New Craft Beer in NorCal

Beer Northern California

In a recent post, specifically THIS ONE, I proposed a Central Coast craft beer itinerary. Now let’s see what is new in NorCal.

In this companion piece, we venture even further north to the Bay Area, State Capital (and beyond) to see what is brewing in the rest of the Golden state.

Our first summer stop in search of beer is in Oakland.  The Olde Depot is a new beer bar and home to vegan eats as well.  They will have 40 (well cared for and rotating) tap lines to go along with sandwiches, appetizers and some beer battered onion rings.  And since you are in Oakland, hit up Linden Street Brewing and try their Urban People’s Common Lager.

Next is neighboring San Francisco and I have two choices to hit there as well if you don’t count the MANDATORY stop at City Beer.  First up is the new Mikkeller Bar. A mere 42 taps are on hand (including two casks) in multiple rooms in their new Tenderloin home. Expect beers on draft and sours not normally seen on the West Coast.  Then head over to the bustling Drake’s Barrel House.  Technically it is in San Leandro but expect some great beer in whatever format is needed, “Taster trays are available, as are growler fills, six-packs, and 22 oz. “bombers.”

Then we head to the (still) home of the Sacramento Kings to sample beer in a ring of towns around Sacramento at a trio of State Capital breweries: Berryessa Brewing Company, American River, Loomis Basin.

From Winters to Loomis and then Rancho Cordova, you will find a summer break full of craft beer on tap.

Now that the NEW has been covered it is time to relish a classic Beer of the WeekLiberty Ale from Anchor Brewing has been around a long time and for good reason.  It is one of first dry hopped beers!  And even Anchor has some new developments.  They will be creating a massive new space for brewing and drinking and eating and even a beer museum.  When completed, this Anchor location on Pier 48 will be a major craft beer destination.

Dry River Brewing has a Kickstarter with less than a month to go!  And if any of these beers sound tempting: Horchata Cream Ale, Rio Seco Pale, Hop on Board IPA, Man-overboard Double IPA and Chamomile Honey Wheat then break out your checkbook, the electronic one, and help out this new brewing entrant to the L.A. scene.

Find more of Sean Inman’s writing on his blog, Beer Search Party.

Tags:

Sean Inman

Find more of Sean Inman's writing on his blog, Beer Search Party.

Leave a Comment