Ukiah Brewing Co.

Brewery, Eatery

102 S. State St.
Ukiah, California, 95482
United States

(707) 468-5898 | map
ukiahbrewingco.com
BEER STATS
Average:
3.59
Beers:
15
Ratings:
43
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.55
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
20
pDev:
18.31%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ElGordo:
Photo of ElGordo
Reviewed by ElGordo from Oregon

2.88/5  rDev -18.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 1.5 | food: 4.5
In the area for a wedding, my wife and I headed back up the road to Ukiah for lunch, excited about the organic food menu and the good reviews of most of their beers. We arrived to the nice, cool space in downtown Ukiah and were promptly seated. Unfortunately, none - NONE! - of the house beers were available as they had all been carted off to the Sol Fest down the road. The only beers that were available were the porter and pale ale from Butte Creek. I bit and ordered a bottle of the pale, which was fine, but beside the point because it's not a house ale.
The food was fantastic. Both vegetarians, my wife had the house-made veggie burger and I had the BBQ tofu sandwich, along with some fries and onion strings. Everything was great and made with fresh, all-organic ingredients. A bit on the pricey side for a couple of lunchtime sandwiches, but still very good and worth the price.
Our server was a bit distracted, mainly because the room was getting crowded and they were short-staffed. A surprise came with the bill - that damn bottle of pale ale cost $4.75. A strange experience at this pub - I can't offer any comment on their beers, but their food is quite good. Hopefully others will have better luck beer-wise.
Aug 16, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.28 by GaryColeman from California

Jul 15, 2019
 
Rated: 2.96 by LXIXME from New Mexico

May 06, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by lupercmda from North Carolina

Nov 01, 2014
Photo of Bubbawilly88
Reviewed by Bubbawilly88 from California

2/5  rDev -43.7%
Mediocre service and mediocre food and beer. Nothing special but not the worst I've ever had. I would head south the Bear Republic or Russian River if possible.
Sep 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by leprakhan from California

Nov 20, 2013
Photo of FightingEntropy
Reviewed by FightingEntropy from Minnesota

3.45/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Pictures at http://pintsizedrevelations.blogspot.com/2013/09/ukiah-brewing-ukiah-ca.html

7/2/13

On the way to our night on the coast at Timber Cove Inn, we had limited time for a lunch stop in Ukiah. Beer travel is always about decisions. We almost drove out of the way to Lagunitas that we had done a few days earlier, but the 108 degree inland temperature dissuaded us of this option. In Ukiah, the choice is between Mendocino Brewing's Ale House and Ukiah Brewing. Medocino is more easily available, so we decided to hit the local-only beer stop that had the veggie friendly menu.

Walking in the steepled downtown building on the corner, we sat at a high top table just inside the door, relieved that the AC was working well. Garlic bites (versions of which, especially Gilroy garlic, we've been eating all week) and a full rack of all of the samples to start. Overall, the samples were fairly well brewed but only a few would inspire me to another pint. Easily the best beer of the stop was the Emancipator, a rich and flavorful doppelbock that's was a bit hot and lacks cohesion for the style; however, it was fun to drink. The most unique beer from this organic brewery was the Narrow Yarrow: yarrow flowers substituted for hops; some malt in the nose but no flowery support; floral note shows on the tongue with a sweetness; interesting but not excellent. The natural cut fries were satisfying but the tempeh burger read better on the menu than a reality, or it may have lacked in comparison to the amazing tempeh burger that we had at Stone World Bistro last year.

