22 Refreshing Sonoma Rosés to Sip All Summer

By Sarah Stierch

Warm weather is finally here and that means one very important thing for wine drinkers around the world: Rosé season has started. 

The selection of Rosé is larger than ever – every winery seems to be producing a Rosé! So what Rosé should you be sipping on this summer? We did the hard work for you – tasting over 60 Rosé wines from Sonoma County to discover the best of the best.

Here are the most delicious Rosés to fill your cooler with whether sipping poolside, riverside, patioside, picnicside (you get the picture!)…this summer! 

SUMMER SPARKLERS

Adobe Road Winery Sparkling Rosé
Adobe Road has released the most unique Rosés of the season, in partnership with Lagunitas Brewing Company: a sparkling Rosé. Super-limited at a mere 60 cases, this primarily Zinfandel-based wine has the rich head of a beer and the sweet flavor of watermelon and maraschino cherry. A must try for those who like to balance their wine tasting with their beer sipping.

Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards 2013 Brut Rosé
This predominantly Pinot Noir blend tops best sparkling Rosé lists annually. This sparkler is a great aperitif, with a citrus and cranberry nose and a creamy, tart, acidic taste (thanks to a touch of Chardonnay) that is filled with raspberry and a touch of bing cherry. One word sums it up: refreshing!

Iron Horse Vineyards Green Valley 2013 Spring Rosé
From the first to the final sip, Iron Horse’s estate Rosé stands up to the best of French Rosé Champagne. It’s rich with brioche, cherries, granny smith apples and tart raspberry. Oh, and lots and lots of bubbles. A classy warm weather sparkler that will impress even the snobbiest of wine drinkers.

ROSÉ FOR NEWBIES

La Crema 2016 Monterey Pinot Noir Rosé
“Starter Rosé” “Cougar Juice” and “Mom will love this” were some of the many notes that surrounded La Crema’s Rosé – and those aren’t bad things. This wine is a safe bet for group gatherings – and the price point (under $20 at the grocery store) can’t be beat. It’s filled with fruit: strawberry, watermelon, mulberry – all the good stuff you want out of a summer sipper.

Banshee Wines 2016 Rosé
A great introductory wine to convert a Rosé naysayer into a Rosé yaysayer, Banshee’s Rosé comprises something for everyone: Grenache, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Barbera. Honeysuckle and lemongrass, grapefruit and tart watermelon, this Rosé even has touches of wet stone that reminded us of premium New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Even better, it’s a mere 13% ABV, making it a true “patio pounder.”

SMALL LOT STUNNERS

Kanzler Family Vineyards 2016 Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir
This marks the second vintage of Kanzler’s Rosé, which the winery adorably describes as having a “refreshing, snappy quaff.” We couldn’t agree more – it smells and tastes of fresh picked strawberry fruit, Key lime, and honeydew. It’s based on Pinot from their estate vineyard and only 167 cases exist.

Kobler Estate Winery 2016 Russian River Rosé of Syrah
The Kobler family produces three tasty small lot Rosés, all with their own unique personalities, our favorite being the Syrah. Foodies will flock to this food-friendly Rosé. It has a unique flavor of cranberry and jelly beans, making it a perfect wine to pair with acidic foods like a watermelon, tomato and feta salad.

Passaggio Wines 2016 Tempranillo Rosé
A real standout, Passaggio’s Tempranillo uses fruit from Clarksburg to create a refreshing, smooth Rosé that we declared a “wine geek’s Rosé.” It’s delicately balanced with hints of lime and red berries, fun acid (as one would expect from winemaker Cynthia Cosco) and a smooth mouthfeel. A must try for any wine enthusiast.

RHÔNE RANGER ROSÉS

the girl & the fig 2016 Santa Barbara County Rosé
Rhône fanatics have another reason to flock to the girl & the fig: they make their own Rhône varietal wine. Their 2016 Rosé is their best yet, at 72% Grenache & 24% Syrah, accented with a touch of Cinsault, Counoise and Mourvedre. The nose has a hint of candy and Marjoram and the mouth is lush with Alpine strawberry, raspberry, and a touch of kumquat. Get it exclusively at the girl & the fig.

