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Bear Republic Brewing Co.
345 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, California, 95448
United States
// CLOSED //
Brewpub closed in November 2019. Production brewery in Cloverdale and brewpub in Rohnert Park remain open.
BEER STATS
Linked Beer Listing
- Average:
- 4.15
- Beers:
- 100
- Ratings:
- 27,295
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by rxdrewthejew:
Reviewed by rxdrewthejew from California
4.3/5 rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
4.3/5 rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Stopped right around opening on Saturday. Bear Republic is pretty accessible from the bay area. It took a little over an hour to get up here from south Oakland.
As it was early, the place wasn't that crowded, so hard to get a good feel for the atmosphere. Lots of tables and outside seating as well, but we ended up at the bar. Decent sized bar with about 15 taps or so-all Bear Republic stuff. The bartender was great. Said he had been working there for over 10 years, and clearly knew his stuff. I don't know if he was also one of the brewers, but he was on top of things, and very friendly to boot.
Got a sampler because there was just too much to choose from, and too many beers I hadn't heard of to really make a good decision. I wasn't sure what to expect from this place, to be honest, from a selection standpoint. I figured you'd get the common stuff (Racer 5, Red Rocket, etc...), and they did have that, but there were plenty of brews that I hadn't seen before and that probably were never bottled. The sampler was all 16 beers, which probably ends up being about 3 pints worth. The beer was all fantastic. The few that stick out to me were Crazy Ivan (combines worts from Racer 5 and Red Rocket, brewed with Belgian yeast and spices), Rebellion IPA (100% simcoe hops), Pete's Brown, and the topper was Racer X with simcoe added.
The food was fantastic. I got a burger (medium rare! hell yeah) and my buddy got the prime rib, which he felt was very good.
Prices were find I guess. The sampler was 19 bucks, but for the amount of beer you get, that's not bad. Food was reasonable...the burger was 10 bucks and came with fries. I dunno how much pints were but I'm guessing 5-6 bucks.
I think this is a must do if you're planning on going to some of the Sonoma breweries. It's worth the extra 20 minutes if you're going to Russian River. Very impressed...just wish we could get more of their stuff down here in LA.
Jun 17, 2008As it was early, the place wasn't that crowded, so hard to get a good feel for the atmosphere. Lots of tables and outside seating as well, but we ended up at the bar. Decent sized bar with about 15 taps or so-all Bear Republic stuff. The bartender was great. Said he had been working there for over 10 years, and clearly knew his stuff. I don't know if he was also one of the brewers, but he was on top of things, and very friendly to boot.
Got a sampler because there was just too much to choose from, and too many beers I hadn't heard of to really make a good decision. I wasn't sure what to expect from this place, to be honest, from a selection standpoint. I figured you'd get the common stuff (Racer 5, Red Rocket, etc...), and they did have that, but there were plenty of brews that I hadn't seen before and that probably were never bottled. The sampler was all 16 beers, which probably ends up being about 3 pints worth. The beer was all fantastic. The few that stick out to me were Crazy Ivan (combines worts from Racer 5 and Red Rocket, brewed with Belgian yeast and spices), Rebellion IPA (100% simcoe hops), Pete's Brown, and the topper was Racer X with simcoe added.
The food was fantastic. I got a burger (medium rare! hell yeah) and my buddy got the prime rib, which he felt was very good.
Prices were find I guess. The sampler was 19 bucks, but for the amount of beer you get, that's not bad. Food was reasonable...the burger was 10 bucks and came with fries. I dunno how much pints were but I'm guessing 5-6 bucks.
I think this is a must do if you're planning on going to some of the Sonoma breweries. It's worth the extra 20 minutes if you're going to Russian River. Very impressed...just wish we could get more of their stuff down here in LA.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by HipCzech from California
4.05/5 rDev -2.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4
4.05/5 rDev -2.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Visited 3-July-19 and enjoyed a Racer 5 after a day of wine tastings. Quiet late afternoon crowd except for bar seating full of locals. Good offering of core brews and a few specials. Friendly efficient service. Mecom car auction on the TVs complemented the racer theme.
Jul 04, 2019Reviewed by sweetbrew82 from California
4.05/5 rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
4.05/5 rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Excited I got to finally try Double Rocket and Racer 15, which were both damn tasty! And their new sour...though it was definitely underwhelming. Ordered the pastrami sandwich with fries which were mediocre at best but the Mac n Cheese with bacon for an appetizer was fantastic! Left with a growler of Barrel Aged Old Baba Yaga which was delicious. If you're stupid like me and visit the area during the Pliny the Younger release and don't feel like waiting hours in line for a beer then hit this spot right up the road. I'll def be back
Feb 11, 2019Reviewed by WiCowboy79 from Wisconsin
3.91/5 rDev -5.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
3.91/5 rDev -5.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
The brewery was a little tricky to find, but a welcomed site once inside. My party sat and ate lunch first and then bellied up to the bar. The wait staff was a little sub-par as was the food service, but the bartender was awesome! Sampled four of their beers and enjoyed everyone.
