Santa Barbara/Pismo/Paso Robles

No mention of Libertine Brewing. I enjoyed the stop a few years back.

Any issues with their beers since then?

 

Tyler the founder and owner, and his wife, were forced out by the people they partnered with to open the SLO brewery. He and all the original brewers are long gone. Beer is crap now.

 

This is pretty much true...Tyler did open a cool beer/wine bar in Atascadero called Raconteur Room and has been collabing with some local winemakers in the area

 

That's a damn shame. I loved a couple of their beers and their place on the waterfront was a nice funky, divey place that I really enjoyed.

 

Was in Morro Bay the other day and walked into Libertine to look around. Such a sad shell of itself. Beer list was crap. Turned around and walked out.

 

That's too bad about Libertine. Will be out there in a couple weeks and was planning on stopping back in.

May be pulling an audible. Plenty of recs above.

 

Lots of folks have mentioned Hot Shots in pismo. While I do agree that their draft and bottle/can selection is pretty damn good, be warned you’ll have to breathe deep fried air the entire time and you and your clothes will smell like deep fried grease disgustingness until you change and shower. It’s almost a deal breaker for me every time. It’s disgusting! They really need to step up their ventilation game.

 

A couple of cans just now showing up here in a OC location. Following up on it, this place sounds like an interesting place. According to IG they were canned on or around July 16. Both cans are west coast. Almost a month out. Deciding if I should pick some up.

 

They will be at the Untappd Beer Festival … definitely stopping by their booth.

 

Windsor. Both spots. Picked 2cans ea physic advisor and stellar fawn.

 

Felt fit to piggyback on this thread.

Will be ditching the kids with my folks in LA and driving up to Paso Robles for 2 weekday nights with the wife for anniversary no. 8. Already looking at the menu for Firestone Walker's Paso Robles location. I really have little experience with everything between LA and SF. So, pertinent questions:

1- Should we be taking I-5 or US-101 to get up to and from Paso Robles? We're not really on a big schedule going up or down, but it does seem that the time difference (without any traffic) is only about 20 minutes more on 101. We'd probably be driving out late morning both ways to avoid rush hour as much as possible. Is the view better on US-101? Better bottleshops? I know FSW Buellton and Modern Times SB are options if we go on US-101..

2- Any non-FSW breweries in Paso Robles that merit attention? I think I have to go visit the FSW location just because it's Rome and it's what civic minded Romans like us would do (I want some fresh Union Jack, its been so long), but what other excellent beers are being brewed in that area?

3- Favorite bottleshops in Paso Robles or along I-5 and US-101?

4- On a non-beer topic, favorite vineyards and restaurants in Paso Robles/Templeton? $ isn't really a consideration since it's our anniversary weekend and we'd love to make the most of our short time in the area.

 

1 - Yup, the 101 is the way I'd go every time.

2 - You might try Silva Brewing. I haven't been able to swing by there yet, but have heard good things about them. Also, when at Firestone Walker don't forget to visit their Emporium and Visitor Center across the street.

3 - Going up the 101 I sometimes stop at Wade's Wines in Westlake Village for a few bottles. They even have a small bar inside that usually has some nice beers on tap, if you happen to be there when it's open. About 20 minutes north of there and not far off the freeway is Casa Agria Specialty Ales. Definitely worth a stop.

4 - I'm not up to speed on the wine end, but you might also consider the Santa Ynez Valley area just north of Santa Barbara, with a stop in Solvang for some killer bakery goods.

Have a great time, I'm sure you will!

 

1-Take the 101. You will hit pockets of traffic but the views can be amazing and some cool stuff along the way. Industrial Eats in Buellton is a must stop for me, can pop over to Barrel Works after or before. There does not exist in SLO is a great brewery, Wild Fields in Atascadero also really good. Ancient Owl is a beer bar right off 101 in Atascadero and has a good selection of to go beer.
2. Kilo Kilo is pretty good over by Tin City, Barrel House is in Tin City but not a fan of their beers but cool spot. Pour House has a good selection of beers and Silva in back with hit or miss beers. Tin City Cider is making some great stuff, Bristol Cider in Atascadero is making some really cool stuff. FW is a must stop, closed on Tuesday.
3-Ancient Owl. Paso doesnt have any good beer stores.
4- Wineries on 46 west: J Dusi, La Venture, Shale Oak, Linne Calodo, Epoch. If you want to head out deeper up Vineyard and Adaleida there is Torrin, Law, Calcareous, 6 mile bridge, Halter Ranch, Lone Madrone. Tin City is really cool place. Industrial setting with a bunch of wineries all within walking distance. Nelle, Dos Desparada, Field Recordings, Sans Liege, Jacob Toft. Food-Kitchenette, Los Robles cafe and Vics for breakfast. Hatch, Il Cortile, Les Petite Canilles, are pretty epic for dinner. The Range in Santa Margarita is a must, favorite restaurant up this way.
I am in Paso working harvest so feel to DM me with any questions. Cheers.

 

Take 101 if it's open. I5 sucks, even my Midwestern farm roots doesn't find that drive in the SJV interesting.

3. Another vote for Wade's Wines in Westlake Village. And depending on where in LA you're starting Valley Beverage in Sherman Oaks is my usual stop when I'm down there to visit my in-laws in Woddland Hills.

 

They will be driving up to Paso Robles from Los Angeles, so the Santa Ynez/Solvang area is right on the way. After passing through Santa Barbara instead of continuing on the 101 you take Highway 154/San Marcos Pass Rd and it takes you right to the Santa Ynez/Solvang/Buellton area. When in Buellton you can stop at Firestone Walker's Barrelworks location. Highly recommended.

And when you're done, the 101 is right there on the other side to continue your journey to Paso Robles. I've done that scenario many many times, and find it very worthwhile.