Tustin Brewing Company

warpdesign

4.2/5  rDev +16%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.75 | $$

This place is tucked away in an odd shopping center. Parking can be a huge pain and hard to find. I like that all their beers have an Orange County theme to them. The atmosphere can be nice if you get there early but during prime hours it turns into more of a sports bar with loud TVs and activity. It's very hard to carry on a conversation. They can have some good beers on tap. It's somewhat inconsistent what they are offering but the variety is also part of what makes it good.

02-16-2013 23:55:50 | More by warpdesign

Smitty1988

Arizona

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

Being From Arizona, I usually try to get out to a few local brew places in California. I found Tustin Brewery on BA and the reviews were average, but it was relatively close to my hotel and the online menu didn’t look bad. While I was online I browsed some of the beers that they Brew on site. Most of them looked pretty good and were at an average price.
 
When I got there the we were seated(my wife and I) in a large open room that has a few European style benches and long tables. The brewery is in the back left corner and it was very open and with a long bar running on the left side of the building, behind which are many barrels stamped with dates and names of their Brew.
 
I ordered the spicy burger, which was very good and was very happy to see that they had Pliny the Elder on tap. This is a very rare beer and hard to come by where I am from. I have only really had it in Northern California prior to this visit. It was appropriately priced at 7 dollars a pint. Pliny the Elder was actually the only beer that I ordered in a pint there. I spoke to the waitress and asked her how often they get that and if they keep it regularly stocked. She informed me that they get about 4 kegs every 3 months. She said they usually sell out of it in 2 weeks or less. I’m certainly glad that I found it and I took a Cask of it home for only $ 19.00. Overall a great place because of the Pliny. Everything was pretty average, after sampling several of their own beers, I stuck with Pliny.
 
Perhaps call ahead to see if they have the Pliny. I will certainly go back for that.

10-18-2012 20:44:17 | More by Smitty1988

colonelforbin

California

3.2/5  rDev -11.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | $$

Pretty standard brewpub atmosphere. Long bar, many tables and numerous TVs throughout. Not terribly impressed with the beers, all fairly middling though one of the IPAs was a little better than average.

Service was OK, not too good really, but as it was my only visit, that didn't bother me too much, just chalked it up to the time of day/server that was there, etc.

It wasn't too crowded so we had most of the bar to ourselves, watched some of the Tour de France that was showing. Not sure how this place gets when it's crowded but they have ample space.

Hard to describe this place, basically about as average in almost every category as it gets. The atmosphere, beer quality, selection and service were all standard and didn't stand out in any way, good or bad.

Not going to go out of my way to recommend this place, but there may be a tasty brew or two on tap if and when you visit.

11-16-2011 05:24:10 | More by colonelforbin

Hershdawg

California

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

This brewpub is a few miles from Highway 5. The outside decor is that of a small windmill of the type you'd find around Solvang. The first thing you notice when you walk in is barrels. Behind the bar they have their brewing equipment. I found this nice because its cool to have a pint and have the fermenter it came from right behind it.

The service was good. The bartender didn't charge me for the tasters I got. She gave some suggestions for food and the sandwich she recommended was great.

The beers on tap range from the house brews to 2 Russian River taps. They also carry hard cider on tap if you want a change of pace. They have a full bar so if a cocktail is what you desire it can be made.

The food runs in the $10 range. They have some pub fare and some burgers. They are a few oddities in the menu such as a pasta dish. The burgers are 1/2 lb patties and tend to be very large.

Its a good brewpub to check out. Can't wait for the sour to be released...

09-02-2011 17:18:53 | More by Hershdawg

dcgunman

California

4.28/5  rDev +18.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Yesterday was my second visit in a week to TBC. Both times was in the area for an appointment. So I decided to stop in. I've been wanting to for over a year now.

Last week stopped in for lunch and a couple of guest beers. Since it was a Tuesday they had Tuesday tacos for only $2. So I went with 2 steak and 1 chicken. Chicken was dry while the steak was good. So I had to pour on the salsa for the chicken. But probably the main reason for going in was that they had Cismontane's Dos Con Es DIPA (11.5%ABV) on tap and I heard good things about it. Also that Cismontane Brewery made its first and only batch of the Dos Con Es. It was a little slow at eleven when they first opened the door, but soon changed when we left it was busy. The regular lunch being served looked good on the visual. The house beers they had were probably around six or seven. No IPA was on the board, so I ended up getting a Sculpin for my second glass. Prices overall for house and guest beers I thought was very resonable. The Dos Con Es was served in what looked like a 8 oz snifter. And priced at $4. Regular 16oz pints were around $6. I think the house beers are $5. Service was exceptional.

My second visit yesterday I went in around noon. So it was a bit busier with alot of local customers there for lunch. This time I had a regular lunch (sandwich with chili). Chili was very good. Paired well with the pint of Mongo and later with a pint of Firestone Union Jack. They did have the house IPA which I did not get to try again. But they were advertising their 3rd anniversary triple IPA which will be released this Thursday. I will be back in a couple of weeks when I have to make another appointment in the area. I hope to try their triple ipa and ipa then. And some more food too.

TBC is a good stop in once in awhile when your in the neighborhood. NOt a large selection of guest beers but a decent one.

08-10-2011 16:57:25 | More by dcgunman

pollox87

California

3.38/5  rDev -6.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 2 | $$

This place is pretty close to my home.

The atmosphere is fine, pretty much your average brew pub. The outdoor seating is nice, but don't expect good service out there.

