Their drink menu rotates around the seasons and holidays and gets to be quite whimsical.
I am a whiskey kind of gal, and I must say I thoroughly appreciate the length they go to make a smoked Old Fashioned. I should also mention that every last Wednesday of the month is Cigar & Whiskey night.
What makes them unique is they offer cocktail classes that are fun and interactive. If you complete 10 classes, you get a “Cocktail Appreciation” certificate and bragging rights, of course.
Reservations are required and seating is outside and most recently they are able to accommodate indoor seating however at 25% capacity. Overall, this is one of my favorite places to grab an after dinner drink in Claremont.
GIF: Citrus Grove Distillers Mixologist smoking an Old Fashioned.
Ironbark Ciderworks
I have to admit I am a fairly new patron to Ironbark Ciderworks and let me tell you, I was missing out not having gone sooner! They have a two-page menu of deliciously unique ciders with plenty of outdoor seating, ambient lighting, and outdoor heaters.
My most favorite thing about Ironbark is the vibe because it has this goddess theme with a pink bar, goddess mural, artsy portraits of women, and disco balls hanging from the ceiling.
They offer flights of cider and I recommend the Duchess (their flagship cider steeped in Earl Grey), Impeached (peach cider), Sassy Simpson (black currant cider), and Passionista (passionfruit cider). Other "must-try" interesting ciders are the Hot Elderberry Chai, Elderberry Sherry, and Glitter cider (with a dash of drinkable sparkles!).
Remember that reservations are required and they book fast.
Weekends you’ll find a gourmet food truck and they also brought back Sunday brunch! Sunday’s they also offer a 10% discount for anyone who identifies as being LGBTIQ because “we want you to know that you are loved”.
There you have it, three stellar options to enjoy a crisp beer, tart cider, or handcrafted cocktail. All have ample seating outside, feature gourmet food trucks, and provide a welcoming atmosphere for you and your party.
Share in the comments below your own experience or memories visiting these gems. Until next time!