Santa Ana, California is bit of an anomaly when it comes to identity. The rich culture and heritage are visible, audible, and palpable when you walk around downtown with an assortment of modern-day hangouts in the mix. Cerveza Cito is the newest addition to join to ethos of Santa Ana.
The location should be familiar to those familiar with the Orange County beer industry. Cerveza Cito has taken over the location where The Good Beer Company called home for many years. The location was purchased by the grooming product company Sauvecito and, while already having many different products and apparel, now they have a beer brand to add to their ever-growing portfolio.
Kevin Buckley (formerly of Barley Forge) joins as Head Brewer while Brittany Costello (formerly of Backstreet in Anaheim) brings her managing skills to the tasting room and is the creative mind behind their social media. “There will be Mexican infused of classic styles,” Buckley said. “Along with typical ones, we will use Latin ingredients like, lime, habanero, watermelon, mango, and so on,” he added. This is present off the bat with Firme, a Mexican-Style Lager available in both clean or lime and sea salt versions, a watermelon seltzer, and a habanero pineapple blond ale.
Firme Lager is not only a style one would expect to see at a brewery such as this, but it one of the best items on the opening-day menu! A refreshing and crisp lager with just a touch of hop bite and a quintessential clove note that is typical in all commercial mass-market lagers of the same style. The lime and sea salt version only enhance the experience. The Sandia Seltzer is extremely thrust quenching. A pre-opening collaboration with cross-town colleges Santa Ana River Brewing resulted in an Imperial IPA that’s quite wonderful and a must try.
The surrounding atmosphere is full of the hustle and bustle typically found in any downtown area. “The décor in here will calm with and ethnic touch to it,” Costello said about the tasting room. A welcoming and inviting contrast of the busy life outside. The community will feel comfortable stopping in for a beer. “We are building a team based on community and diversity,” she added when pointing out the various backgrounds and experience levels the front of house staff has. Judging by the first impressions, Costello has delivered; the staff was attentive and friendly.
¡Bienvenidos a Santa Ana, chicos! Cerveza Cito is located on 309 W 4th Street and can be found on the Web, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. They will be open to the public beginning October 1st.
¡Salud!
Gilbert “Charlie” Perez, Advanced Cicerone®