NorCal trip advice

Wondrous Brewing just opened in Emeryville, worth checking out

 

Wondrous is blowing up around here on the social media.

They’re either
1. Really good.
2. Really well connected/ friends with everyone in the Bay Area.

 

Fair, anything with a connection to SARA is worth some attention. I haven't been yet but certainly looking forward to once I'm back in the Bay.

 

I've only.been to Dunsmuir once and it was very solidly mediocre. I would say they are typified by their.burger, fancy local beef from some super heady ranch served on a cheap ass bun with watery iceberg. The beer wasn't bad but also wasn't anything I'd go out of my way for.

 

Dunsmuir Brewer has awful beer. The food, environment and guest taps are solid. Yaks has some of the best burgers that I've ever had and a solid beer selection. Prices are high (not unreasonable) and service is terrible. Mike and Tony's in Shasta is a great spot for dinner. Coopers Bar (yes in the Best Western) is a fun place with some decent food.

If you want to hit some sweet dives and hang with the locals, Spirits in Dunsmuir and the Vet's Club in Shasta. Guaranteed a good time!

 

I've been there almost a dozen times and only had what I'd consider average sevice once. Have you had repeat experiences with poor service?

 

I have. I've been there countless times. I know what I'm saying doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but when I'm stuck in Dunsmuir without a car, for hours on end, day after day. . . You put up with things for a good beer.

Now, that being said, I haven't been there for at least 4 years, plenty of time for things to have changed.

I always liked the owners and appreciated their time when they were on hand.

 

Agreed. We were chatting with them and told them we stop there every time we climb Shasta. They were very appreciative of our patronship and gave us free Sticky buns to eat at the trailhead before our dayhike of the Clear Creek route the following day.

 

Why do business do that! Have nice quality beef and put it on a Walmart bun!! Infuriating!!

 

The brewmaster/owner - Wynn Whisenhunt - was the brewmaster for Bartlett Hall in San Francisco, and picked up some GABF awards while he was at it. He then left the head gig there for an assistant brewer position at Sante Adairius Rustic Ales, which I think is a pretty cool move. Clearly it was a step down in terms of responsibilities / freedom, but I'm assuming he did it to apprentice under a world-class brewer / barrelmaster in Tim Clifford. After SARA, he was ready to open his own place - Wondrous.

Most of all, I met him at Cellarmaker (both, as fans) and chatted it up with him there and various events in which I've bumped into him since. He's super down-to-earth, chill, and fun to kick it with.

Oh, and his mom is one of the manager/owners of EJ Phair in Concord. Needless to say, Wynn has been in the industry for a while!