Originally published in the February 2020 San Diego CityBeat
The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians has unveiled Rincon Reservation Road Brewery (3R Brewery), a rebranded and refreshed brewery and tasting room adjacent to Harrah’s Resort Southern California.
The former beer concept, called SR76 Beerworks, was the first Native American owned and operated brewery on tribal land in Southern California. The new iteration, Rincon Reservation Road Brewery, tells the rich history of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, paying homage to the indigenous trail that runs through several modern-day Indian reservations including Rincon, Pechanga, Soboba, Pala, Pauma, and La Jolla.
Ruth-Ann Thorn, Chairwoman for the Rincon Economic Development Corporation (REDCO), explains the inspiration behind the rebrand, “SR76 referred to the path that the Luiseño tribes traveled along the San Luis Rey River. It was later turned into State Route 76. Although the story was there, we did not feel the name captured the story of our heritage and ancestors. We rebranded to Rincon Reservation Road Brewery to bring our culture forward in a way that tells our story in a recognizable way.” Thorn continues, “As it did in the olden times, Rincon Reservation Road still connects our people.”
According to the tribe, their ancestors traveled this trail along the San Luis Rey River from its headwaters located in the Warner Hot Springs area of Palomar Mountain, to its mouth at modern-day Oceanside. The Luiseño people used this trail to hunt as well as gather acorns with which they made wewish, a traditional staple of their diet. They also took this trail to the coast, where they would fish in the shallow rocks. Along the trail, they would often stop to visit with friends and relatives in tribal villages.
The new Rincon Reservation Road Brewery logo also incorporates the heritage of the tribe. Thorn explains, “Our logo is an important symbol, it represents an appreciation of nature. The diamondback rattlesnake holds significance to our tribe and the pattern is inspired by the fine art of Luiseño basketry.”
As for their motivation to create the brewery, Thorn offers, “San Diego is the Craft Beer Capital of America and we felt as a native tribe from San Diego that we should share our heritage with the craft beer industry.” Their four core beers are made with water from within the reservation and include a blonde ale, a Hefeweizen, an amber ale, and an IPA. Upcoming plans include gathering stories from tribal elders on the reservation to inspire the next generation of beer releases and launching a new food menu inspired by their culture and native plants.
Oasis Blonde Ale – 4.2% ABV
The Oasis is a sanctuary of hidden beauty on Rincon Reservation. This light in color Blonde Ale celebrates that beauty with its low hoppy bitterness that balances well with slight fruit flavors. Dry, medium-bodied, with a malty sweetness.
Rez Dog Hefeweizen – 5% ABV
In honor of the many reservation dogs, the Hefeweizen is a crisp, refreshing brew, taking the road less traveled. Made of 55% wheat malt, 45% two-row malt and German Hefeweizen yeast, Rez Dog has a medium mouthfeel with large amounts of fruity banana aroma and flavor with a hint of clove.
Red Rattler Amber Ale – 5% ABV
The Red Rattler Amber Ale symbolizes the balance and respect needed to pay homage to San Diego’s largest snake species. Beautiful and powerful, this amber ale uses caramel malts that lend a toasted toffee and caramel flavor, with a pine hop bitterness to balance the sweetness.
Chief IPA – 6% ABV
The Chief IPA is brewed with two-row, wheat, and oats to give it a dry, crisp, clean low malt flavor. It is made with Zappa, CTZ, and Chinook hops to create a medium hop bitterness of spice and citrus with loads of tropical flavors and pine aromas.
Rincon Reservation Road Brewery is located at 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way in Valley Center. Hours: Mon 2pm–9pm, Tue & Wed Closed, Thurs 2pm–9pm, Fri & Sat 2pm–10pm and Sun 10am–8pm.
