7 Best Sonoma Beer Venues to Take Dad for Father’s Day

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B & V WHISKEY BAR AND GRILLE, Sonoma
Housed in the historic Sonoma Creamery building on the Sonoma Plaza, B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille is a brewpub, whiskey bar, live music venue and restaurant all wrapped into one. Perhaps your dad took you to this iconic Sonoma spot as a child, treating you to ice cream on a sweltering summer day. Now, it is your turn to return the favor - but this time, with beer. (Photo by John Burgess)

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B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille owners Codi Binkley and Carlo Cavallo have transformed the interior into an inviting Wine Country venue with crafted wood tables, barrel stave barstools, leather bench seating and barrel heads branded with local wineries as decor. The menu features farm-to-table fare as well as comfort classics (baby back ribs, fried chicken, and burgers). Enjoy a nice lunch or dinner on the plaza with ice cold beers from the draft, wines, whiskey or cocktails. B & V Whiskey Bar and Grille, 400 1st St E, Sonoma 95476, 707-938-7110, bvsonoma.com

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PALOOZA GASTROPUB, Kenwood
If your Dad likes oysters and is looking to try something new - but you have your three small children with you - head to Palooza in Kenwood. This family-friendly gastropub has a cozy indoor seating area, a large patio covered by trellis, a natural wood bar that spans almost the length of the restaurant, an upstairs area with additional seating, along with games, pool tables, and big screen TV. (Photo by Erik Castro: Palooza owners Jeff and Suzette Tyler)

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Palooza owners Suzette and Jeff Tyler have a background in construction, and have done most of the work on the restaurant: corrugated metal, natural wood and black walls with chalkboard-style writing create a hip, modern feel. Start the evening with a bottle of La Prenda white wine and a dozen oysters for $49, and then make your pick from a menu of high-end pub fare, including wood-fired pizzas, house-made mozzarella, juicy burgers and an in-house smoked meat reuben. The Tylers take their beer seriously: all of their 16 taps are from Bay Area craft breweries. Palooza Gastropub, 8910 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood 95452, 707-833-4000, paloozafresh.com, @PaloozaGastropub

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RUSSIAN RIVER BREWING COMPANY (RRBC), Santa Rosa
Everyone and their father will be at RRBC this weekend. But don't let the crowds scare you away - because, at this Santa Rosa beer mecca known for its Plinys, this is just like any other day. While there may be a line to get in, see it as part of the experience and spend some time catching up with Dad. Then, while you wait for a table, check out the extensive beer board: there's currently 21 beers to choose from, including the highly sough-after Beatification, a golden ale that is spontaneously fermented then barrel aged for a tasty finished product that is unlike any other beer. (Photo by Christopher Chung)

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For Dads interested in the beer-making process, the Russian River Brewing Co. brewery facility is just behind the taps and, if you want an immersive craft beer experience, you can order a sampler of all 21 beers for a reasonable price. Dad might even make a few new beer-loving friends while there, the pub is always filled with locals and tourist beer-geeks eager to strike up a conversation with their neighbors. If you really want to impress dad, buy a growler to go. Russian River Brewing Company, 725 4th St, Santa Rosa 95404, 707- 545-2337, russianriverbrewing.com, @RussianRiverOfficial. (Photo by Christopher Chung)

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LOCAL BARREL, Santa Rosa
On Saturday, Local Barrel in Santa Rosa is celebrating their one-year anniversary with a big all-day partay. There will be happy-hour pricing throughout the day, with discounts on draft beer and wines from the tap, a complimentary taco bar, and live music by local singer-songwriter Robert Herrera and Ian Sherer of the Gypsy Trio, starting at 8pm. Arrive early to catch the Giants game on one of their big screens, then catch up with Dad while playing a game and sipping on a few rare brews. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

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Located just a few blocks from Santa Rosa's recently upgraded courthouse square, Local Barrel has become a locals hangout for both people in the beer business and people who just like to drink good beer. The black board behind the artisan bar (made from poured concrete and barrel staves) lists 21 rotating beers on draft and wines on tap. They've recently expanded their offerings, now including bottles of beers and ciders to-go, as well as sparkling wines. Local Barrel Taproom, 490 Mendocino Ave #104, Santa Rosa 95401, facebook.com/TheLocalBarrel, @TheLocalBarrel. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

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CONFLUENCE TAPROOM AND LOUNGE, Santa Rosa
A newcomer on the local beer scene, Confluence opened in late May and will be celebrating their grand opening on Father's Day weekend (Saturday). There will be Camacho’s BBQ for purchase, reduced pricing on beer and wine, and live music from 2-6pm (happy hour pricing is all day). Beer is offered in 5 oz pours and full pints and there's a small menu with all of the regular beer bites, including mac n’ cheese topped with bacon, clam chowder, a meatball sandwich, and chicken wings. 

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Located in a two-story office/retail building, the folks at Confluence have spruced up the taproom entrance with a mural, a sliding wood-door, and tall dark red posts on either side of the door, leading up to an arch surrounded by painted ivy. Founder Peter Lopez Jr. developed the interior with much thought as well: the taproom features a wall covered in what first appear to be records, but that are actually rounded keg tags. There are big screen TVs throughout, a projector wall in the center of large red curtains behind the bar, a fireplace surrounded by stone tiles, ample seating, a long bar, a pretty patio and a chill vibe. Confluence Taproom & Lounge, 4357 Montgomery Dr, Santa Rosa 95405, 707-293-9702, confluencetaproom.com. (Photo by Tim Vallery)

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BREWSTERS BEER GARDEN & RESTAURANT, Petaluma
Pair your beer with some bocce this Father's Day. Brewsters, opened in November in the historic downtown district in Petaluma, is a gourmet Southern-style beer garden with over 350 seats, 30 beers on tap, many more brews by the bottle and a bocce court in the back. Brewsters pours their own IPA, produced by Petaluma Hills Brewing Company, and offers beers from several other local breweries, including Lagunitas, 101 North and HenHouse. On Sunday, there will be live folk music between 3-6pm by Matt Lax and Nearly Beloved. (Photo by Heather Irwin)

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Brewsters Beer Garden chef/co-owner Chris Beerman (now that's a great name!) serves up BBQ classics dad will love: like brisket, ribs, and fried chicken. There's also Sonoma wine and creative cocktails at the bar. Brewsters Beer Garden + Restaurant, 229 Water Street North, Petaluma 94952, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com, @BrewstersBeerGarden (Photo by Heather Irwin)

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STUMPTOWN BREWERY, Gurneville
West County locals, visitors seeking the solace of the Armstrong Redwoods, Sonoma Coast campers and motorcycle riders on a scenic ride all stop to enjoy beer, side by side, at this Guerneville brewpub. The building is made of wood and brick and, as you enter, to the right is a large beer silo. The indoor space is dimly-lit with dining tables and a bar that connects to the extensive patio: the real gem of Stumptown.

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Since 2002, people have flocked to Stumptown to enjoy the Russian River view, house-made brews (like the Rat Bastard Pale Ale - pictured), cocktails (think bacon Bloody Mary) and barbecue (the smoked brisket sandwich is a must-try for dads who appreciate a good barbecue). Stumptown Brewery, 15045 River Road, Gurneville 95446, 707-869-0705, stumptown.com. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

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