Strum Brewing Company: Delicious Craft Beers
DeliveryRank chats with Strum Brewing Company - a family-driven brewery founded by Ash and Kim, whose passion for craft beer and community drives the heart of the business. Ash, co-owner and head brewer, has over 10 years of homebrewing experience, while Kim, co-owner and event coordinator, brings her expertise as a sign language interpreter and her love for connecting with others. Together, they foster a welcoming atmosphere and embrace creativity in both brewing and events. Strum also shares its home with a few beloved furry friends who add a bit of fun to their daily lives.
As a family-owned and operated craft brewery in historic downtown Ontario, California, what inspired the establishment of Strum Brewing Co., and how has the family dynamic influenced its development and operations?
Kim: Ash and I officially took over Strum on December 1st, 2024. The small, family-owned business aspect really drew us in, especially since nearly everything was handmade by the previous owners, Christian and Anna. They poured so much of their heart and soul into their craft, which gives the place a unique charm we’re committed to preserving. We’re focused on maintaining and nurturing a comfortable, relaxed, and welcoming atmosphere.
My dad, Tim, helps out whenever he can, which has been a huge support and adds to that family-owned vibe. Ash takes charge as the head brewer, while I manage the taproom. Together, we run the operations as a team.
Ash: I’ve always had a passion for craft beer. Over a decade ago, my mother-in-law introduced us to Dale Bros. in Upland, and that sparked something in me. From there, I made it a point to visit as many breweries as I could, exploring the different styles and unique atmospheres each one offered. One year, my mom gave me a homebrew kit for Christmas, and I just ran with it from there.
Kim always talked about how much she enjoyed working as a barista and the connection she felt with the community. While I don’t know much about coffee, I do know beer, so I wanted to create something that could offer her that same sense of connection and interaction with people. When the opportunity to take over Strum came up, it felt like the perfect fit.
Strum had been family-owned and operated for years, and we wanted to continue that tradition. To this day, my father-in-law, Tim, has played an instrumental role in our success. The hard work and dedication of the previous owners gave us the chance to step in and carry on their legacy, and we’re proud to do just that.
Craft breweries often play a significant role in building local communities. How does Strum Brewing Co. engage with the Ontario community, and what initiatives or events have you implemented to foster these relationships?
Kim: We’re continuing many of the same events at Strum that the previous owners established, like LGBTQ+ karaoke night, while also introducing new ones, such as ASL Mingle Night, as part of our monthly lineup. Supporting our local community is important to us, so we display local artists' work for sale in the taproom and regularly schedule performances from bands, musicians, comedians, and other entertainers. Beyond that, we aim to raise awareness of local events, encourage our guests to explore nearby restaurants, and even promote other breweries in the area.
As a sign language interpreter, I love being able to use ASL with our guests who know it—it creates a welcoming space where everyone feels included. We believe that success comes from working together and being allies to our community by giving back whenever we can. That’s why we’re thinking outside the box, getting involved in volunteering, and supporting initiatives that make a difference. We’ve been focusing on helping those impacted by the LA fires, supporting local breweries dealing with challenges like power outages caused by high winds, and assisting animals in receiving care and treatment. It's all part of building meaningful connections and making Strum a true community hub.
Ash: As Kim mentioned, we host multiple events throughout the month, and she truly is the driving force behind coordinating everything for us and for Strum. We’re also looking to get more involved in larger annual events through sponsorships and by offering our space to support local artists and organizations. Additionally, we’re proud to be affiliated with two regional groups: the Inland Empire Brew Witches and the Brew Bellas and Fellas. These connections help us stay engaged with the local community and strengthen our commitment to fostering collaboration and creativity.
The craft beer industry is known for its innovation and variety. Can you describe some of the unique or flagship beers that Strum Brewing Co. offers, and what sets them apart in the competitive craft beer market?
Kim: Ash, our head brewer, is full of creative ideas for unique beer flavors and hard seltzers. We're committed to continuing the popular flagship beers that our guests love, like the Señor Veza (a light Mexican lager), S.B.C. (a blonde ale infused with calamansi, a lemon-lime citrus fruit from the Philippines that’s reminiscent of a shandy), and the margarita-inspired hard seltzer, ‘Strum-a-rita.’ At the same time, we’re excited to introduce new styles of beer to expand our offerings.
What sets us apart is having a wide variety of beer styles, offering customizable options like micheladas and spiced drinks, providing flights to sample different flavors, and even adding fun twists like edible glitter. We’re working on adding more IPAs, a Pilsner, a Hefeweizen, a Porter, a Stout, and more to our menu.