Pangloss Cellars 2016 Rosé
Pangloss is named after Dr. Pangloss, a character from Voltaire’s Candide, and whether you are reading the classic French satire or the latest bestseller, this wine pairs perfectly with a great book. It’s a pleasant blend of Grenache and Cinsault, the latter that gives this strawberry, verbena and Meyer Lemon-centric wine a lovely balance with a touch of cranberry.

Three Sticks Wines Casteñada Sonoma Coast Rosé
Take a cute stubby bottle, a name that rolls of the tongue (Casteñññadaaaa), a shocking pink color, oh, and a wine that tastes like fresh squeezed watermelon and strawberry juice and you’ve got one of the most sought after, cult Rosé wines on the market. Only 92 cases were made of this Rhône blend – you better share it with friends or they’ll never forgive you.

BRING YOUR OWN ROSÉ

Balletto Vineyards 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir
A perennial favorite, we loved the easy drinkability of Balletto’s Rosé. The classic strawberry notes are complemented by herbaceous green tea, Kefir lime, candied apple and a bit of minerality. At under $20 a bottle, easily findable at the grocery or liquor store across the country, and family owned and operated, it’s an easy pick for the ice bucket when company comes over.

Mathis 2016 Rosé de Grenache
Close your eyes and taste winemaker and vintner Peter Mathis’ Grenache Rosé and you’ll be transported to the south of France. It’s refreshing yet rich, with the scent of spearmint, honeysuckle and white flowers paired with the taste of white raspberry and melon. Stock the spare fridge so you’re always prepared when party time calls.

Red Car 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir
Red Car’s Rosé of Pinot Noir is the new world’s own Provençal Rosé. It’s consistently tasty each vintage, and 2016 is no exception. Our notes called it a “bouquet of delish” due to its balanced acid and classic Provençal-style attributes: it’s dry, crisp, and fresh tasting with a touch of strawberry and cherry. An all occasion wine.

OLD VINE TIME

Bedrock 2016 Ode to Lulu Rosé
The majority of the grapes used to produce Bedrock’s Rosé are from 100+ year old vineyards, with the youngest planted during Prohibition. It’s a Rosé that Robert Parker has declared one of the best he ever had. It’s a bright Rosé filled with strawberries, savory herbs, and notes of delicate deep citrus. Drink now or age – yes, age this Rosé – in your cellar for another year or two.

Lioco 2016 Indica Mendocino County Rosé of Carignan
It’s no surprise this wine is named Indica, which is a strain of cannabis that is known for its relaxation properties: this wine is from old vine Carignan vineyards just outside of Ukiah in Mendocino County (where cannabis almost rules over wine). And relaxing it is – inhale beautiful notes of dill and white flowers, followed by a taste of ripe watermelon and fresh herbs.

CAMPING TIME WINE

Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve 2016 California Rosé
KJ scored big with their new Rosé. It’s low in alcohol (13% ABV) and the screw cap makes it a great pick for summertime sipping in the sun. It’s got the right amount of sweet without being too sweet, tastes like the things we love about Rosé (strawberry & watermelon), and looks good in a glass. What more do you need? Buy it by the case for your camping trip.

Kunde Family Winery 2016 Summer’s Blush Rosé
Pop this Rosé into your floating cooler because it pairs great with tubin’ down the river. A deep, dark pink, it’s primarily Zinfandel with a touch of Grenache, Syrah and Viognier. It’s dry, with a nose of plumeria, tuberose and cream. It has a nice, acidic mouthfeel lush with stone fruit and exotic pomegranate. Screwcap included.

SANGIACOMO SIPPERS

2016 Apriori Rosé Sangiacomo Vineyard – Sonoma Coast
A new kid on the block, Apriori is a boutique winery producing small lot wines from Napa and Sonoma Counties. Their Rosé is 100% Pinot Noir from the famed Sangiacomo Vineyards in Southern Sonoma County. Kefir lime and fresh orange give it a vibrant nose while a classic palate of sweet strawberry fills the mouth. Serve ice cold, poolside.