May 11, 2018Rated by JimiTheBastard from Nevada
2.75/5 rDev -33.7%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 2.5
2.75/5 rDev -33.7%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 2.5
Was drug there by a friend who loves this place... but I had a very average experience
Jan 19, 2018Reviewed by KKeeler from California
4.48/5 rDev +8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 5
4.48/5 rDev +8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 5
The Bear Republic in Healdsburg (haven't been to the new Rohnert Park location) has a great atmosphere, service, and food. The burgers are top notch, there's a huge selection of beer and local wines; there's something for everyone in here. It's a perfect locals pub, and great to eat at if your in town wine tasting.
Jan 05, 2018Reviewed by Bum4ever from California
4/5 rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.5
4/5 rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.5
Excellent low key vibe. If you like IPA's this place is awesome, but other selection are limited. Service was fine for a busy Saturday. Decent selection of their beers. The main thing about this place is that it is basically a restaurant setting and less like hanging out at a brewery. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just a little different from other places in the area. This does mean that the food is excellent, I had the Saturday special, Salmon Avocado Sand-which and it was killer. I would say if you are near by it is definitely worth a stop for lunch and an IPA or 2.
Apr 21, 2017Reviewed by socon67 from New York
4.01/5 rDev -3.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.75
4.01/5 rDev -3.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.75
Checked this out on the drive up to Eureka. Filled with locals catching a beer, this place is cozy but non-descript considering the brand. They do offer 8oz pours which is nice since I was driving up. Food seemed to be standard pub grub.
Oct 13, 2016Reviewed by PapaGoose03 from Michigan
4.18/5 rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
(#26 of 49) We stopped here to try their beers and to have lunch. The place is located along a busy retail street in the downtown area, and is situated off the street along a walkway that runs between two retail buildings. The large interior has good vibe, but we chose to sit on the covered rear patio that overlooks some park-like property.
We ordered the house flight and the barrel-aged flight that together consisted of 11 of the 19 beers that were on tap that day. Each of the beers was brewed very well to style, and we decided that all 4 of the barrel-aged beers deserved a B+ grade. The other 7 were given scores of either a B or a B-minus so that the overall grade was a 4.0. Some beers were were available to go in bottles, and growlers were also available.
The food here is excellent too. The outdoor setting along with the great beer and food made for a great visit. We'd definitely revisit this pub if ever in the area again.
Sep 17, 2016We ordered the house flight and the barrel-aged flight that together consisted of 11 of the 19 beers that were on tap that day. Each of the beers was brewed very well to style, and we decided that all 4 of the barrel-aged beers deserved a B+ grade. The other 7 were given scores of either a B or a B-minus so that the overall grade was a 4.0. Some beers were were available to go in bottles, and growlers were also available.
The food here is excellent too. The outdoor setting along with the great beer and food made for a great visit. We'd definitely revisit this pub if ever in the area again.
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
3.99/5 rDev -3.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4
3.99/5 rDev -3.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4
Interesting to visit here, knowing that Healdsburg is in one of the great wine valleys of the world... where tourists typically sample wines in cool cellars and then go to their cars and get hammered by the mid-day sun.
Not so for me on this dreary February day. Yet Bear Republic helps give this main street of this very small city (11,000) some life. These home brewers opened shop in the 1990s and have made a nice go of it... doing the cool things brewers can do and bringing life to that corner of a three block main street.
I did not eat there however because their beers are too hoppy for food for me. But, I did have a nice flight of samplings on tap.
Mar 26, 2016Not so for me on this dreary February day. Yet Bear Republic helps give this main street of this very small city (11,000) some life. These home brewers opened shop in the 1990s and have made a nice go of it... doing the cool things brewers can do and bringing life to that corner of a three block main street.
I did not eat there however because their beers are too hoppy for food for me. But, I did have a nice flight of samplings on tap.
Reviewed by UCLABrewN84 from California
3.97/5 rDev -4.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
3.97/5 rDev -4.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
I recently stopped in here on a trip to Northern California. The inside hosts a brewery, bar, and restaurant with lots of racing themed decorations on the walls. It was quite busy when I stopped in and I had a hard time ordering beers from the bar with all of the people waiting at the bar top along with the restaurant orders they were pouring too. They had around 25 beers on tap, including their year round stuff, specialties, and some barrel aged offerings too. The quality of everything was good.
Feb 17, 2016Reviewed by HopfenUndMalz2015 from California
4.82/5 rDev +16.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5
4.82/5 rDev +16.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5
Visited the Bear Republic with some friends. Amazed at how much was on tap. Always loved their beers but, had no idea how much is available at the brewpub. It was very busy and packed on a Saturday night. The waitress was very friendly, and service was quick and professional. We didn't have food, but, the overall atmosphere was fun, and laid back, with some great music!!
Almost everyone I know likes Racer 5, but, I would highly recommend going if you want to see what else they have available.
Feb 14, 2016Almost everyone I know likes Racer 5, but, I would highly recommend going if you want to see what else they have available.
Reviewed by dsshuck from Delaware
3.73/5 rDev -10.1%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
3.73/5 rDev -10.1%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
A good size bar with over a dozen different beers. Food was good pub food but nothing outstanding. Service was good as the place was busy for Thursday night. Beer selection is the reason to go here. Beside the usual great IPAs that they do there are other varieties like sours and bourbon barrel varieties that don't make it out East.
Feb 07, 2016
Bear Republic Brewing Co. in Healdsburg, CA
Brewery rating:
4.15 out of
5 with
27295 ratings
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