On the summer evening of July 26, the valley skies were brushed with the picturesque hues of pinks and blues as the sun began to set. More than 50 people gathered not for tattoo ink, but for craft beer and conversation at Temecula’s beloved Old Rose Tattoo. Since opening its doors in 2015, the shop has become known for more than just its artistry and dedication to preserving tattoo culture—it’s now home to one of the region’s most unexpected community hubs: the Old Rose Beer Club.
Founded in early 2023 by tattooers Max, David, and piercer Dominique, what started as a casual post-work hangout has grown into a thriving local movement of craft beer lovers and community-minded individuals.
“It was just me and Dave drinking beer and talking at the end of the day, and calling it Beer Club,” Max shared. “Aaron [Mason, co-owner] was like, ‘We should do something with this.’ And it was built. As we’ve started to grow, I can’t say I know every person by name yet, but I recognize them. We all hang out at these meetups—and it’s been great.”
A community staple in the making
At July’s “Brewski Battle & BBQ beer swap” event, guests were invited to bring a four-pack of their favorite beer to contribute to a blind taste test tournament. It quickly escalated into a showdown of almost 20 pairings of craft beer and was one of the club’s biggest nights to date. Local UPS driver and BBQ enthusiast Paul smoked and served roasted chickens, patties, and links, and the lot outside the shop transformed into a backyard party of laughter, conversation, and casual competition.
“Seeing how many people showed up… that’s probably the highlight of it,” Max said. “Especially knowing that a year ago, we did it at a brewery, and it was just five people. Now, more and more people are showing up —and we all have a good time. Responsibly.”
The club’s mission is refreshingly simple: to bring people together. There’s no entry fee, no exclusive guest list—just neighbors, families, customers, and newcomers gathering to enjoy food, drinks, and friendship.
“It’s not just our customers. It’s friends of customers that have never even been tattooed here before,” said Dave. “We’re all probably very different people… but everybody comes here and eats burgers and drinks beers and hangs out. We’re solving world peace, one beer at a time.”
Year in review & what’s next
2025 Old Rose Beer Club Events from earlier this year:
- January: Black Market Brewing Company
- February: Electric Brewing Company
- March: Bingo Night at Karl Strauss
- May: Barrel & Stave + 1st ever Mid-Week Meetup at Best Pizza & Brew, Murrieta
- June: Akash Winery
- July: Brewski Battle & BBQ beer swap at Old Rose Tattoo
Looking ahead, the next event is set for Saturday, Sept. 20—an art show at Quail in Old Town Temecula, featuring original works from both Max and Dave.
“We’ve been working on a bunch of stuff for that,” Dave shared. “It’s kind of breaking me out of a little creative funk. So, that’s been a highlight for me—even behind the scenes of the beer club.”
A toast to Temecula’s culture
While the shop never intended Beer Club to be a business driver, it has organically strengthened its bond with cities that comprise The Valley.
“We’re not selling you anything,” Max emphasized. “You’re getting beer, koozies, shirts. We’re just asking you to show up, sign up, tell your friends, and hang out. That’s the fun part of it.”
So whether you’re a hop head, an ink enthusiast, or just someone looking to connect in The Valley, Old Rose Beer Club welcomes you.
To keep up with events and announcements, follow @oldrosetattoo and @ortbeerclub on Instagram.
