WOLF CREEK BREWERY
AWARD-WINNING HANDCRAFTED BEER FROM SANTA CLARITA

It’s no secret around town that I’m not the biggest beer fan. In fact, I say it all the time. If I drank beer then I’d really have problems. I have to have some standards that limits my alcohol intake. But that doesn’t mean I’m completely opposed to beer. And when I hung out at Wolf Creek Brewery in Santa Clarita, I had a damn good time.

Founded in 1997, Wolf Creek has become, according to its founders, “the beer for desperados, hefe’s and other outlaws.” I don’t know if it’s the beer for “bad hombres” but it has won awards and gold medals and tastes good too.

Wolf Creek operates the only on-site functioning brewery in the Santa Clarita Valley (Valencia to be exact—just an exit or two from Magic Mountain). Pay a visit to their brewery and you can sample truly unique ales as well as specialty brews like the Wolfbier, a French-Belgian style saison. They offer a sampler, six four-ounce glasses, that offers guests the opportunity to test and enjoy a wide range of brewery offerings.

I love the story how Rob McFerren, the on-site Brew Master, went from rocket scientist to beer man once his wife bought him a make-your-own-beer kit. While I haven’t been to their Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co. yet—that’s the restaurant, which is different that the nearby brewery—the actual brewery is a fun place to hang out and drink beers. It’s like the ultimate man cave, just not only for men.

While spending a Sunday afternoon at the brewery, which included a local food truck offering eats and a live band as entertainment, I got to sample a wide range of beers. And to my surprise, I really liked most of the beers I tried, in particular the Wolf in the Coop (a collaboration Porter with Pocock Brewing), and the Golden Eagle—their multi-award winning blonde ale. I like a Hef and their Howlin’ Hefeweizen is a damn fine Bavarian-style wheat beer with flavors of banana, clove and apricot that was refreshing and full-flavored.

If you find yourself in Valencia or don’t mind making the trek, time spent at the brewery atop a mountain is pretty magical in its own way. Beer folk will get their kicks and the casual drinker will find a few suds to really get into as well. I know I walked away a fan.

Wolf Creek Brewery is located at 25108 Rye Canyon Loop in Valencia. Brewery hours: Tues-Thurs 4pm to 9pm; Friday 3pm to 9pm; Saturday noon to 9pm; Sunday noon to 5pm. Call (661) 294-9977.

Story by Jose Martinez