Sonoma County Beer Savoring

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Sonoma County Brewpubs

Stumptown Brewery
Located on the Russian River in Guerneville, is home of the celebrated Russian River Beer Revival BBQ Cookoff, where they host 30 breweries and 30 barbeque teams on their riverside lawn. It happens in August anually, so get your tickets early (they sell out fast)! But if you can’t make that event, any time is a great time to come in and sample their Rat Bastard Ale, Bootlegger IPA or Bushwhacker Wheat, along with some other local favorites like Moonlight’s Death and Taxes and Bear Republic’s Racer IPA.
15045 River Rd, Guerneville; T: 707-869-0705 | FOOD MENU

Bear Republic Brewing Co.
A beer-lover’s oasis in a sea of great wine tasting. Located off the Healdsburg Plaza, Bear Republic is celebrating a Bronze Medal in the American-Style Black Ale Category for Black Racer at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival. Stop in and sample Racer 5 IPA, Red Rocket Ale, Hop Rod Rye, Big Bear Black Stout, Peter Brown Tribute Ale, or XP Pale Ale. Specialty brews, not always available, include Apex, Black Raven Porter, Double Rocket Imperial Red Ale and their double IPA, Five Zero. They also have great food with a great atmosphere. Bear Republic brews are available across the country.
345 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg. 707-433-2337 | FOOD MENU

Dempsey’s Restaurant & Brewery
Sonoma County’s oldest brewery, now celebrating their 20th year. Stop in and sample their Red Rooster Ale, Ugly Dog Stout, Sonoma Irish Ale, Galaxy IPA or Petaluma Strong Ale. Complement it with a burger or other pub fare, while you relax on their riverside patio.
50 E. Washington Street (Golden Eagle Shopping Center), Petaluma. •707 765-9694 | FOOD MENU

Lagunitas Brewing Company
Offers a great tour of its Northeast Petaluma facility. You will start with some history and tastings, then end your tour with the beer of your choice in their Tap Room and Beer Sanctuary. Sample the famous IPA, Little Sumpin’ Wild Ale, Brown Shugga and many limited production ales you won’t find anywhere else. Or just go straight for the 8% Hop Stoopid! Walking Tours happen Wed-Fri at 3:00 & 5:00, Sat-Sun 1:00, 3:00 & 5:00. Tasting Tours are weekdays at 3 pm. Lagunitas also serves up an eclectic mix of live music and hearty paninis in their beer garden.
1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. 707-778-8776 

Russian River Brewing Company
(RRBC) was originally owned by Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, California and was founded on their historic and beautiful property amidst vineyards and redwoods near the Russian River. When Korbel decided to get out of the beer business in 2003, they generously offered the brewmaster, Vinnie Cilurzo and his wife Natalie the rights to the brand. While at Korbel, Vinnie started experimenting with brewing beers in wine barrels (he had just one barrel at the time) and created RRBC’s flagship beer, Pliny the Elder. The reputation for Pliny the Elder has grown exponentially since it was unveiled in a Double IPA Festival in the year 2000. This year (2012), on the first friday of February, RRBC unveiled Pliny the Younger, their first Triple IPA! Drop in to their 4th Street location and order a sampler. They have 18 beers on tap, including their well-known Damnation (10.75% alcohol, triple-aged with oak chips), Blind Pig IPA, Perdition, Supplication (barrel-aged in Pinot barrels), Temptation (Sour Aged in Chardonnay barrels) and Consecration (Sour Aged in Cabernet barrels).
725 4th Street, Santa Rosa. 707.545.BEER. | FOOD MENU

Third Street Aleworks
Opened to the public on March 8th, 1996 when the combined efforts of Todd Hedrick, Chris Hagan and Jim Tasley made their dreams of opening a brewery a reality. Their philosophy about beer and brewing is simple – use the best ingredients possible; never cut corners; and keep it fresh! Brewmaster Randall Gremp has the task of producing an ever-widening group of “standard” beers (i.e., beers which have come to be expected by our discerning clientele) while also introducing more exotic and experimental styles to the mix. On any given day, there are between 10-13 beers on tap, including cask-conditioned ales and house-brewed root beer. Outfitted with a state of the art 15 Barrel Brewing System from Pub Brewing Co. of Santa Rosa, brewery tours are available by appointment, so give them a call! Or just stop in and sample signature brews like Stonefly Oatmeal Stout, Annadel Pale Ale, Bodega Head IPA and Stepchild Red.
610 3rd Street, Santa Rosa. 707-523-3060.

