NC guy visiting Bay Area, need brewery recs

As someone who lives in Napa county, I have some suggestions for you.
In SF, I recommend Cellermaker if you’re wanting to go to a brewery. The Mikkeller Bar in SF is another honorable mention. If you’re looking for a bottleshop in SF, hit up Ales unlimited.
Now, I’m Sonoma/Napa area, I have a better understanding and better suggestions.
You’ve mentioned going to Russian River, and I applaud that. You’ll have a great time. Just to let you know, the Windsor location just opened up last week if you are in that vincinity.
As far as breweries go, I think Cooperage Brewing in Santa Rosa is a cool place to stop at. Good beee selection and cool vibe. The next recommendation is Barrel Brothers in Windsor. The last brewery suggestion is Henhouse. I’ve never been, but I know their beers are gaining ground.

As far as bottoeshops/taprooms in the area, here are my favorites.

Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa has a superb selection and at a great price. Zach the beer buyer is knowledgable and can make good suggestions based upon your desire. He is big into sours and lambics, and Bottle Barn has the best lambic/Belgian selection at reasonable prices that I’ve come across. I frequent there.

Beercraft, Rohnert Park. (also has a Novato location that I’ve never been to).
They have an awesome selection of cans/bottles to go as well as a phenomenal tap list. I suggest looking at their Instagram feed to see what is on tap and what cans they have available. Call if needed. If you go and are in to NEIPAS, try offerings from Alvarado Street, Moonraker, Revision or Cellarmaker if available (moonraker and Alvarado offerings usually on tap). Beercraft in Rohnert park also gets some whale stouts on tap. Right now Paisly Cave compex by Bottle Logic is on tap and would be worth trying if still there (if you go).

Last suggestion is Rincon Valley Taproom and Bottle Shop in Santa Rosa. Great selection of cans/bottles to go as well as tap list. It has been recently renovated and has more offerings on tap as a result.

Sorry if there is spelling/grammar errors. I am on mobile. Have a great visit when you come! Cheers!

 

I know the second location just recently opened, but the original most likely would be what you should see, as it has history behind it.

Also get the wings. They do quick pan fry then bake them, so it takes ~20-30 minutes per order. Last time I was there with 3 friends, we got one of the pizzas and an order of 24 wings. Needless to say, we ended up barely having any pizza but ordered 2 additional plates of wings haha.

 

Don't forget the Pliny Bites!

 

If you are in Napa and hit up the Oxbow Market, there is a Fieldwork location there that should have plenty of hoppy beers and the ability to take crowlers to go.

 

The Santa Rosa Russian River location has more things on tap and is the original, but it may still be very hard to get into with the crowds, especially on weekends. The new Windsor location is much bigger and is very nice. Bigger and better restaurant as well. I used to like Lagunitas in Petaluma but with the new, bigger parking lot it is impossible to get into.

If you are in SF, definitely hit Cellarmaker. Black Hammer is also a great place. Mikkeller has a great selection but unfortunately it is in the Tenderloin, where SF pushes all the homeless and meth heads to. It is a pretty sketchy neighborhood. City Beer Store is great bottle shop and taproom just a few blocks from Cellarmaker. Toronado on Haight St. is the classic craft beer bar in SF.

Many other options in the East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda) as well if you are over that way. Rare Barrrel, Almanac, The Rake (Admiral Malting), Drakes, Fieldworks, etc.

 

That is just ambiance. Or local flavor.......haha....

 

Greetings. I too will be visiting the Bay Area from NC. Lots of good suggestions above. How long is the drive to Russian River from Oakland with traffic and such? Want to hit Almanac too. And per @TheBrewsky , Ales Unlimited is a good bottle shop. Do they have the best selection in the SF/Oakland area? I just want to visit one bottle shop while I'm out there if I could.

Also, any recommendations for seafood places near the wharf? Also restaurants that are kid friendly too.

Thanks and cheers!

 

hour and change from oakland to santa rosa. Assuming you aren't heading out at the end of the work day, it's something like 60 or 70 miles

 

Ales Unlimited is a good spot (closest shop to my house so I go there a lot), but if you are staying in Oakland you have to hit up:

Beer Revolution (good selection)
Good Hop (better selection)
Berkeley Bowl West (best selection)

Also, on the way up to RRBC you will pass the Beercraft locations in Novato and Rohnert Park.

 

Check out www.beerbybart.com