From the size of the speakers nearby, the place seems to be a nightly music venue, so maybe that is their role in the community. Taking a look at the About Us section of their website, UBC, as it's known locally, was the first certified organic brewery in the United States in 2000 (2nd organic restaurant). I was perfectly happy with the stop, having few delusions from reading the reviews. While not an amazing brewery that I will go out of my way for again, clearly UBC very much believes in its mission and works to fulfill it in this small California community.
Sep 17, 2013
Photo of djfuze919
Reviewed by djfuze919 from California

3.51/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.75
Stopped there for lunch during a business trip. Place was dead. Sat at the bar, the bartender gave great service . There was only three customers in the place. The food was good, a little pricey . Tried a couple of their beers. I would go back if I am ever in the area again.
Jul 12, 2013
Photo of jj311
Reviewed by jj311 from California

3.33/5  rDev -6.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 3
Visited this place a couple months ago. The atmosphere was comfortable, but not great, nothing that left an impression. The service was good but the section was limited and a bit pricey for my liking. The food wasn't sub-par, but nothing that will ensure that I will be a returning customer. The beer was nothing to brag about. There is definitely worse, but I probably won't find myself returning unless I am being treated to dinner and a beer by somebody else.
Jan 10, 2013
Photo of Bottlebomber
Reviewed by Bottlebomber from California

2.78/5  rDev -21.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 1.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3
I hate this place. Not really, but I want so badly to like it, and they just won't get with the program. I have known several people to work here along with being aquinted with a brewer so I have a pretty good inside scoop on how disorganized the place is.

When AJ was brewing the beer was excellent, despite their system being more or less a glorified homebrew setup. Since then I've seen to beer swing from acceptable to undrinkable. They will sometimes have 8 beers on tap, although I would prefer they get good at half that many and work from there. I would describe their typical beer as under attenuated and uninspired. Hops are used sparingly in the IPA making it seem bitter and listless, for example.

The food is a joke. Portions are so small, not to mention expensive, that I have left feeling literally furious, and had to "top off" elsewhere. Beer is expensive for the quality.

The only really redeeming quality of the place is the fact that it is there - it's Ukiah. Also the atmosphere is pretty well dialed in for a brewpub. It feels cozy and warm, nicely lit. And the hippy girls who work there are usually exceedingly attractive, which in my opinion can literally save a mediocre business such as Ukiah Brewing. I hope they get it together one day, because the place certainly has potential.
Sep 01, 2012
Photo of colonelforbin
Reviewed by colonelforbin from California

4.15/5  rDev +16.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 5
I really like this place. The physical location is pretty nice, an older wooden building with multiple rooms and levels. The building's definitely been there a while. The staff is very friendly and accomodating.

Had the sampler and a couple pints of my favorites. Some interesting brews in addition to the standard styles, including a gruit-like beer. Nothing outstanding but very well made, nonetheless, and I would drink a pint of any of their brews next time I visit. Their IPA was pretty tasty.

As mentioned, the atmosphere is great. The bar is very nice and there are many tables in different rooms. Very spacious and inviting. They had a nice selection of vegan food, which I definitely appreciated so I give them high marks for that, as that can be hard to come by in brewpubs, even in northern CA.

Highly recommended if you happen to be passing by on 101. I hope to get here again sometime soon. Beer is good but everything else about this place makes it worth visiting in addition to the beer.
Oct 25, 2011
Photo of Seanibus
Reviewed by Seanibus from California

3.75/5  rDev +5.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
A funky little place that nicely captures the easy-going hippie vibe that has made Northern California famous. A dark, worn and woody interior with a spacious bar and a performance space in the back. The staff is funky and friendly - tattooed and pierced, young and attractive, though not particularly polished. The menu is organic and fresh, with an unusual focus on fresh, local ingredients (there is a whole section of "raw" sandwiches and wraps that substitute lettuce leaves for bread), and lots of options for vegetarians and vegans, which is unusual for pub fare. The beer is quite good - the IPA is strong and musky without being overwhelming, the pilsner is crisp and light, and when we visited, they has an ale brewed with the medicinal herb Yarrow rather than hops (think a mild British pub beer, with the lack of hops freeing the malt to take center stage). This is a fun stop in a funny, funky, little hippie town.
Jun 04, 2011
Photo of Offa
Reviewed by Offa from California

3.95/5  rDev +11.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
This is a pretty good, slightly different brewpub in a great spot at the core of downtown Ukiah. It should get points, at least for some, for the organic emphasis.

