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FRIDAY 12PM: Check into Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa, the largest city in Sonoma County, was recently named the microbrew capital of the United States. This is good starting location for your exploration of the best beer spots in the region. We've picked out three Santa Rosa lodgings, for different budgets. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Sandman Hotel, Santa Rosa, $
Sandman Hotel offers comfortable, reasonably priced lodging located close to Highway 101. If you’re looking for ease of access and all the basic amenities, this is your place. sandmansantarosa.com
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Astro Motel, Santa Rosa, $$
The Astro Motel is the latest brainchild from the team that brought Sonoma County the Spinster Sisters restaurant. Once a 1960s motor lodge that descended into neglect, the building is now getting revamped to its former mid-century glory. Located just off Highway 101 in central Santa Rosa, the motel will open in October 2017 and cater specifically to craft beer fans, cyclists, and wine lovers. theastro.com
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Vintners Inn, Santa Rosa, $$$
Treat yourself to a classy stay at one of Sonoma County’s most highly ranked hotels, the Vintners Inn. Despite close proximity to the 101 in north Santa Rosa, the hotel grounds provide the kind of seclusion that lets you get right down to the most important component of vacation: relaxation. vintnersinn.com
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FRIDAY 1 PM: Beer o'clock
Now that you’ve checked into your hotel and found your bearings, let’s get down to beer business. We've picked out three Santa Rosa spots to sip on a brew in the afternoon. (Photo by John Burgess)
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VETERAN BREWPUB
Russian River Brewing Company is listed on Google as a "busy brewpub" and that sums it up: RRBC has so much craft beer clout that it is almost always crowded. But don't let the beer fanatics deter you. This is the brewery that revolutionized the production of hoppy ales and it is a must-visit on any Sonoma County beer tour. Brave the lines and order yourself a Pliny the Elder (or Younger if it's February). You won't regret it. Three to try: Pliny the Elder - IIPA, Damnation - Belgian Golden Strong, Happy Hops - Hoppy Pale Ale.
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NEW BREWS ON THE BLOCK
After you've sipped beers at 20-year-old brewery veteran Russian River Brewing, head to one of the new kids on the beer block: Cooperage Brewing Company (don't be put off by the industrial facade, this two-year-old brewery makes some of the best beers in Santa Rosa). The brewery is spacious; it houses cornhole and foosball games and has an airy and relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy good beer. Three to try: Killa Whale - Porter, Marty Foul - IPA, Lt. Dang - Pale Ale.
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HOT CHICKS
HenHouse Brewing, founded in Petaluma - "the egg capital of the world," started out brewing small batches by any means possible and has now made it into the big leagues with their Santa Rosa brewery. What sets them apart is their razor sharp commitment to freshness and quality, be it in the keg or bottle, and their commitment to engage and educate customers about how the beer is made - in the most unpretentious way. Their limited edition Big Chicken, only available two days per year, is a big deal in the beer world and sends beer lovers on a feverish hunt for the rare bird. Three, more readily available, brews to try: Chemtrails IPA, Oyster Stout, Saison. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
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FRIDAY 6PM: Into the fog for food
Now that you've got a taste of the Santa Rosa beer scene, let's add in some food. A few miles south of Cooperage is Fogbelt Brewing Company. Fogbelt pairs a classy lineup of beer with an equally respectable menu - this isn't your run of the mill pub grub, and why should it be? This is Sonoma County, after all. Enjoy plenty of patio space, and a relaxed vibe, while you sip your way through a satisfying spectrum of beers. Three to try: Del Norte - IPA, Screaming Titan - Stout, Atlas - Blonde. (Deviled Eggs at Fogbelt, photo by Heather Irwin)
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SATURDAY 9AM: Brew o'clock
There's more than beer to Brew, like coffee that packs a punch. Start your day with peak alertness at this trendy cafe/taproom, conveniently located just off highway 101 in central Santa Rosa. The breakfast menu features a variety of coffees, teas and locally sourced sandwiches. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
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SATURDAY 10AM-1PM: Bikes and beer
You wouldn't go to Aspen and not hit the slopes, and the same should be said about Sonoma County and its bike trails. The region's world class routes bring bikers from all over the world, including during notable races such as the Amgen Tour of California. At Trail House in Santa Rosa you can pair your two favorite pastimes: bike riding and beer drinking. The bike shop/coffee and beer bar rents bikes and organizes guided tours. Post bike ride, refuel with a pint from their rotating beer selection and a bite from the menu. (Photo by Cathy Stancil)
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SATURDAY 2PM: Windsor bound
Head north toward the town of Windsor. In an unlikely location, surrounded by big box stores, you'll find a hidden gem. Barrel Brothers Brewing Company is a young operation with veteran beers. Owners and brothers-in-law Wesley Deal and Daniel Weber came together to transform a homebrew hobby into a beer business. Sours, porters, lagers; you name it, they brew it - with talent. Three to try: Dark Sarcasm - Porter, Brothermaker - IIPA, Leatherbound Books - Brown Sour. (Photo by Tom Edwards)
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SATURDAY 3PM: Head to HBG
Next stop, Healdsburg, a town known for delivering the ideal wine country experience. But this is also a good spot for those of us who prefer hops. Healdsburg Taproom pours sought after beers from their 12 taps, and has an additional 400 brews by the bottle, and fine cigars, if you are so inclined.
