Temecula is considering a change to the rules for Old Town to allow beer tasting rooms, which would give local craft brewers a crack at the historic district’s tourist traffic.

The Planning Commission on Wednesday will take up the item at its regular meeting, which is set for 6 p.m. in the Civic Center’s council chambers, 41000 Main St.

John Maino of Ironfire Brewing Co., one of the breweries established during the Suds Rush of 2012, is the listed applicant.

A half-dozen breweries were established in the region that year and more have followed, turning Temecula almost overnight into a brew hub on par with some cities in North San Diego County.

The change would give the city’s 11 breweries, and any new entrants to the market, basically the same rights as area wineries, which have long been allowed to set up tasting rooms in Old Town.

Some residents have bemoaned the proliferation of watering holes in Old Town but the city’s plan for the area specifically called for new restaurants and bars, a land use mix inspired by the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego.

Staff is recommending approval.

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