The Beer-cation tour then traverses northwest on CA Highway 128, one of Mendocino’s two wine regions and home of award winning pinot noir producers. This annual event showcases breweries from all over the west with over 100 brews to sample and enjoy.

If you have extra time after sampling their stellar brews, check out their dedicated disc golf course! If you’re in town in April, AVBC hosts the Legendary Boonville Beer Festival. In 1996, demand for their award-winning ales exceeded capacity at the brew house so they constructed their current facility.

More importantly for our purposes though, 253 will literally deposit you at the entrance of AVBC in Boonville, at the intersection of Highways 253 and 128.Ī valley staple since 1987, the AVBC got its start in a 10-barrel brew house down the highway from its current location. Now, on to the next Mendocino County town on our Beer-cation, Boonville.ĭouble back a few miles south on either US 101 or Ukiah’s South State Street to CA Route 253, which takes you into Anderson Valley, home of amazing brews, award winning pinots and not one, but two groves of old growth redwood trees. In September, your visit may coincide with Pints on the Plaza, providing a chance to sample a variety of microbrews, enjoy live music, vendor booths, food and refreshments in historic downtown. If visiting Ukiah in June, the Taste of Downtown brings together wineries and breweries from throughout the region with downtown merchants to offer tastings and live entertainment. The eclectic menu changes seasonally and is based on what local farmers, ranchers and fishermen provide. It has a gastropub on the main floor, fine dining room on the mezzanine level, a comfy lounge off the brew house, and an outdoor patio for those who like to dine al fresco. Ukiah Brewing Company is located in the historic Marks Building in the heart of downtown. You might want to stop at one of the many superior wineries along the way.Ī quick drive into downtown Ukiah takes you to Ritual, until recently Ukiah Brewing Company. Travel north along US 101 for about 40 miles and you’ll find (in order of appearance):Īgain, continue on highway 101 north to Ukiah, for the brewery that got its start in Hopland. Leave the hectic energy of the city in the rear view mirror as you head north across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Remember, visiting this area offers the chance to see the tallest trees on the planet, the dramatic Pacific coastline, and for those who want to change-up your drink of choice, many places to experience family friendly artisanal wineries and kombucha. Our Beer-cation recommendations begin in San Francisco’s North Bay, with some heavy hitting breweries, and loops you through the greatest hits of beer in the region.įor recommendations on lodging and attractions, please visit any of the area’s fine visitors bureaus, listed at the end of this itinerary.

A wild coastline, the tallest trees on the planet, volcanic lakes, waterfalls, mountains, pioneer history, National Parks, steam trains and frontier and Victorian towns, this is one of the few places in the world where you can find it all. Northern California is home to some of the best beer anywhere and offers some spectacular scenery as the backdrop for this brew-centric tour. Two Pitchers Brewing Co.: 2344 Webster St., Oakland 51, in the Beauty of California’s North Coast and Shasta Cascade Regions

The brewery now sells radlers in stores around the country and at its new Oakland taproom, also the site of the popular burger joint, Lovely’s. The goal was to take this maligned concept and bring it into the craft fold for the first time,” Hester says. “We came up with the idea to make craft radlers – small-batch beers blended with all-natural fruits and juices post-fermentation. What they loved was light, aromatic and a perfect thirst-quencher after a hot day of playing ball. During those long hours with no playing time in sight, we found a shared love of craft beer.” “We were pretty firmly stapled to the bench for most of our collegiate careers. “Playing might be a little generous, though,” says co-founder Tommy Hester. The founders of Two Pitchers met while playing on the Williams College baseball team in Massachusetts. Unit 30, San Jose 66, Two Pitchers Brewing Co., Oakland

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