Victor Hill 2016 Sangiacomo Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir
Winemaker and co-owner Vic McWilliams has been working with Sangiacomo Pinot for decades – he knows what he’s doing, that is for sure. With a deep palate of cranberry and raspberry, this Rosé of Pinot Noir will convert a big bold red wine fanatic (i.e. Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers) who scoff at Rosé as a “girl wine.” Don’t drink it all this summer – store a few bottles away to sip next to the firepit on a cool fall evening.

PINK PINOTS

Bruliam 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sonoma County
Specializing in Pinot Noir, Bruliam makes super small lot, single designates from some of the best vineyards around. Their Rosé is a blend of Pinot from those vineyards and is super food-friendly. Whether nibbling on fried chicken or flipping burgers on the grill, its floral nose, matched with an elegant, grassy, citrus and strawberry palate, will satisfy.

Etude 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir
Our most southern grown Rosé, Etude is known for their Pinot Noir from their estate vineyard, Grace Benoist Ranch. A beautiful shade of salmon pink, this wine has a rich nose of sweet roadside cherries, cranberry and navel orange. All that fruit flows into the taste, with a touch of watermelon and nice acid.

Before the 4th of July Parade Passes By, Get Your Outdoor Gear Right Here

By Karen Kizer
Leki Sub 1, Sonoma Outfitters
PARADE-SIDE SEATING Pack this lightweight Leki Sub 1 chair before heading out to the parade, concert or fireworks display. This compact chair is easy to carry into an event and it sets up in a snap.To make matters more awesome, a cup holder velcros onto the side. $109.95, Sonoma Outfitters, 2412 Magowan Dr, Santa Rosa, (707) 528-1920, sonomaoutfitters.com

It’s time to wish the U.S. of A. a happy birthday, and that means some time outside with crowds of revelers. Make sure you’re fully equipped to enjoy the show and the elements with these Sonoma based finds for the outdoor event adventurer.

 

Shell Yeah! Hog Island Oysters Expanding

By biteclub
Hog Island Oyster Co. partners Terry Sawyer, left, and John Finger have seen their Marshall-based business near Tomales Bay grow from a $500 investment by the Finger family into an enterprise that sells about $10 million in bivalves annually and employs about 120 people.

Soon, you won’t have to be shellfish about getting a waterfront seat for your Hog Island oysters.

On Tuesday, the 160-acre Tomales Bay oyster farm announced the acquisition of nearby Tony’s Seafood Restaurant in Marshall. The iconic waterfront restaurant owned by three generations of the Konatich family closed in January when brothers Anton and John retired.

The merger will allow the popular Hog Island Oyster Co. to greatly expand its  footprint on the coast—something fans have long been clamoring for.

“Acquiring Tony’s Seafood is an exciting opportunity to serve our growing demand of oyster lovers and to expand Hog Island’s menu options in Marshall,” said John Finger, who co-owns Hog Island Oyster Co. with Terry Sawyer. The company has gone from a $500 investment in the early 1980s by the Finger family to a multi-million dollar company.

Fans of the the Marshall oyster farm were shell-shocked when Hog Island’s Boat Oyster Bar cafe was forced to require reservations and and limit patrons to 90 minute seatings to alleviate long lines and extensive waits. The closures of Drake’s Bay Oyster Company and Tomales Bay Oyster Company’s picnicking area have created ever-increasing demands by oyster connoisseurs visiting the north coast.

After a brief revamp, the restaurant is slated to reopen sometime this summer with the historic Tony’s name and menu classics like seafood Louie salad, linguine with fresh shellfish, fish and chips and hamburgers remaining on the menu.

Hog Island will put their own touches on the menu as well, expanding the oyster bar and adding fresh local catches that have become hallmark of the nearly 35-year-old company. Hog Island Oyster Co. also operates oyster bar/restaurants in San Francisco’s Ferry Building and Napa’s Oxbow Market in addition to their Marshall farm.

“Tony’s has been a long-standing institution in Marshall,” said Finger. “We are honored to carry forward their family legacy with our own Hog Island touches.”

6 Great Summertime Beer and Music Venues in Sonoma

By Jess Poshepny Vallery

Those lazy summer days are almost here and with them the long, soft and delicious twilight evenings that call out for a cold beer with friends, to the tunes of live music. Kickstart the summer music season with this list of brew pubs and beer venues where you can rewind while taking in the sounds of the wide variety of bands available in Sonoma County.

