Inland Empire Brewing Company makes way for new brewery
Inland Empire Brewing Company has closed, but it appears its replacement is already here.
Founded in Riverside in 2009, Inland Empire Brewing Company was one of the longestoperating breweries here in the Inland Empire.
The brewery also served as a contract brewery for several up-and-coming local breweries, including Off the Grid Brewery and Three Marm Brewing Co.
However, in June, the taproom was temporarily closed and the owners encouraged getting local craft beer delivered via the socal.beer website.
The closure became permanent, according to a comment from the brewery on a Facebook post. The beer delivery service remains active.
In its place — 1710 Palmyrita Ave., Suite 11 — will be Kitchen Sink Brewing Company.
The new owners are apparently fans of Inland Empire Brewing Company, as one of the first beers announced by Kitchen Sink is an IEBC staple: Victoria orange barleywine.
Victoria is expected to be available in cans this week.
Another brewery appears
In researching Kitchen Sink Brewing Company, I stumbled upon yet another brewery.
Luchador Brewing Company opened last year at 15941 Pomona Rincon Road, Unit 100, Chino Hills.
Luchador also has an in-house food truck serving street dogs and a variety of Mexican entrées, including tacos, flautas, ceviche and gorditas.
Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday.
Brickwood reopens
As if two new breweries weren’t enough, craft beer lovers have yet another reason to celebrate:
The Brickwood has reopened.
The downtown Riverside craft beer/wine/cider/mead/kombucha bar reopened Monday, after having been closed just over a year — save for two weeks in June — due to the pandemic.
Hours are noon-11 p.m. Sunday, 3 p.m.-11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 3 p.m.-midnight Wednesday, 3 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday, and noon-1 a.m. Saturday.
The Brickwood is at 3653 Main St.
Beer, but hold the alcohol
Like the taste of beer, but not the alcohol? Hangar 24’s latest brew is for you.
The Redlands-based brewery has introduced its Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPA.
The new brew is available at all three of its taprooms, including Irvine, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and 1710 Sessums Drive, Redlands.
New collab
If you like beer, and you like the alcohol, perhaps
Wicks Brewing’s new collaboration with Ad Astra Brewing Co. out of Prescott, Arizona, will be more your style.
UFOats is a hazy triple India pale ale that packs a whopping 10.4% alcohol by volume.
The beer is available on tap — a limited number of cans are also available — at the brewery, 11620 Sterling Ave., Suite C, Riverside.
New in Yucaipa
Woodhaus has opened in Yucaipa.
The eatery specializes in wood-fired pizzas, salads, and healthy shared plates.
Woodhaus also features craft beer and wine from small-batch wineries.
A grand opening celebration runs through Saturday, with raffles and gift basket giveaways.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 3 p.m. Saturday.
Hours are 4-9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Woodhaus is at 35010 Yucaipa Blvd.
Brandon’s Diner opens 2 more locations
Brandon’s Diner has opened two new restaurants.
A Riverside location opened late last month at 9646 Magnolia Ave. Hours are 6 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. There was another location a mile west at 10271 Magnolia Ave. that has since closed. Another nearby Riverside location, on the other side of the 91 Freeway at 10246 Indiana Ave., remains open.
An Upland location opened last week in the former Mimi’s Bistro + Bakery at 370 N. Mountain Ave. Hours are 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.
Thanks to two contributors for their tips regarding the Upland Brandon’s: Dave, who let us know via Twitter that Brandon’s was replacing Mimi’s, and Bill, who emailed me last week to let me know that it had finally opened.