In the coming months, we’re planning to shake things up even more with slushies (both kid-friendly and adult versions) and fresh beer cheese bread. Keep an eye out for some exciting and creative brews on the horizon—we’re just getting started!
Ash: Our SBC is definitely a fan favorite and has been my personal go-to at Strum for quite some time. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else use calamansi in a beer before, which makes it stand out even more. Along with the SBC, we also have a few seasonal recipes that have developed a loyal following. It’s exciting to see how these unique offerings resonate with our community, and we’re always looking to expand on that creativity.
Operating a brewery involves navigating various challenges, from sourcing quality ingredients to adhering to regulatory standards. What are some of the significant challenges Strum Brewing Co. has faced, and how have you addressed them to ensure quality and compliance?
Kim: Honestly, the biggest challenge we’ve faced so far at Strum has been dealing with the licensing and fees involved in running a brewery. Even though we were taking over an already established business, we still had to go through mountains of paperwork, filing fees, and licensing for state, city, and federal regulations—not to mention music licensing fees and other expenses. It’s a lot to navigate, but we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to recoup those costs over time, just like every small business aims to do.
One unique advantage we have is Ash’s hearse, which comes in handy for picking up larger orders of supplies and saving on shipping costs whenever we have the time to do so. Staying on top of all the guidelines and regulatory standards isn’t easy, but we’ve got a lawyer to help us stay compliant, and we’re also active members of the Inland Empire Brewers Guild. Being part of the guild has been a huge help—it allows us to participate in group orders to cut costs and offers other great perks.
The brewing industry is a lot easier to navigate when you work as a team, and we’ve been lucky to find so much support from other breweries. Almost everyone we’ve met has been incredibly friendly, supportive, and willing to help, which is so refreshing in what could easily be a highly competitive market. It really feels like a community, and that’s been one of the most rewarding aspects of this journey so far.
Ash: Oh my goodness, the fees, the licensing, and the paperwork—it's been a lot! But Kim is absolutely phenomenal at coordinating all of it. She’s been working tirelessly with the city, our attorney, and other organizations to make sure everything gets filed correctly and all the fees are paid. Honestly, I’m more of a behind-the-scenes person, just helping out whenever I'm asked. Kim really deserves all the credit for keeping everything on track and making sure we meet all the necessary requirements. Without her, this whole process would have been way more overwhelming!
With the evolving landscape of the craft beer industry, what are Strum Brewing Co.’s future plans or goals?
Kim: The city of Ontario is offering a grant program that will reimburse us for 50% of façade improvements, so we’re excited about the opportunity to redo the front of our taproom. We're hoping to save up enough funds to add an illuminated ‘Strum Brewing Co.’ sign out front, which will definitely help with visibility. Long-term, we’re aiming to distribute our beer to local restaurants, and who knows where that will take us! It’s an exciting next step for Strum Brewing Co., and we can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Ash: Earlier, I mentioned that we’re hoping to sponsor some events and organizations, supporting our community as they support us. I also have some exciting seasonal recipes that I want to introduce. Cooking and baking are passions of mine, and some of the beer concepts I create are influenced by those experiences. I’ve even used some of our beers in my home cooking and baking, experimenting with new flavors and ideas. Kim mentioned the beer cheese bread earlier, which is something we’re looking forward to offering as well. It’s a fun way to bring together my love for food and beer in a unique way!
Are there any upcoming expansions, new product lines, or collaborations that enthusiasts can look forward to?
Kim: Strum has big plans for the next five years! We’re aiming to expand and eventually add a small kitchen to offer more substantial food options, as well as wine, cider, and guest taps. In terms of collaborations, we’ve been in touch with local breweries in Ontario and surrounding areas about doing some exciting beer collaborations. We’re also committed to supporting organizations like the Inland Empire Brew Witches, Pink Boots, Brew Bellas & Fellas, home brewers, and other local groups. Be sure to follow us on social media for any updates about these collaborations and upcoming events!
Ash: Kim has been absolutely amazing in coordinating everything. She’s been working with so many people on collaborations, new series of beers that are thematically connected, and we’re also hoping to team up with local restaurants to offer refreshing beverages. There’s so much exciting potential for Strum Brewing in the future. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @StrumBrewing to stay updated on all our projects!
If you would like to find out more about Strum Brewing Co, please visit https://www.strumbrewing.com/