New to Inland Empire, looking for recommendations

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by BalancingBrooms, May 27, 2022.

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  1. BalancingBrooms

    BalancingBrooms Pooh-Bah (2,894) Aug 22, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Heading to the Inland Empire for work in about a month. Any recommendations for bottle shops/breweries/etc to check out around Redlands, Riverside, Loma Linda, or Highland?

    Its been about 11 years since I've lived in CA. I've been in Illinois recently and was in Louisiana and St Louis before and besides the big brewers I haven't had a chance to check out the local so-cal beer scene.

    Any recommendations appreciated
     
    #1 BalancingBrooms, May 27, 2022
  2. JBogan

    JBogan Pooh-Bah (1,871) Jul 15, 2007 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Gerrards Market in Redlands has a couple of refrigerated "Beer Caves" that are well stocked. Worth a stop if you're in the area. As for breweries in Redlands you might give Hangar 24 a try.

    If you're willing to take a 15 minute drive from Riverside to Corona then I highly recommend El Cerrito Liquor. They sport a large refrigerated beer cave and they have a fantastic selection. Don't be fooled by the outside appearance of the store, it's what's inside that counts, and the beery goodness in there is unmatched in the Inland Empire area.

    If you happen to wander over to the Rancho Cucamonga area at some point and like sour beers then I highly recommend a stop at Sour Cellars Barrel Room. They're putting out some top notch beers. Probably my favorite brewery in the area.
     
    #2 JBogan, May 27, 2022
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  3. Yepitsn8

    Yepitsn8 Aspirant (233) Dec 17, 2021

    If you drive about 20 mins from Redlands to Rancho Cucamonga there is Hamilton Family brewery. They produce some good to great beer!
     
    #3 Yepitsn8, May 27, 2022
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  4. pinballplayer

    pinballplayer Maven (1,487) Jul 2, 2014 California
    Trader

    Claremont Craft Ales is a cool spot with good beer. Perfect place to rest after hiking Mt Baldy just up the road.
     
    #4 pinballplayer, May 27, 2022
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  5. erichxedge

    erichxedge Zealot (567) Nov 29, 2009 California

    Rancho has Hamilton Family Brewing / Rowdys Brew Co / Sour Cellars / Kings Brewing

    Seconded on El Cerrito. Best shop in the IE. Anytime I drive from SD to Chino to see family, I always make a stop!
     
    #5 erichxedge, May 27, 2022
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  6. SP23

    SP23 Zealot (634) Aug 21, 2008 California
    Society Trader

    La Bodega is the best bottle shop in the IE hands down

    91 and Central
     
    #6 SP23, May 28, 2022
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  7. pixiesfanyo

    pixiesfanyo Crusader (495) Oct 25, 2010 California

    Gerrad's has a lot of stuff, but definitely check dates. Lots of old ass IPAs.
     
    #7 pixiesfanyo, May 29, 2022
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  8. moodenba

    moodenba Pooh-Bah (2,502) Feb 2, 2015 New York
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I thought the Inland Empire was . . . Spokane???
     
    #8 moodenba, May 29, 2022
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  9. Frosty11161

    Frosty11161 Savant (1,076) May 2, 2016 California
    Trader

    Good Belgian spot: back abbey

    Burger is usually my go to, but everything on menu is great.

    https://www.thebackabbey.com/

    Also Congregation ale house in Azuna is decent too.
     
    #9 Frosty11161, May 29, 2022
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  10. JBogan

    JBogan Pooh-Bah (1,871) Jul 15, 2007 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Those are two great suggestions, especially The Back Abbey.
     
    #10 JBogan, May 29, 2022
  11. JBogan

    JBogan Pooh-Bah (1,871) Jul 15, 2007 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Stopped by The Back Abbey yesterday for a beer (Garre Tripel) and the bartender mentioned that they'll be opening a second location next month, this one in Upland.
     
    #11 JBogan, Jun 15, 2022
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  12. BalancingBrooms

    BalancingBrooms Pooh-Bah (2,894) Aug 22, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks guys for the Gerrads Market recommendation. I was able to find a lot of hidden gems and was so surprised to see fresh Pliny. One of the guys there said Aldi also has Russian River stuff now too, but i haven't had chance to confirm it
     
    #12 BalancingBrooms, Aug 27, 2022
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  13. pixiesfanyo

    pixiesfanyo Crusader (495) Oct 25, 2010 California

    Weird that they'd open it so close.

    Seems like the type of place that'd do well in Redlands or Yucaipa.
     
    #13 pixiesfanyo, Aug 28, 2022
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  14. JBogan

    JBogan Pooh-Bah (1,871) Jul 15, 2007 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah, I agree. I went by there a couple of weekends ago and peered in the windows, and it looks to me like it's still going to be a little ways off.
     
    #14 JBogan, Aug 28, 2022
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