It is in a characterful old masonry building from 1889 and the interior has the charm of the old building with brick walls, beams, an old wooden bar, etc., along with nicely updated elements that make the place interesting, charming, and unique. It also has somoe seating in a corner near the front with big windows looking out onto downtown. It's on State Street, the main street in Ukiah, across from the courthouse.

The beer quality is mixed, but good. The few we've had so far vary from being standard and rather lack in character to quite good.

Service we've experienced is friendly and efficient.

The beer selection is pretty small, only about 6 beers at any time. The beers are fairly standtad styles, with nothing revolutionary, but a greater variety than the basic norm.

Food is good overall, but e haven't had much. They have a range of vegetarian dishes which is obviously important to some, as well as some unusual things like baked kale with a dip, actrually quite good. It is a little pricey, though, especially for Ukiah, and entress can be fairly expensive.
Aug 17, 2009
Photo of ubermick
Reviewed by ubermick from California

4.28/5  rDev +20.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5
Stopped there for lunch and a couple of tastes this past week, since I needed to get the @#$@ out of the office for a while before I went crazy.

The building itself has the feel of an old saloon, and had a nice sprinkling of locals and tourists sitting around enjoying the fare. A gorgeous bar was calling my name, so I bellied up.

They didn't have a sampler platter, but the barman was rather generous and offered to let me taste whatever I wanted, so I snagged a Liberator, with tasters of Emancipator and Sunhouse Amber, and waited for my fish and chips.

The beers tasted were excellent - and I mean excellent. The Liberator catapulted into my top five beers, and the Emancipator wasn't far behind. Unfortunately, neither of these brews are available outside of the brewpub, nor can they be snagged in growlers. Damn them!

The food (what I had) was tremendous. Some of the best fish and chips I've had in the USA. I used to think it was hard to screw up fish and chips, but plenty of bars have scuppered that theory - but these guys knocked it out of the park. Chatting to a guy a few stools down, their food is widely respected, at least within Ukiah, and he recommended the burrito or burger for my next visit.

And visit again I will - the food's great, but I'm already jonesing for a Liberator!
Apr 08, 2008
Photo of rayjay
Reviewed by rayjay from Hawaii

3.85/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 5
Nice wooden building with lots of wood inside, right on the main drag in town. Kind of a laid-back hippie atmosphere. When we stopped in this time, they only had 3 beers on (IPA, APA, pils); last time they had 7 or 8 if I remember correctly. Apparently everything they serve, beer and food, is certified organic. Quality of all the beers was there, and I really enjoyed the IPA. Service was friendly and good. Food is outstanding for a brewpub- lots of variety, great salads, bbq, curry, killer desserts. Loads of vegetarian options. If your in the neighborhood, this is a great place to grab a few pints and a great, healthy meal. Cheers!
Oct 23, 2006
Photo of htomsirveaux
Reviewed by htomsirveaux from Texas

2.46/5  rDev -30.7%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 2
Stopped in here about 10 pm last Saturday night to try some new (to us) beers.

As my wife and I attempted to enter, we were met by a bouncer who said that he needed a ‘suggested’ donation of $5 for the local skatepark as an entry fee. I was against donating to this particular cause, but we wanted to try the beer so my wife gave the guy $5 so we could get in. He informed us that the fee was $5 per person. Wanting to try the beer and not wanting to make a scene we gave him another $5.

Just out of curiosity I checked the Ukiah Brewing website and saw that the cover charge for the 26th is listed as only $3. Hmmmm…

When we went inside, there was a dj playing very loud, very annoying rasta/reggae type music. There were a total of about 15 people in the bar, which seemed pretty low for a Saturday. After we sat down in a booth we noticed that a lot of people were walking away when they realized there was a cover charge.

My wife and I almost had to yell at each other across the table to have a conversation and the waiter had to repeat their beer choices for us several times before we heard them all (pilsner, 10 guilder and an amber ale). Service was initially quick but our waiter disappeared for a while without any explanation.