THE LOCAL BARREL, Santa Rosa
Local Barrel presents live music every weekend on Saturdays starting between 8-9pm, and Sundays starting at 5pm. Below is a list of the latest lineup:

June 4, 5pm: Matt Bradford – Blistering dobro and gritty lyrics – a blend of folk, Americana, pop, and blues.

June 11, 5pm: Emily Hamilton – Soft vocals, acoustic guitarist, singer-songwriter.

June 17, 8pm: Robert Herrera and Ian Sherer – Local duo dishes out jazz, acoustic guitar, and rock and roll covers.

June 18, 5pm: Joe Clopton – Influenced by Nirvana, Sublime, Jack Johnson, Elliott Smith and Bob Marley, this Santa Rosa native is prepared to rock your Father’s Day.

June 24, 9pm: The Aces Reunion Show – This popular Sonoma County blues band are itching to squeeze out some sparks after ten years apart.

Local Barrel Taproom, 490 Mendocino Ave #104, Santa Rosa, facebook.com/TheLocalBarrel @TheLocalBarrel

BREWSTERS BEER GARDEN, Petaluma
Brewsters embraces the local music scene with its large outdoor space. This summer’s shows include:

Every Thursday, 5-8pm: “Bourbon & Bluegrass” – Enjoy a different bluegrass band every Thursday while Brewsters highlight a special bourbon in either a flight or special cocktail.

June 2, 5pm: The Hucklebucks – Picture a generous helping of West Coast jump blues, fold in an ample sampling of New Orleans rock n’ roll.

June 3, 3pm: Arizona and the Volunteers – Shake in a variety of blues, rock, soul, jazz, metal, then stir a lullaby or two into the mix.

June 4, 3pm: Todos Santos – the band blends Harmony driven roots, intermingles a little jazz, country, latin, blues, and then weaves in an original tune or two.

Brewsters has live music Fridays at 5pm, and every Saturday and Sunday starting at 3pm. Check their website under the calendar section for specific band dates.

Brewsters Beer Garden + Restaurant, 229 Water Street North, Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com @BrewstersBeerGarden

SONOMA SPEAKEASY, Sonoma
Enjoy some of the best blues-, Americana-, and country musicians Sonoma has to offer while partaking of a wide and varied selection of beer and wine. Upcoming acts include:

June 2, 7:30pm: Dan Martin and Noma Rocksteady Band – A San Francisco reggae, ska, and rocksteady band.

June 2, 6:30pm: Bruce Gordon – A jump, swing, and blues band to keep you movin’!

June 3, 6:30pm: Full Circle – A popular local cover band featuring keyboard, electric guitar and electric mandolin.

June 4, 5pm: Brandon Eardley – A mix of reggae, rock, folk, and blues.

Every Sunday, 8:30pm: Sonoma Acoustic Blues Jam, where anyone who wishes can have their turn in a jam session with other local artists and talents.

Doors open an hour before the show starts, unless otherwise noted. For a full list of musical acts, visit their website.

Sonoma Speakeasy, 452 1st Street East, Suite G, Sonoma, sonomaspeakeasymusic.com

HOPMONK TAVERN, Sebastopol
Live music every Friday and Saturday nights and some shows mid-week. Check calendar for upcoming events. Admission is $10 per person and most events are friendly for all ages.

June 2, 9pm: Train Wreck Junction – This band steams full speed ahead while flirting with a variety of country music eras.

June 4, 8pm: Parcivillian – An ample blend of rippling folk, punchy rock, stinging blues, and hard groove funk music.

HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol, hopmonk.com

BREW COFFEE AND BEER, Santa Rosa
There’s more to brew than coffee and beer, like live music in the quaint little cafe just outside of downtown Santa Rosa. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events.

June 5, 7pm: Eileen and the In-Betweens – A five piece social justice indie folk band blown into the Bay Area on a southwest wind. Based out of New Mexico, this is a band of enchantment.

