Every year, Bear Republic selects a homebrewer’s beer to enter into the Great American Beer Festival’s pro-am competition. Insider’s tip: Be sure to try Greg’s Amber Ale if it’s offered alongside the Bear Republic classics. After the tour, order the IPA sampler and mix and match artisan cheeses and cured meats on a custom charcuterie plate or opt for one of the massive salads. Saturdays, bar manager and “beer whisperer” Ryan Lindecker leads by-appointment, behind-the-scene tours of the intimate facility. Head to Healdsburg and race to Bear Republic, the home of Racer 5 India Pale Ale. Rev up the engines: Bear Republic Brewing The 2014 version is expected to be equally jam-packed.
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Insider’s tip: The Russian River Beer Revival and BBQ Cookoff at Stumptown in August featured 30 breweries and 30 barbecue teams. It’s open late, the Russian River winds by past the deck, the ribs are renowned, and the atmosphere is accepting of a crew that has been imbibing in hoppy goodness all day. This small brewery with a big attitude is an ideal place to end a day. Insider’s tip: If a line is snaking out of Russian River or the wait is soul-crushing, check out the nearby Third Street Aleworks, an excellent place for brews and sausages from Bud’s Custom Meats of Penngrove. Want to grab a bite before getting back on the road? This isn’t a bad place to order a pizza. Order “the board,” 2-ounce tasters of all the beers on the California and Belgian sampler menus. Want to visit during the other 50 weeks of the year? You won’t be disappointed.
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His triple India pale ale, Pliny the Younger, is one of the most hyped beers in America and causes traffic jams in Santa Rosa during its two weeks of availability every February. Last year’s circus sold out, so check for details early in April.Ĭo-owner and brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo is a legend among beer aficionados, and for good reason. Insider’s tip: The Lagunitas Beer Circus in May brings sideshow, burlesque and vaudeville acts to the brewery and saturates the event in tasty ales. If you don’t want to learn anything, Lagunitas lets you off the hook. Unlike other tours, Lagunitas lets you do the tasting before you listen to scientific specifics and brewing minutiae. every weekday is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, salty language and, you guessed it, beer.
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Once inside, you’ll find what’s arguably the most uproarious brewery experience along the Ale Trail. Head up Highway 101 to Lagunitas, which from the outside appears to be a ho-hum factory in an industrial park.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BREWERIES LIST SERIES
Insider’s tip: San Francisco Giants fans can soothe the pain of a disappointing 2013 with the Orange & Black Congrats Ale, which celebrates the team’s recent World Series titles. Try the Bluebeery Ale, Raspberry Trail Ale or the Marin Weiss Wheat as an appetizer to the heavier brews you’ll be tasting later. Tam Pale Ale and the San Quentin Breakout Stout have won a lot of awards, but a light brew with a fruit-forward pedigree might be better for breakfast. But if you’re expecting breakfast on your Ale Trail trek to be hoppy, Brendan Moylan’s Marin Brewing makes a fine first stop. Beer: It’s not just for breakfast anymore.