Tucked between antique stores and a handful of restaurants, Rescue Brewing Co is set in the heart of Historic Downtown Upland - one of the few breweries you’ll find in a store-front building rather than an industrial park. The inside is bright, spacious, and contemporary. Comfortable couches greet you as you walk in the door, and concrete high-top counters with industrial-style barstools line the walls. A backdrop of light and dark raw wood paneling adds a warm contrast to the stainless-steel tanks gleaming in the corner.
On the night of our visit, the place was filled with couples, families, an occasional dog, and serious craft beer drinkers, all having a great time and enjoying great beer (or hand-crafted dog treats, depending on the customer).
The hi-tech digital menu board above the bar features Rescue’s hand-crafted beers, including a new discovery for me - dark blends. With so many choices, I decided on a flight. The Baron ordered a pint - Irish Red Ale with Cinnamon & All-Spice. The name says it all.
My six tasters came in miniature snifters, each nestled in their own spot in a circular iron stand. When I sample beers, I usually work from light to dark. Since I ordered all dark, I tried them the way they were poured - blends first, followed by the porters and stouts. I took an initial sip of each, then followed up by savoring and comparing the flavors more thoroughly. My favorite of the six was the Vanilla Porter/Trumpkin Blend, followed by the stand-alone Bourbon Vanilla Bean Porter. Blending mellowed the winner just enough to give it extra appeal.
Music is often part of the scene here, although tonight was an exception. The Rescue Facebook page shows past performances by Blue Hwy, Woody and the Harrelsons, and the Kim Martin Band, to name a few. Food is readily available for take-out from nearby restaurants including Paulie’s Pizza and Café Allegro.
Why the name Rescue? An important part of Rescue’s business model is giving back to their community. A portion of the proceeds from special events, merchandise and beer sales goes to local heroes – law enforcement, fire department, military, local charities, and animal rescues.
Rescue Brewing Co is located at 167 N. 2nd Ave in Historic Downtown Upland. Free parking is plentiful - if not immediately available in front, there’s a large parking lot in back. Or leave your car at home and take the Metrolink to the Upland Station, only a few steps away.