Brew, 555 Healdsburg Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-303-7372, brewcoffeeandbeer.com, @BrewCoffeeAndBeer

ST. FLORIAN’S BREWERY, Windsor
St. Florian’s offers fun for the whole family in the parking lot beside their brewery. Check their Facebook page for more events.

June 17: The Renovators – A Sonoma County rock n’ roll band playing  great covers for you to rock you.

St. Florian’s Brewery, 7704 Bell Rd, Windsor, 707-838-2739, stflroiansbrewery.com, @StFloriansBrewery

 

LGBTQ Locals’ Favorite Spots in Sonoma County

By Sarah Stierch
Taylor Maid Farms, Sebastopol, California
(Photo: John Burgess)

Ask a few locals what to see and do in Sonoma County and their answers are likely to be as diverse as the types of grapes growing in our famous vineyards. Everyone has their particular favorites; their own hidden gems that will take Sonoma visitors on roads less traveled. This diversity in preference, naturally, also extends to our vibrant LGBTQ community.

Leading up to Sonoma County Pride (June 2-4), we decided to reach out to LGBTQ folks from throughout the county to discover their favorite local spots. Click through the gallery above for all the details. 

 

BottleRock 2017: The Year of the Craft Beer

By Jess Poshepny Vallery

BottleRock Napa Valley drew 120,000 music lovers over the three day Memorial Day weekend. As eighty bands served up a torrent of tunes on the festival’s four music stages — Maroon 5, Warren G,  House of Pain, Foo Fighters and Tom Petty fan favorites — festival food, wine, and craft beer helped to keep the energy up. The best local eateries served savory and sweet dishes for foodies while the Bay Area’s finest breweries provided ample wherewithal to wash it all down… oh so smoothly.

“I just love the beer selection this year; my favorite — Barrel Brothers HibisKISS beer — is a perfect brew for a sunny day,” enthused Jen Polston of Santa Rosa.

While brew aficionados tended to the ecstatic in their excitement for BottleRocks’s beer garden; brewers leavened their enthusiasm with a grain of the pragmatic. Partner John Lilienthal of 101 North Brewing, suppliers of Heroine IPA for the last three years, commented,

“It’s good exposure and worth the marketing dollars for us because they (festival-goers) buy enough beer for us to break even. And all craft beer was in the beer garden, so craft drinkers knew exactly where to go.”

Lagunitas, a sponsor of the three-day event, while no longer technically “craft” after their buyout by Heineken, continues to serve up some incredible beers. Despite Lagunitas’s disqualification as a “craft beer” due to brewery size, we’d like to unofficially grandfather them into the “craft” category — for their long and pioneering history as a Sonoma County “craft beer.”

Check out the gallery above for an inside look at the fun all the craft beer drinkers were having at BottleRock Napa Valley this year. 

10 Incredible Offstage Moments with BottleRock Artists

By Estefany Gonzalez

This year’s BottleRock Napa Valley festival featured an impressive lineup of musical talent and celebrity chefs.

To help BottleRock attendees prepare for the weekend fest and get the most out of the experience, we listed five BottleRock acts not to miss leading up to the festival and shared essential tips on how to survive three days of partying.

To make sure that you also got to “meet” your favorite acts offstage, we sent our nightlife photographer Estefany Gonzalez to snap portraits of 10 impressive BottleRock artists – just in case you didn’t get a chance to bump into them during the festival. Click through the gallery above to meet the artists. 

BottleRock 2017: 26 Favorite Crowd Photos

By Estefany Gonzalez

Going back to work after a three-day weekend is hard, especially if you spent it at the 2017 BottleRock hanging out in the sun, listening to great live music, sipping wine and beer and eating tasty food.

Now that you’ve had a day to come to terms with the festival coming to an end, our photographer Estefany Gonzalez has put together a BottleRock photo recap with our favorite crowd moments to get you through your first day back at work or help you remember a few moments the euphoria (or extra glasses of wine) may have made you forget…

 

5 Highlights From This Year’s BottleRock

By Estefany Gonzalez

If you follow Sonoma Magazine on Instagram, you probably saw Estefany Gonzalez, our music and arts reporter and photographer, buzzing around the 2017 BottleRock Napa Valley Festival this weekend snapping photos, meeting up with bands, and exploring the festivities and fashion on the festival grounds. Here’s Estefany’s top five highlights from this year’s BottleRock – and the one thing she regrets she missed: 

My Biggest Regret: Missing Foo Fighters Secret Set
I’m sorry to say that most of this year’s BottleRock attendees – including myself – missed the biggest BottleRock festival happening to date. I’m referring to the Foo Fighters’ secret and intimate two-hour set at the Blue Note in downtown Napa on May 26.

