Current Issue Articles
Figueroa Mountain Brewery
Local brew taps into local character
Jamie and Jim Dietenhoffer's micro brews already have fans from all over.
by Ann Blumenthal
In addition to all its other delights, the Santa Ynez Valley has become an unforgettable beer tasting destination. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Figueroa Mountain Brewery in Buellton where they are crafting a wide range of artisanal, deliciously drinkable beers. Their brews have a distinctly regional panache, and they’re only available right here in Santa Barbara County. Inspired by the microbrewery culture of the Pacific Northwest, the Dietenhoffer family has reinvented the art of the hop with Valley history and culture at its heart.
I was enthralled by their charming pub in the midst of the brew tanks and the many old photographs of original Valley settlers with their spittoons and pistols. The rustic coziness warmly reflects the character and culture of the area and the beers are named for Valley icons (like early pioneer Davy Brown), beloved local places (Paradise Road) and Santa Ynez Valley cowboy and Danish culture.
Jamie Dietenhoffer fell in love with great craft beers and the brew pubs at San Juan microbreweries in Washington State a decade ago, and wanted to bring the idea home with a Santa Ynez Valley flavor. He started Garage Envy five years ago, but never gave up his dream of a Valley microbrewery. Jamie and his dad, Jim, opened Figueroa Mountain Brewery the day after Thanksgiving last year and have hit the ground running, making approachable, drinkable, hand crafted beer. Shying away from the fad for excessive hoppiness and uniqueness for its own sake, they are a welcome addition to the microbrewery renaissance, producing straightforward, flavorful American-style beers ranging from the crisp liveliness of their Pilsner to the mellow richness of their brown ales.
Quaffing a crisp Paradise Road Pilsner an arm’s length from the tanks it was mashed and brewed in is a unique experience on the Central Coast, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. With great beer, fun events and a welcoming ambiance, Figueroa Mountain Brewery’s brew pub has been attracting locals and visitors alike. Owner Jim Dietenhoffer describes it as “the new Cheers” for its friendly regulars of all ages and sociable embrace of tourists and newcomers. My friend Hannah is a regular because she likes the inclusive, intimate atmosphere and the lively crispness of her favorite beer. Although it was my first visit, I felt very much at home. The locals reach out to each other, share advice about the area with visitors and embody the welcoming openness of the Santa Ynez Valley. The camaraderie is infectious.
Well launched by Jason Courtney, the award winning brewmaster, the stein has been passed to a fiery young West Coast yeast wrangler, AJ Stoll. As we walked through the brew tanks he spoke passionately about the beer and his work, palpably excited about the energy and direction of the promising new microbrewery. “I want to create great beer,” he said, eyes alight with enthusiasm, “My fingerprints are all over the existing beers, and I’m planning new seasonal beers that will rotate on tap all the time.” He leaned his ear to a stainless steel tank to listen to the sound of new beer bubbling, vigilant and protective of the process even as he talked. The art of creating approachable beers to go with everything from pizza to sushi inspires him. He tries to buy as many ingredients as he can locally, but for special terroir nuances he goes wherever the ingredients are, whether it’s hops from Germany and England, or malt from the Mid-West. Assistant Brewer Andrew Bach glows with the same passion and excitement. He is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic; I was impressed with his contagious zest for the beer and went away with a much deeper knowledge of the brew craft than I would have thought possible.