Upland Brewing Co. President David Bower says his company's Fountain Square location set to open in less than a week will reflect “Upland culture.”

What’s Upland culture? An appreciation of craft beer, of course, but also active lifestyles. So after returning the bike you can rent on premises, enjoy a beer brewed with electrolytes in mind.

Farm-to-table food is important, too. Think seasonal entrees such as blackened scallops and red chicken pilau.

And art. A years-old mural on the side of the former Value World discount retail store is receiving a touch-up by the graffiti artists who created it.

“We wanted to make sure when a customer comes to Upland Fountain Square they get the full vision of what we’re all about,” Bower said during a sneak-peek tour of the 13,000-square-foot site that opens for business 11 a.m. Aug. 1.

Upland — one of the longest-running craft beer companies in Indiana — will produce small batches of experimental flavors at 1201 E. Prospect St.

Bower recalled being on his way to an Upland-sponsored movie night at nearby White Rabbit Cabaret when he first saw a "For Lease" sign in a window of the Value World building.

Elsewhere in the thriving cultural district, Upland sponsors events at Square Cat Vinyl and presents a Friday concert series at Fountain Square Plaza.

"We’re inspired by the creativity in this neighborhood," Bower said.

Visitors to Upland FSQ will be in the same room as stainless steel tanks where "stouts, porters and kind of malty beers” originate, said Pete Batule, who leads Upland’s brewery and retail operations.

Specialty beers will age in barrels stacked near the 225-capacity dining and bar area. Many of the barrels are repurposed after aging spirits such as bourbon, tequila and brandy for other companies.

Founded in Bloomington in 1998, Upland produces 16,000 barrels of beer annually and is known for its year-round Wheat Ale, Dragonfly IPA and Champagne Velvet brands. Indiana was home to fewer than 10 craft breweries when Upland debuted. Today the state is home to more than 150 companies.

While Upland’s roster of sites includes a north-side tasting room, 4842 N. College Ave., and a tap house in Carmel, 820 E. 116th St., Fountain Square will host the company's first brewery outside Bloomington.

Great outdoors

Located about 500 feet from the southern end of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Upland FSQ features a bicycle shop.

Gray Goat Bicycle Co. will offer a repair shop and sell new and used bikes, including electric-assisted models.

Pet owners are welcome to bring dogs to Upland FSQ's 100-capacity beer garden west of the building.

A cedar-plank fence around the patio is a visual nod to Upland's barrel-aged beer (not to mention the actual barrels that serve as tables in the beer garden).

Visual thinking

Fans of the "tree house" mural that graced the exterior of Value World since 2014 will see that Upland salvaged most of the artwork during building renovations. The company also commissioned the mural's creators, the FAB Crew graffiti team, to touch up their work before Upland FSQ opens.

Inside, bike-hanger sculptures — with handlebars and seats positioned to resemble longhorn skulls — made by local artist Elaina Robins are on display and available for purchase.

And a colorful graphic mural stretches above Upland FSQ's kitchen and Gray Goat shop. Designed by Oregon artist Dustin Klein and installed by Emily Gable of Indianapolis-based Bootleg Sign Co., the mural will be replicated to wrap around cans of an upcoming Upland beer titled Breaking Away.

That project will tie together beer, art and cycling through its name inspired by the 1979 film based on Bloomington's "Little 500" race.

"Breaking Away beer will be something you’d want to drink after you go cycling," Batule said. "We actually put some salt in there for electrolytes to replenish."

Menu matters

As a restaurant, Upland FSQ will serve salads ranging from buffalo seitan (featuring nuggets supplied by fellow Fountain Square spot Three Carrots) and Cajun canteloupe.

Pub favorites including a tenderloin sandwich and fish and chips will be available, and chef Steven Norris populated Upland FSQ's initial menu with seasonal entrees such as blackened scallops and red chicken pilau.

"We’re passionate about locally sourced food, so we have a 2,000-square-foot kitchen to execute our culinary program to its fullest capabilities," Bower said.

Sour sensations

More than 20 different Upland beverages will be on tap, including two kombucha teas.

Bower and Batule said craft connoisseurs should appreciate the abundance of Upland sour beers. As many as eight taps will be devoted to sours such as Darken and Pawpaw.

Made at Upland's Wood Shop brewery in Bloomington, the sours incorporate Indiana-grown raspberries, grapes and pawpaws (also nicknamed the "Hoosier banana").

"For the sour beer, we’re adding all kinds of wild yeast and bacteria," Batule said. "It creates these really interesting tart flavors that you don’t normally expect from beer."

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Call IndyStar reporter David Lindquist at 317-444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.