As someone who openly confessed that I wouldn’t be stopping by any of the BottleRock after shows, I mentally kicked myself as I sat at the very back of the Jam Cellars stage on Sunday night watching the Foo Fighters play. It was almost incredible to imagine that the same band I saw so many people watch on LED concert screens from the culinary stage still would play a venue smaller than the Arlene Francis Center in Santa Rosa. I made a mental note for myself to stick around for more after shows next year.

https://youtu.be/44q-Oqq81bM

Martha Stewart Cooking with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
The culinary stage at BottleRock Napa undoubtedly served up quite a few surprises. This year’s most exciting celebrity fusion was the Martha Stewart, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis mashup, which resulted in fans fighting over a piece of chicken Macklemore threw at the crowd. I couldn’t help but laugh when Macklemore mentioned this later on the Jam Cellars stage, before he played “Thrift Shop,” saying he was now friends with Stewart, even though she told him he couldn’t cook but he sure could dress well…

The Ayesha Curry Drake Parody 
… Oh, and then there was that moment when Ayesha Curry rapped to a Drake parody on the culinary stage, alongside hype man E-40 and husband Stephen Curry.

Getting Intimate at the JamPad Sessions 
Another highlight this year was the number of pop-up “JaMSessions” at the JamPad.

This particular stage (if you could really call it a “stage;” there was no clear divider between the floor and the performance area) offered short acoustic song sets from a number of musicians. It provided a closer and more intimate setting than the large stages most of these artists played earlier in the day.

Con Brio, Judah & the Lion, and Gnash were some of the artists who played this close-knit stage.

Panicking! At The Disco
If you followed Sonoma Magazine’s Instagram feed this weekend, you’ve already seen how epic the silent disco was, but let me elaborate.

When I first heard about the silent disco, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. I mean, Tom Petty was playing the main stage when Outkast’s Big Boi and The White Panda kicked off Saturday’s silent dance party. After the loss of so many musical legends last year, was I really going to miss some of Tom Petty’s set?

Well, I did and let me tell you, I have no regrets. This was, after all, America’s largest silent disco that shattered the previous American record of 3500 headphones, with 5000 participants. Sure, I thought I’d look a little silly dancing around to no sound (at least that’s what it looked like to the people exiting the festival at this point) but once I saw everyone around me cutting loose I couldn’t help but join in.

Cue the ‘Que: It’s Always Beer Garden Season at Brewsters in Petaluma

By biteclub
Brewster’s Beer Garden in Petaluma. Heather Irwin/PD
Brewster’s Beer Garden in Petaluma. Heather Irwin/PD

Just two hours earlier and I’d have been witness to an entire goat splayed over an impromptu pit of bricks and coals at Brewster’s Beer Garden. This ancient style of cooking, using a metal cross, isn’t a sight for everyone, but cooking “asado al palo” —literally meaning barbecued on a spit” — is a Spanish tradition that makes for some of the tastiest grilled meats you’ll ever have.

This is serious pit master kinda stuff, and a far cry from the kind of cooking Chris Beerman, who heads the kitchen at Petaluma’s Brewster’s Beer Garden, was doing at the haute San Francisco restaurant Boulevard, where tweezers rather than Volkswagon-sized barbecues, were the norm.

But at this 350-seat outdoor beer garden in the heart of downtown Petaluma, he’s clearly in his element, frequently roasting entire beasts for the restaurant’s impressive barbecue dishes. Ranging from special goat tacos prepared for Cinco de Mayo, to wet-mopped chopped “whole hog” and smoked lamb, ‘que has clearly become Beerman’s culinary jam since moving from San Francisco.

