Liberation Brewing Company in Bixby Knolls has created the first in a series of beers commemorating Rancho Los Cerritos’ 175th anniversary. This special, limited release kicks off March 22 and will continue throughout the year. Each beer will be infused with fruit from the Rancho’s historic trees or inspired by its history.
The first beer in the series, Adobe Haze, a Navel and Valencia Orange-infused New England-style IPA (6.1% ABV), will release for sale to the public on Friday, March 22, 2019 at the brewery’s tasting room, located at 3630 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807.
Liberation co-owner and brewer Eric McLaughlin visited Rancho Los Cerritos last month to hand-pick oranges himself, and six Rancho staffers and volunteers assisted with zesting the fruit—more than 8 pounds of zest alone!—that infuse the beer. The zested oranges were then donated to Food Finders.
McLaughlin eagerly shared why a partnership with Rancho Los Cerritos is important to Liberation. “We are a small, local brewery and are always excited when asked to team up with local institutions,” he said.
“When the historic adobe was built, in 1844, Rancho Los Cerritos encompassed 27,000 acres, including much of present-day Long Beach,” Rancho Los Cerritos Executive Director Alison Bruesehoff said. “Brewery Knolls is on former Rancho land, so a partnership with Liberation was fitting.”
Adobe Haze will be on tap at Liberation while supplies last. For more information about RLC’s 175th anniversary, visit rancholoscerritos.org/175.