Rancho Cucamonga's city council has approved a proposed $7.8 million purchase of the Hamilton Family Brewery property on Archibald Avenue, a deal that would eventually close the taproom after neighbors raised complaints about noise and traffic. The property, acquired in October 2023, is now slated to become a fire station for the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District.
The council approved the agreement unanimously on October 7, according to the Daily Bulletin, with Elisa Cox introducing the city report describing the agreement at the meeting. Josh Hamilton, co-owner of Hamilton Family Brewery, told the paper the owners had time to consider the purchase agreement and said, “After all the negotiations, we think this is the best-case scenario for everybody involved.” He added, “We are supportive of this deal.”
The proposed $7.83 million acquisition, which still requires a finalized purchase agreement, breaks down into roughly $6.03 million drawn from the Fire Protection District's capital reserves for the property and building, plus $1.8 million from city capital reserves earmarked for business relocation, logistics, and contingencies, according to What the Dev?
. Hamilton separately said the owners had invested nearly $2.5 million to bring the brewery up to current code plus hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment, per the Daily Bulletin's reporting.
A 2023 Acquisition and a Proposed $7.8 Million Purchase
The Archibald Avenue property was acquired in October 2023, before being converted into the brewery's taproom, the same report notes. The city has proposed buying it for $7.83 million.
Under the proposed agreement, Hamilton Family Brewery would be allowed to continue operating its public tasting room for up to 12 months after the sale closes before relocating, the outlet reports. The Daily Bulletin notes the brewery will relocate to a previous property or a new location once that period ends.
Fire Station Plan Has No Announced Timeline
Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District officials say the property is more appropriate for a fire station and fire apparatus, and the district became aware of the site in March 2026 after the city council directed staff that same month to review Hamilton's business operations, according to the Daily Bulletin. The Daily Bulletin reported that no construction timeline was discussed at the October 2026 meeting.
Neighbors Pushed Back for Months
Hamilton Family Brewery opened its Archibald Avenue location in September 2025 after moving from its original 7th Street address, and nearby residents soon began protesting over noise, traffic, and unruly visitors, the Daily Bulletin reports. At an August 2026 city council meeting, neighbors asked officials to formally declare the brewery a public nuisance, citing persistent late-night noise, traffic congestion, parking disputes, overcapacity, and public urination near Main Street and Archibald Avenue, according to Citizen Portal.
By October 2026, the surrounding residential neighborhood had shifted to permit-only parking, prompting the brewery to offer patrons a 50% draft beer discount for parking instead at its satellite lot on 7th Street, per an Instagram post from the brewery.
From a Crowdfunding Shortfall to a Multimillion-Dollar Sale
The brewery's roots trace back to 2014, when founders Josh and Crysten Hamilton opened what became Rancho Cucamonga's first craft brewery at 9757 7th Street. After a $25,000 online crowdfunding campaign fell short, the couple sold their 700-square-foot home in the Victoria neighborhood for $283,000 to raise startup capital, according to Town Square Real Estate.
In November 2024, a security guard was shot in both legs during a brawl at a brewery in Rancho Cucamonga, according to a report documented by Ground News. Hamilton Family Brewery later moved to the Archibald Avenue site, where it purchased the building to add a large taproom and more seating before neighborhood disputes took hold.
City Manager and City Attorney Nicholas Ghirelli will discuss final agreement terms going forward, the Daily Bulletin reports. For now, the brewery remains open. The proposed agreement would allow it to continue operating while the city moves toward converting the Archibald Avenue site into a fire station.