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SATURDAY 6PM: Vive La République
A stroll around Healdsburg is the perfect preface to dinner at Bear Republic Brewing Company. Just west of the town square, this inviting brewpub has been in the same location for two decades, and owned by the same four family members. Thanks to their flagship IPA Racer 5, "Bear" is now among the top 50 biggest craft breweries in the country. Three to try: Hop Shovel - IPA, Double Aught - Pilsner, Tartare - Berliner-style-weisse. Special tip: Bartender Ryan has been entertaining customers since the brewery’s early days, and his brewery tours have a bit of a cult following. Call ahead and arrange a tour with him.(Photo by Christopher Chung)
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SUNDAY 9AM: Parkside breakfast
Okay, campers, rise and shine - another day of beer sampling in Sonoma County is coming up. Start your Sunday with a hearty breakfast at Dierk’s Parkside Cafe in Santa Rosa. The restaurant is renowned for its skilled cooking and will go above and beyond to squash that hunger and any chance of a hangover. There is more beer to be tasted today, so fuel up. (Photo by John Burgess)
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SUNDAY 11AM: Petaluma pints
South of Santa Rosa you'll find another craft beer capital, Petaluma. We've picked out two spots for beer sampling in this river town.
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CULT CLASSIC
Another Sonoma County stop to add to your beer bucket list is Lagunitas Brewing Company. This beer sanctuary is testament to how powerful company culture can be (despite corporate acquisition) - you feel the rebel edge as soon as you set foot on the premises. All of the Lagunitas staples are available on tap, as well as harder to find styles. Given the size of the brewery operations, a tour is recommended. Three to try: Little Sumpin' EXTRA - IIPA, Cafe con Leche - Imperial Stout, Rum Barrel Aged Brown Shugga' - American Strong Ale. (Photo by John Burgess)
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BAND OF BEER BROTHERS
101 North Brewing Company, founded by brothers Joel, Jake and Joey Johnson along with friends John Brainin, John Lilienthal and Anthony Turner, is a beer geek's dream come true. These guys have been in the game a long time - brewmaster Joel Johnson honed Bear Republic's famous Hop Red Rye, one of the nation's first rye IPAs - and continue to serve up solid brews. Three to try: Naughty Aud - Imperial Stout, Heroine - IPA, Indigo - Pale Ale. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
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SUNDAY 1PM: Firefighter's lunch
With appetite in hand, head north to Grav South Brew Co. Owner Greg Rasmussen is a career firefighter who turned his homebrewing passion into a fresh new business in the otherwise brewery-free Cotati. Expect to see an approachable lineup of tried and true beers, in addition to the pub-style food menu. A roomy dining area and full view of the brewery makes for a stress-free pit stop on the way to more hops. Three to try: 7 Figure - IPA, American Barley Wine, Citra Mosaic Pale Ale. (Photo by Tim Vallery)
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SUNDAY 2PM: Beer and bottles
Just up the road from Grav South is Beercraft. The atmosphere at this bottle shop/taproom is no nonsense, and highly practical for the visitor wanting to add some bottles to their collection. The staff is committed to providing fresh and constantly rotating beers, so stop in and see if you can’t find that rare brew that’s been evading you. (Photo by Heather Irwin)
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SUNDAY 3PM: Bike ride, West County-style
For a head-clearing intermission during your final day of Sonoma beer sampling, take a casual spin on some well-maintained bike paths in Sebastopol. You can rent a bike at Sebastopol Bike Center and then experience the West County landscape, of which Luther Burbank remarked in 1875, “I firmly believe, from what I have seen, that this is the chosen spot of all this earth as far as Nature is concerned.” Here is a link to an approachable and safe 45-90 minute bike ride that starts and stops at the bike center. (Photo by Kent Porter)
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SUNDAY 5PM: Crooked craft
A 30-second walk from Sebastopol Bike Center, in the trendy Barlow marketplace, is Crooked Goat Brewing. Their hip, open interior is host to locals and visitors that enjoy a wide range of well-designed beers and food from the multiple restaurants that share the Barlow space. The highly popular crowlers (canned growlers) are a must-try, as are the fruit-infused beer blends. Three to try: Ibex - IPA, Grain & Blood - Blood Orange IIPA, Pineapple Mountain Goat - Pineapple Infused IPA. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
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SUNDAY 7PM: Grand hop finale
For beer fans who'd like to finish their Sonoma tour with a meal in Sebastopol, Hopmonk Tavern is good option. The old railway powerhouse is rich in history, the menu offers a variety of beer pairings and the draft list is top notch. In addition to food and drink, Hopmonk also serves up a vibrant music scene to elevate your evening. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
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Want to do more bike riding but still get a good feel for the local beer scene? Check out Getaway Adventures, a local bike tour company that offers Pints n Pedals. This guided bike tour runs from 10 a.m to 3:30 p.m., and take participants all the way from the Russian River to Crooked Goat Brewing Company in Sebastopol. (Photo by Charlie Gesell)