Moonlight Brewery
Started in rural Santa Rosa in 1992 by Brian Hunt. Small by most all comparisons, the brewery has capacity for about 1000 barrels per year. Whereas the original brewery was in a converted tractor barn, today it’s house in a building built in 2003 for the brewery. Currently all the beers are only sold in kegs and can be found in San Francisco, the East Bay and North Bay counties. Mendocino and Lake Counties have a few spots, and there are rare sightings in Santa Cruz, Seal Beach, and San Diego. While there is currently no tasting location, you can find their signature Death & Taxes, Lunatic Lager and Reality Czeck in many restaurants and breweries in this area.

Ruth McGowan’s Brewpub
Sonoma County’s northernmost brewery, is located in the second coolest town in the United States (according to budgettravel.com), Cloverdale. Mary Ann and Mike Brigham opened their Brewpub on March 17, 2002, naming it in honor of Mike’s Grandma. Feisty, stout hearted Ruth still shoveled snow off her sidewalk and mowed her own lawn at age 96, back home in New London, Wisconsin. This family-friendly pub proudly features gleaming copper tanks. Come in and sample Caroline’s Blonde, flagship amber Cloverdale Ale, Monster Brown Ale, Ruth’s Citrus Wheat or Floyd India Pale Ale. Pick your favorite, then order a Growler!
131 E. First Street, Cloverdale. (707) 894-9610 | FOOD MENU

Sonoma Springs Brewing Company
A recent entry to the Sonoma County family of breweries. Brewing German style beers and California Ales, they are offering Wolf House Double Black IPA, Noma Coma Imperial IPA and more.
750 W. Napa St., Sonoma. 707.938.7422.

ACE Premium Hard Ciders
ACE has been making ACE ciders for 15 years in the beautiful Sebastopol area of Sonoma County in California; right along side of famous world renowned wine makers. Thanks to Ace Hard Cider – America’s Best – the cider business in America is growing rapidly, There really is a refreshing alternative to simply beer and it’s Ace’s!
2064 Gravenstein Highway North, Building 4, Sebastopol; (707) 829-1101

Russian River Pubs

Russian River Pub
Russian River Pub was featured on Food Network’s pilot episode of Diners Drive-Ins and Dives hosted by local favorite Guy Fieri! For the last 20 years, the Russian River Pub has been one of Guy’s favorite restaurants and it’s no wonder they were featured in their American Cookin’ episode. The spotlight was on their Famous Chicken Wings and ultimate Pub Burger, because a story about the Russian River Pub could not be complete without them. In addition to these, they featured locals’ favorite picks including our Killer Prime Rib and Pesto Chicken Sandwiches.
11829 River Rd, Forestville, (707) 887-7932 | FOOD MENU

Rio Nido Roadhouse
Every weekend different bands roll into this eclectic wayside eatery and swim center, providing audiences with danceable music from the 30’s and 40’s, to the Beatles, Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones, French funk folk, rock ‘n roll, country, reggae, and swing, to hot jazz and cool blues. There’s great music, American roadhouse-style food, full bar with 15 beers on tap, and lots of dancing. Even a few two-to-six year olds who show up with their parents have shown some creative moves out there on the dance floor.
14540 Canyon Two, Rio Nido; 707-869-0821 | FOOD MENU

Barley and Hops Tavern
Local, and always from-scratch, their pub grub is the best in the area. Everything is below 15 dollars, and hand-made; from pub classics to eclectic favorites. They focus on cooking with craft beer, and serve 10 drafts, and 40+ bottles from local and worldwide craft breweries. A small selection of local wines by-the-glass and hand-crafted local ciders are also available. Live music on the weekends!
3688 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental; Phone 707.874.9037 | FOOD MENU

Hopmonk Tavern
Live Music, 16 Fresh seasonally selected drafts (local, regional and international) and fresh cuisine with an emphasis on local ingredients.
230 Petaluma ave., Sebastopol; T: 707-829-7300 | FOOD MENU

Blue Heron Restaurant and Tavern
Situated in the tiny little village of Duncans Mills deep in the heart of ancient California redwoods, the Blue Heron is a favorite among locals and tourists. Dinner is served nightly Wednesday - Sunday at 5PM. Lunch is served Saturday & Sunday 1 - 4PM. Cozy up to the bar in our rustic tavern for a cold brew or your favorite adult libation and enjoy live music 5 nights a week.
25300 Steelhead Blvd, Duncans Mills; T: 707-865-2261 | FOOD MENU