Some exciting news for Orange County craft beer fans–a new brewery is getting ready to open in Orange.
Valiant Brewing, owned and operated by husband-wife team Brian and Kelly Schroepfer, will specialize in ales, particularly those over 8% abv. (Read: the strong stuff!) For the racers-turned-brewers, launching the company has been a nearly five-year endeavor.
“These beers are a challenge to produce and are carefully balanced to incorporate all the different components such as sweetness, bitterness and overall drinkability,” Kelly says. Though the work of adjusting formulations and understanding limits has paid off. A couple of their styles that have taken gold medals at national home brewing competitions.
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Valiant isn't just about big beers. Kelly says that in their experience of drinking craft beer, session ales are often left without much character. So Brian went on a mission to produce a series of session beers that not only were low in alcohol content but were as balanced and flavorful as their beers over 8%.
“Beer is not just beer,” Kelly says. “You have to elevate it, saturate it, give it life and bring it to another level. This allows it to be accessible to everyone, even the non-beer drinkers.”
The couple also plans to brew in other beer categories–sour, barrel aged and experimental. “The sky's the limit!” Kelly says.
The Schroepfers are planning to open the brewery, located in north Orange, in early October. They're currently in the process of working with the health department. Follow their progress on their blog and Facebook page.
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