Red Engine Brewing
Red Engine Brewing Co.
803 Ventura Street
(Highway 126, between A and B Streets)
Fillmore, CA 93015
HOURS
Monday-Thursday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
The Atmosphere
From the moment we walked in, I felt like I’d entered a teenager’s basement rec room, circa 1985. Or more to the point, a rec room that fulfills nearly every teenage wish.
Parked in front of the main windows you’ll find a full-size, vintage fire truck. Off to the left, an arcade room, replete with free-standing arcade games, pinball machines, and computer stations where gamers were gathering to play Smash Bros. (There’s even a small lending library!) And to your right, a bar where you can order all the beer and pizza you can handle.
Red Engine Brewing provides a unique and sprawling space in which to explore and have fun.
Founded and owned by brewer and firefighter, Preston Andreini, this tap room is already a hit with locals, serving up a hell of a lot of fun. With the arcade room, themed event nights nearly every night of the week, board games, big-screen TVs, distinctive pizzas baked with a pillowy crust (Kimchi pizza, anyone? How about brisket?), and beer brewed right there on site, I dare you not to have a good time.
We arrived for 5 Alarm! Trivia Night, which appears to be a favorite, and competed against several other teams. If it hadn’t been for that 75-point astronomy question, we might have come in first. We settled instead for a respectable third. Yeah, a 75-point astronomy question. And one round devoted to welding. (Welding??) This is an eclectic, yet oddly satisfying, trivia game. If you participate, you’ll need your smartphone, as the game is administered via app. The hosts moderate any game glitches while keeping things lively. Participants even have opportunities to win free beers between rounds.
The Food
The food is heavy and decadent — bring your appetite! The lightest fare you’ll find are the salads. I’m told the kimchi and brisket pizzas were delicious, with the kimchi in particular having a tangy spice. We did take home leftovers, but not much. (Unfortunately, I can’t indulge, no thanks to a gluten intolerance.) Instead, I shared an order of brisket nachos with my husband, Dale, and mother-in-law, Judy. Between the three of us, that hillock of yum disappeared like raw meat in a wolf’s den.
Tip: Food and drinks are ordered at the bar. Give the bartender your cell phone number, and you’ll receive a text when your food is ready at the service window next to the arcade room.
The Beer
If you’re new to Red Engine, you’re welcome to sample the beers by selecting your own tasting flights.
Dale’s Top Recommendations
“First In" American light lager: This rich lager is restrained in its use of malt and hops, well-balanced, and one of the more refreshing lagers that you’ll find. Excellent with any of the food. This should be your “First” go-to.
“Java Bump" coffee blond ale: Brewed in collaboration with Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters for a deep Guatemalan coffee aroma, you’d expect this to be a porter or a stout. So, you might be surprised to discover that it’s actually a blond ale, making it a lighter brew, with hints of the sweeter aromas you get from French press coffee. Its coffee quality and light hoppy notes mingle spectacularly. A neat, unique beer.
“Smoke Show” stout: This dry Irish stout delivers exactly what you’d expect, with a twist. Featuring the signature coffee and chocolate flavors of a stout, it’s produced with a lighter body, making it a good “starter” beer for anyone not used to stouts, or for anyone looking for less raw punch and more finesse.
The Wine
Red Engine offers what is perhaps the most generous “Wine Wednesday” discount we’ve ever seen: 40% off any bottle!
I was about to order a second glass of wine when the bartender, Rico, mentioned that it would be cheaper to order the bottle, which I could take to go. And thus, a $37+ bottle of Malbec went home with us for a whopping $23. Cheers to that!
The wine list is limited but solid, featuring reliable go-tos like Sean Minor and Ancient Peaks, and yes, an Argentinian Malbec.