We tried the pilsner and 10 guilder. Both were good but not exceptional. The pils was a little heavy bodied for my liking, the 10 guilder was spicy with a hoppy finish. The pints were $3.75 ea, not bad but including the ‘cover charge’ makes it kind of pricey. We didn’t try any food as the kitchen was closed.

Overall the atmosphere detracted from the enjoyment of the beer.
Aug 31, 2006
Photo of Mark
Reviewed by Mark from California

3.45/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
On our way home from our second home in Fort Bragg the other day Sue asked if I wanted to have dinner at Bear Republic, what a gal huh?! Well I blew it and said let's try somplace we haven't been, Ukiah Brewing Co. She was all for it and we headed that way. Centrally located in the town of Ukiah the building is older and attractive. Interior is attractive and inviting. The brewhouse is off to the left and can be seen easily. Service was friendly and fairly prompt. A cask ale was offered which of course I ordered. The menu which features organic food had some nice offerings but it was pretty steep. We both ended up getting a burrito, it was good sized and very good but 10 bucks? come on. Mainly I was disappointed in the beers. Both I tried had a very different and disagreeable (to me) taste to them, almost a sharp licorice like note. I wanted to love this place but we won't be going back.
May 13, 2006
Photo of Troyone
Reviewed by Troyone from California

4.03/5  rDev +13.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Located in what appeared to be a historic building this place has some Micro Brewpub character. There are a couple of dining areas and the brewing room can be seen from all of these areas.

All stainless steel tap nozzles and the kitchen was in the open in one of the dining areas. All wood antique bar and cabinet also wood tables and chairs for dining. The restroom was clean.

Service was business like and can be prompt.

A decent selection of about eight organic (I think) brews and no cask or guest beers. All seemed (if I remember correctly) to have an individual taste and possible notables were the IPA and Amber. Definite notables were the nitro Porter and Irish Stout.

The food was mostly organic and was good.

reasonable
Jun 12, 2005
Photo of GreenWBush
Reviewed by GreenWBush from Oregon

3.56/5  rDev +0.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3
Quite an interesting place in the namesake town. A small well-manicured exterior hides a pleasantly sparse bar and table area with restrained but attractive decoration.

It is also quite amazing to me that this is an all-organic brewpub. I believe all food served, as well as the beer, is completely USDA certified organic. Not a big deal to some people, a holy grail for others, this place had my attention.

The bartender was very soft-spoken and direct, but in a pleasant way. He suggested a couple of beers when we we looking for hops that we were pretty pleased with. Unfortunately I have since lost my beer reviews of this place I can only glaze over what I had. There was a very hoppy well balanced pilsner on tap, as well as a quite good porter (which I had two of and possibly my favorite) and stout. Overall I did find the beers a little on the light side, but one could expect that with the grain bills probably being 2x or 3x against non-organic similar recipes. The beer was about 3.50 a pint.

Overall I met some interesting people at the bar, and being the Indiana boy I am, thought it was rather wild that very, very young kids (the brewers') frolicking about. I think there was no smoking.

Maybe not necessarily something to seek out, but if you're nearby always a good pint. The food might be something to experience, wish I had tried it.
Sep 09, 2004
Photo of VegasBill
Reviewed by VegasBill from Nevada

4.5/5  rDev +26.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
This is a really special micro. The restaurant is a certified organic restaurant, one of only two in the U.S. the interior is unique with a bar that came from a old San Fran hotel.I should back up, even though the restaurant is organic they have everything on the menu, pasta, meatloaf,burgers,fish items, they are just healthy . The beer is very good if you like west coast brew, very hoppy, which I do, My two favorites are the Ukiah Pilsner and the Yokayo Gold, of course both with a nice hop taste. They also have a red called 10 Guilder, which is a medium ale but with a hop finish .If you are in the area this is a worth a stop.
Aug 17, 2003
Ukiah Brewing Co. in Ukiah, CA
Brewery rating: 3.59 out of 5 with 43 ratings