Russian River Brewpub Expectations

I would bet you won't have to wait for a seat at the bar on a random Tuesday in November but it definitely depends on what time you get there.

 

I was there last week on a Wednesday ... arrived at about 2:00pm ... the bar was 80% full but still plenty of seating for a single ... tables were wide open ... you should have no problem ... if interested, get the tasting flight - $15 for tasters of everything they have on tap which is usually about 16 beers ... bring quarters for the parking meters

 

yeah, flying solo means you get to jump at the bar with little to no hassle.

 

Been a few times as a Midwest tourist, here's your checklist and don't screw it up man, lot riding on it if you wanna have a good time:

1. Check the board and order the full flight for $15...or whatever you like, but this is the best deal in the biz
2. Order pizza bites, they're the shit
3. Get a growler of Pliny to go...best growler I've come across for the $4-5 glass cost
4. Check the merch wall for sale shirts, usually some for $10-15
5. Ask for 3L bottles for me
6. Repeat and grab a cab home
7. If you complete steps 1-6 you're tolerance is absurd and you should be given a medal and high five

One of the best pubs ever, enjoy!

 

In my experience, on a weekday you'll get right in when it opens. It gets a little packed during lunch hours then dies down around 2:30pm. If you're parking your car, the meters take credit cards. Hope you have fun.

 

Skip RR and go to Lagunitas. Best brewpub in California.

 

Ever actually have success with this?

 

Absolutely not :-). But worth a shot, when in Rome

 

I agree Lagunitas > RR in terms of brewpub experience, though RR's beer is better. Might put Sante Adairius above both for beer and experience comb. I've only been to a handful of SoCal places so far, so I can't comment on them.

OP you should check out Lagunitas while you're here if you have time. Note: it is also busy pretty much 100% of the time.

 

Do you know how big California is?

 

I actually think it's gotten a bit better over the past couple of months. With the contraction of PtE and Pig distribution, there are always bottles to go. Which means that the people aren't lining up to get bottles before opening. At one point, they'd be out of PtE bottles by 1pm. It was getting REALLY crazy.

 

Actually with that much beer better off having no quarters and no car!

 

Yeah, I think Russian River's food is really mediocre and the place is always pretty much insanely busy. Last time I went on a Tuesday at 3:30 in January and the place was packed with a wait. I love the tasting flight at RR, it is awesome, but I honestly find myself going to Flavor more often when I am in Santa Rosa, because I can't get anything from Moonlight and pretty much everything at RR is available year round these days with a little bit of work. This is also me being spoiled by California's accessibility of RR. I also think Lagunitas is easily the coolest spot I have been to in California. Food is fantastic, one of the best tours I have ever been on and I've been to probably over 150 US breweries not to mention European breweries. Every time I sit at the bar I always have a nice conversation and unlike at RR it isn't always beer centric.

I completely agree that RR as a straight comparison does better beer, but Lagunitas always has some interesting brewery only options that make it worth the trip. Plus that clubhouse is just the coolest place ever.

 

I don't know what it was like in the past (first visit) however my wife and I were there last Friday night and Saturday night. Friday night we had about a 15 minute wait for a table, the bar was packed though I was able to grab a beer. Saturday night there was about 20 people waiting outside for a table. The bar was packed however wife and I stood there enjoying a beer and within a few minutes a couple stools opened up. Regarding beer to go, Friday and Saturday night they were selling 12 packs of both BP and PtE though they clearly had a 4 bottle limit posted on the chalkboard. I am not sure if this exception was being made because the BO dates were 09/09/2014 and 09/24/2014 was being distributed?

 

Sorry for the double post however the edit on the above post times out. At any rate, I thought I would add that we went to Lagunitas at opening 11:30 AM on Sunday. That place was great but an absolute zoo. Certainly more room to spread out there however it was jammed with people right at opening!

 

Yeah I hear you. Lagunitas is great, but to call it the best brewpub in CA is a stretch. I prefer FW in Buellton, Alpine Beer Company in Alpine, and all of the Pizza Ports to Lagunitas. I think Bear Republic might even be better. But, as I say, that's all just my opinion.

 

Great reply!

 

I forget their limits and prices for their sours at the brew pub. If I want a case of this and a case of that am I better off getting them from the brewery or are they cheaper at local bottle shops?