Sonoma County, most known world-wide for the premium wines it produces, also offers libations in the form of craft beer. Highly respected local brew masters focus on wheat and hops instead of grapes, and serve up beers that rival the taste and variety of the country’s best micro-brewing regions.
Perhaps it’s the area’s rich history in beermaking – once a hop growing region, the area was also home to one of the first American microbreweries, New Albion in Sonoma, and has influenced the California craft beer revolution. Perhaps it’s the presence of an elite wine-making region that inspires our area’s artisans – whether creating beer, cheese, bread or any other culinary delight – to step up their game and produce goods of the same caliber. Perhaps it’s the discerning tastes of our residents, a mix of multi-generational natives and national and international transplants with sophisticated palates and high expectations. No matter the reason, this region is rich in beer bounty.
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| Russian River Brewing Company. Photo by tkamenick |
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| Lagunitas Brewing Company. Photo by Edwin Bautista |
Bear Republic Brewing in Healdsburg, situated smack in the middle of downtown wine-tasting rooms, boasts their Hop Rod Rye, full of floral hop aroma and subtle caramel notes. The Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa uses wine barrels from local wineries to achieve their delicious barrel-aged beer varieties, such as Temptation, a Blonde Ale aged in French oak chardonnay barrels. Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma produces Lagunitas IPA, the best-selling craft IPA in California for some time. Moonlight Brewing in rural Santa Rosa offers neither a tour nor a tap room, but quality brews made from local ingredients, such as Death and Taxes, which can be found on tap in select restaurants and bars. The list goes on: Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol, Dempsey’s Brewery in Petaluma, Sonoma Springs Brewing in Sonoma, Third Street AleWorks in Santa Rosa, Ruth McGowan’s Brewpub in Cloverdale.
In addition to beer, many of these establishments offer tours, tastings, food and live music, such as Lagunitas Brewing Company’s Tap Room and Beer Sanctuary, making for a well-rounded experience and one more thing to love about where we live.
To sample these delicious brews, follow this Wine Country Beer Tour.
Like to eat and drink? So do we. Also see:
Reason #21: Enjoy a brew with a million dollar view
Reason #48: Fall Flavors in a Glass
Reason #50: Organic at our Fingertips
Reason #66: Hard, Soft, Aromatic, Pungent – and Delicious No Matter How You Slice It
Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live
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Frank Howard Allen Realtors
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