Having tasted some of the very best — and very worst — barbecue that Sonoma County has to offer, I give Brewster’s high marks for flavor and technique. When it’s been a good long while since we’ve had a barbecued rib that actually fell off the bone without the use of a knife/hacksaw/gnawing, Brewster’s was a welcome relief; with smokey, saucy pork that acquiesces like a Georgia peach in August. As not to create a civil war among ‘que-thusiasts, Beerman makes a solid Texas-style beef brisket, St. Louis style pork ribs and even smoked Korean short ribs.

And even though there are also smoked beets, smoked wings, smoky pork belly, a smoky mezcal cocktail and smoked tea leaves, don’t bank on Brewster’s just being a barbecue spot.

Beerman, who was also exec chef at SF diner Citizens Band and donut-mecca, Pinkie’s Bakery, puts both skillsets to work making modern comfort classics that include his signature onion ring-topped mac and cheese, fried chicken sandwich and chocolate brownie sundae.

“You should come see our garden sometime,” he says, between running back to the open kitchen and a smoker with a perfectly lacquered ham hock he occasionally peeks at. At his Petaluma home, he’s growing some of the restaurant’s produce, while sourcing the rest of the menu from local farms, ranches and producers including Filigree Farms, Alchemist Farms, Marin Sun Farms, Nicasio Valley, Stemple Ranch and the darlings-of-the-moment, CHEVOO goat cheese made with Aleppo-Urfa chili and lemon.

The infused olive oil chevre stars in the smoked beet salad ($11), with frisse, mustard greens and walnuts, with the olive oil also serving as an ingredient in the dressing. A must order.

Other favorites

Pork Belly with Cheese Curds: What could be a hot mess on a plate comes with two large pieces of crispy belly, Romesco sauce and fluffy Beecher’s Cheese curds. The snap peas on the bottom serve as a tasty foil to all the decadence.

Fried Chicken Sando ($14): The best fried-chicken sandwich, probably ever. Crispy-yet-juicy chicken, slab bacon, melty goat cheddar, garlic mayo, Della Fattoria bun. Eat quickly so as not to require sharing.

Beer cocktails: On a hot day, there’s just about nothing tastier than a beer. But add, say, pear cider to a crisp pale ale ($7, Pear Pressure) or a nitro cold brew to coconut porter ($9, Surf Bro) and you’ve got an afternoon made for bocce and bluegrass (both of which are featured at the sprawling garden).

Cocktail cocktails: Seasonal cocktails with a side of obsession. Beverage director Alfie Turnshek can talk for hours about how he infuses buttered popcorn into rum for his “Cineplex” ($9), which is a take on rum and Coke with a movie theme. Or the mole bitters, made with chocolate and cinnamon in the Petaloma ($10), made with tequila, mezcal, grapefruit and lemon-lime soda. Big city cocktails with a small town prices (nothing over $10). There’s also a huge selection of craft beers on draft from near and far, including Anderson Valley, Henhouse, 101 North and Bear Republic.

Brownie Sundae: Usually strictly kid-stuff, this grown up version has Valrohna chocolate, Three Twins ice cream, graham crumbles and more chocolate on top. Doesn’t have to be nearly this delicious, but is.

If you go

The space is immense, with a plethora of picnic-style tables. Great for a group, or if you’re interested in being social. A bocce court for grown-ups and a kids’ area to let the tots go nuts. Brunch served on Saturday and Sunday. Abbreviated lunch menu starts at 11:30 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m when the larger dinner menu emerges. Kids menu with chicken fingers and other tasty kid grub. Dogs welcome. Weekly music events Friday through Sunday regularly; every other Thursday is Bluegrass and Bourbon.

Know that: This busy restaurant can get crowded, and service can range from enthusiastic to dismissive depending on the time of day and staffing. Plating can also get a little haphazard when the kitchen is really humming. Parking can also get tight, but there are several overflow lots. Finding the restaurant is tricky, since there’s not much signage from the street.

Overall: Brewster’s Beer Garden is a new go-to beer garden with room for the whole family (including Rover), great barbecue and a top-shelf chef. Reasonably priced cocktails and plenty on draft make it doubly delicious.

229 Water St. North, Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 to 10p.m., midnight on Friday and Saturday.