I grew up in Upland but once I went to college and then since became a beer geek in '04 I haven't lived in that area much, other than when I visit parents (somewhat frequently). We can exclude Hangar 24 because everyone is well versed with them, but what are your thoughts on Dale Bros, Chino Valley Brewing, I&I, Claremont Craft Ales.... am I missing any important? I was never into Dale Bros much and only had Pomona Queen a few times over the course of 5 or 6 years. Decided to go around the corner from my parents house and check out their tasting room, cool place. Beers were eh, not bad but definitely not the quality I'm use to from what I frequent in SD. I still would be more than down to stop in there for a cold brew when up there for a weekend. Just looking for peoples' thoughts on the others, as I plan to spend a little more time around there in the near future.
I was in the San Bernardino area for work a while back. I was down there for 2 months off and on, so I was able to visit a lot of breweries out that way. Here are more breweries in the general area: Ritual - Redlands Donkey Punch - Redlands Packinghouse - Riverside Inland Empire - Riverside Area 51 - Riverside Wicks - Riverside Thompson - Riverside If you want to drive further: Taps - Corona Main Street - Corona Craft - Lake Elsinore Bulldog - Murrieta Brew-Ligion - Murrieta Stadium Pizza - Wildomar Aftershock - Temecula Refuge - Temecula Wiens - Temecula Iron Fire - Temecula Black Market - Temecula Hope this helps.
I enjoyed the 3 or 4 ales I sampled at Claremont Craft Ales last December. All of them were solid and significantly better than those at Dale Bros.
My own opinion of course, but I'd say visit: I & I - Chino Hills Ritual - Redlands Packinghouse - Riverside Taps - Corona/Brea Main Street - Corona And if going further south: Wiens - Temecula Refuge - Temecula Iron Fire - Temecula
TAPS has long been one of my favorite breweries. In fact I enjoy their entire lineup of beers as much and sometimes more than the greats down here like Societe, Ballast Point, etc. TAPS just makes solid, tasty beers all around. Been to the Corona location a few times but more familiar with Brea.
