As with many brewers before him, Justen Foust started brewing beer with a home kit given to him by his wife. Foust’s newfound passion led him to join a community of home brewers in Temecula and, later, to classes at Riverside Community College and Mount San Jacinto College, so he could prepare himself for running a business. When he was ready to open his own brewery, he found a former automotive-repair shop in Murrieta. It had plenty of space and parking, but there were no natural gas outlets, only electrical. So Foust made the decision to learn how to brew using electricity. It didn’t take long before he got the hang of it, but then a new problem became evident: the cost. So Foust got together with Southern California Edison to figure out when off-peak hours were so he could brew overnight.
Though Temecula and Murrieta are better known for wineries, the craft beer scene is slowly catching up; in fact, there are now tours! Electric Brewing Co.’s hazy IPAs are what turned me on to that variety. Until trying the Cognitive Dissonance (7.5 percent ABV) in August 2017, I thought hazies were just a fad. But my first sip completely changed my mind; it was tangy and bursting with juice.
Electric Brewing introduces new beers about every two weeks in cans, which usually sell out. This past January, the company kicked it up a couple of notches and started to use premium malts, barley and wheat from Mecca Grade Estate Malt in Oregon.
In addition to hazy IPAs, the brewers also make a badass Russian Imperial Stout. At 11.7 percent ABV, the Dark Side is rich with espresso, noble hop spice and caramel malt—it’s a slightly sweet treat, especially if you love chocolate. I also enjoyed Lemon Cake Pale Ale (6.2 percent ABV), a Mecca grade malt that’s double dry-hopped with Citra and Galaxy. There’s a juicy tang of citrus up front, but it ends with a super-clean finish.
Follow Electric Brewing Co. on Instagram (@electricbrewingco) for info on the latest can releases, as well as its fourth-anniversary party on May 19. Cheers!
Electric Brewing Co., 41537 Cherry St., Murrieta, (951) 696-2266; electricbrewco.com.
