Hop Salute: Pomona’s newest brewery pays ‘Homage’ to the arts
Photo by: Mia Garcia
The subtle kick drum to Jamie XX’s “Sleep Sound” fades in, synchronized with the chatter of patrons enjoying refreshing ales in a minimalist, yet well-adorned taproom decorated with succulents and banners. Matthew Garcia, owner of Homage Brewing slowly pulls down on the handle of the beer tap. Carefully, he pours beer into a snifter for a thirsty craft beer enthusiast that may deduce the company’s entire image based on that single pint.
Garcia pours a heady top and a well-balanced body–something a craft beer enthusiast would expect of a Belgian ale, one of many rotating beers Pomona’s newest craft brewery has to offer its customers.
Located in the Pomona Arts Colony, Homage Brewing, is one of several area establishments that is bringing new life to the burgeoning downtown district. It is part of the expansion of the craft beer industry to the east of Los Angeles.
Homage Brewing specializes in Belgian ales, brett ales and barrel-aged ales that cater to the more seasoned craft beer enthusiast with the intricate taste and aromas of their microbrews.
Every Monday, Garcia and Jeremiah Pignelle, the co-head brewer, meet to experiment with new beers to add to their growing tap list. This process is complex. Many factors come into play, such as determining what fruits, barley and yeast will be used. During the development stage, Garcia and Pignelle spend as much time as is needed on quality control ensuring the new batch meets the “Homage standard” before releasing it for their patrons to enjoy.
Garcia and Pignelle create their beers according to what’s inspiring them in the moment, like “Pilot Jones,” a French saison named after a Frank Ocean track from the rappers debut album “Channel Orange.” Currently the beer on rotation at the brewery, but their lineup changes every week.
“I’m very blunt about where the names of my beers come from and what inspires me at the moment,” Garcia said. “The name also depends on what fits the beer the best.”
The brewers at Homage are known for creating what they want according to what they feel like. These factors contribute to their continuous rotation. Though the company specializes in microbrews, patron favorites make their way back into rotation. “It all depends on how well a beer is received and requested by the people who come into the brewery,” Garcia said.
Photo by: Mia Garcia
Brews that are currently being served include Harlequin, a barrel-aged blended sour ale with a citrus finish that has recently made its way back into rotation; Dolorosa, a 3-grain Belgian style tripel; White Lines, a wheat IPA with Sorachi Ace, an experimental beer that the brewery made in collaboration with their neighbors at Rookery Alehouse.
The company also pays ‘homage’ to various forms of visual arts and musical genres that include bands such as Radiohead and Joy Division.
Garcia is very familiar with the music scene and has been played in a few bands. He takes to the “do-it-yourself” approach he acquired while dabbling in the metal/indie scene, a skill he has used to make Homage what it is today.
“I take the same attitude and confidence I had playing in bands and apply it to my beer-making process. I love to make beer, and I love to sell beer,” Garcia said.
Homage’s DIY mentality continues to show through their collaboration with Loud and Obnoxious, a print company that holds values similar to the brewery. These printers have created merchandise that have a likeness to bands who have been known to push the envelope and inspire generations, such as Nirvana and The Smiths.
Homage recently presented “Arts and Drafts” during the monthly Pomona Art Walk. It featured a photo installation from Garcia’s sister, Pavielle Garcia, and Adrian “A-Plus” Melgoza, who created a vivid atmosphere by spinning tunes from Wu-Tang Clan, other old-school hip-hop artists and several other musical genres.
Melgoza expresses his vision through turntables and vinyl records. He takes a different route than most DJs nowadays with no pre-recorded playlists.
“I was originally just going to curate a playlist for the night but I think having actual turntables and records brings a nostalgic element to the table that people really dig,” Melgoza wrote in an email. “I just wanted to play what I think is good music. Music that I would want to hear if I was having a beer…with friends.”
Photo by: Mia Garcia
It comes as no surprise that Melgoza has maintained close ties professionally and personally with Garcia and the rest of the Homage family. He too shares a passion for what Homage strives to attract and support as a business.
“It’s…a great venue to display all this [art] in my opinion,” Melgoza wrote. “Matt…and I are hugely into craft beer, design, photography, etc., so the idea to add music to the equation was simple.”
Homage has been open for 3 months and Garcia attributes the brewery’s new found success to social media where he promoted the company months before opening its doors to the public.
He had the idea of being a storefront brewery to create a foundation for his company as he looks to expand Homage Brewing into a larger business.
Garcia was originally looking into opening a brewery in Downtown Los Angeles where the city is densely populated with craft beer connoisseurs.
“After looking at a few locations, it didn’t feel right,” Garcia said. “It wasn’t until I looked at this location in Pomona that I got that feeling.”
Garcia’s goal with the brand of the brewery is to bring Downtown Los Angeles culture to Pomona, an atmosphere not all of the locals have access to. He hopes to inspire other entrepreneurs to bring their businesses to the growing Downtown Pomona area.
“Our location is small and intimate, so this allows me to make a connection with the people coming in, and show my passion and care for what I do,” Garcia said.
