Big brewery grows bigger

The sound of classic rock resonates through the restaurant. The smell of hops is in the air. Local art hang on the walls, bringing a laid-back feel to Upland Brewing Company.

Upland Brewing Company, located on West 11th Street, is seeing its business grow with its array of specialty brews and a large Indiana following.

“All microbrewed beers are different from your regular Bud Light or Miller Light,” bartender Fred Risinger said. “And beer on tap just tastes better.”

Risinger was a School of Education professor and administrator for 31 years before retiring and now works at Upland.  

Risinger has been bartending since he was 14 years old, and works Mondays and Tuesdays to give the weekend shifts to the college workers who need the money, he said.

Since the business started in 1998, the brewery has expanded its sales from Indiana into Louisville, Ky. and Madison, Wis.

Upland’s patio area will soon expand into the current gravel parking lot to accommodate a greater number of diners.

The brewery now has room for 80 diners inside and 80 seats on the patio, but the expansion will almost double seating space for   customers.

“I think the brewery is so popular because people are just interested in beer,” server and bartender Kelly Hogan said.  

Upland is the largest brewery in Indiana, providing seven year-round brews, 18 seasonal beers and four sour ales or lambics, Risinger said.

“Our Wheat Ale is about 60 percent of our sales and is available year-round,” Risinger said. “Our Cream Ale was brewed with corn, inspired by the recent corn festival here, and it is a seasonal flavor.”

Another facet of Upland Brewery is its ability to sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays for home consumption.

Due to an Indiana law that went into effect in July, a brewery is able to sell alcohol for home consumption on Sundays when liquor stores and bars are not, Risinger said.

“Sunday sales have been huge,” Risinger said. “Last Sunday, I came in and it was so noisy and so loud. It was too much for me, and I work here.”

Upland brought in about $1,000 from six-pack sales Sunday, as well as $2000 from growlers, or half-gallon glass jugs of beer.

In addition to being a brewery, Upland has lunch and dinner menus as well as live
entertainment.

“The food is good, the beer is good, and we have a relaxed feel without being sloppy,” Hogan said.