TBC's beers are very average. Don't expect to be blown away, but you will not need to dump anything out. They also generally serve in appropriate glassware for the style, although I did not appreciate the chilled glasses.

The service is usually okay, I have had some servers who know little of beer and some who know a lot, no one was really rude, but they also were not above average.

The selection is always good, the usually have guest beers that are what I really come here for. Russian River beers can often be found here including Elder. Just call ahead and check to see what they have.

The food here is not good, and very overpriced. Skip it, there are plenty of good eats in the area, just check yelp.

06-17-2011 19:25:17 | More by pollox87

harsley

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

I recently tried this place on a visit to the area and was happy enough with it. I only tried the IPA but it was quite good and solved my need for a fresh West Coast IPA. I did go here because about 2 weeks early they had Pliny and Pig on tap but they were off by the time I got there. They had around 5 guest taps. The food was good. As per a lot of brewpubs the pizza was nicely done and I think everyone at the table left happy with their meal. It was crowded even on a weeknight but we got a table for 4 right away. Service wasn't the best but was certainly not bad. I will go back when I'm in the area.

06-07-2011 18:16:47 | More by harsley

Amdy

California

4.14/5  rDev +14.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

I live right down the street form the Tustin Brewery, but ive only been there maybe 5 or 6 times. I live to go here for pliny and pig when Hollingshead doesn't have it tapped. Good bottle list, they just recently sold the last bottles of stone Kona coffee porter. Im a fan of their porter, I haven't really had too much of their other stuff, Im usually drinking here because of what they have on tap from other breweries. Growler fills are available here, but only of their own beer(Dont come in asking for a growler fill of pliny because they will not do it, Ive seen people actually try this, lolz)

03-02-2011 10:06:38 | More by Amdy

t0rin0

California

3.38/5  rDev -6.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

Visited at least half a dozen times over the last couple years now. I thought I had a review of this place already, maybe it was flagged (?)

The place is large on the inside and there is always a place to sit, even if it's at the counter that seperates the bar from the dining area. I've never had an issue getting a seat outside on the patio either. Parking can be a bitch though. Inside can get loud and there are a number of tv's playing various sports channels. The radio is on most of the time.

Quality, selection, and the food are all about equal in the sense that there is enough to pick from that you'll find something you like. The plate of fries seems to be the best deal for snacks/appetizers in terms of quantity of food and quality of food. The nachos were pretty crummy last time.

Service, hmm, what to say. There used to be this girl that happened to be bar tending every time I went in. She was fine with serving samples. I didnt bother her and she didnt bother me. It's not like I was taking up her time with conversations and lots of questions. It worked out well. Nowadays I seem to get this guy that is slow as hell. 10-15 minutes to even acknowledge that I'm there, another 5-10 minutes to actually pour the beer I order, and 20-30 minutes to get food. The second to last time I was there (with womencantsail) I ordered a glass of beer and he ordered a soda while waiting for a plate of nachos. The nachos arrived about 30 minutes after being ordered, at which time the soda and beer were poured, just as we were getting up to leave.

The last time I was there (Friday 2/18/2011) the service was a little faster, so only 10 minutes to get his attention and only 5 minutes to actually pour the beer, but then the bill came. OK, so there is no price listed anywhere for samples but why were they $1.50 a week ago and now $2.50? That and there were too many on the bill as well. So when I asked about it a manager was sent over. I tried to politely ask about why the price of the samples had gone up but got a very defensive and agitated response about how if you go anywhere else it's $2 for 2oz and they're giving me 3oz for $2.50. That's not what I asked. So after telling him that he changes his story to "well you ordered the guest beers." 2 of the 3 samples were Tustin beers. Then it becomes "well you ordered the high abv beers." OK, the 3rd Nipple Tripel is 9% granted but the Pom Bomb is 4.5%. And the 3rd beer, which was a guest beer, was 8.8% (Stone collab Scotch Ale). So that excuse is the most believable but still, it took 3 lies before he came up with something plausible. And even then that comes out to $10 per 12oz beer at that rate.

0% tip. Actually we debated walking out on the bill when we saw the extra samples added in there and at the jacked up rate.

Not writing the place off entirely but they can expect not to receive a single penny in tip until they get their act together. And even as tickers it's not like we're taking up a lot of their time or resources. If they served us promptly we'd be in and out in 20 minutes or less. On top of that we usually order 3-4 samples and a pint. Between 2 people that's 2 beers.

Still better than Toronado SF (for service) but then I guess any place where they don't actually hold you up at gun point is better than that, so that isn't much of a compliment to Tustin.

I will add that the crappy service has only been in recent months and only at the bar. When eating and sitting at a table the service has been just fine.

02-21-2011 01:03:31 | More by t0rin0

HaggisIBM

California

4.63/5  rDev +27.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I have been going to TBC since almost the beginning (1997). The beer was average at its best. A visit once a year was enough to see if there were any changes for the better.

I moved to the Irvine area in 2005. The place/beer was still average.

Finally, about 3 years ago, the powers to be at TBC saw the light and started to produce really good beer. Their current brewer, J.Porter, is producing some great beers. There is even a cask ale on a regular basis, mmm, cask ale, mmm!

There are always at least 7 house beers on tap and maybe an experimental ale on as well. Plus, there are 5 or so guest beers on as well.

The food is top notch too. The Cajun Lamb chops are my favorite.

TBC is sports bar, so on Saturdays and Sundays, parking can be difficult.

Tustin Brewing Company is the best brewpub in the area: Tustin, Irvine, Anaheim, Newport.

12-29-2010 01:52:29 | More by HaggisIBM