Wife and I are flying into the area Memorial Day weekend for Bottle Rock. Looks like quite a few local craft brewers will be there - including Hop Valley, St. Archer, Fort Point Beer Co, Berryessa, Altamont Beer Works, Fieldwork and Seismic among others. Was curious if the locals could comment on the brewers that are going to be there and if there are any must haves and/or any cools spots in the Napa area I should seek outside of the festival (including wineries). If anyone has any general Bottle Rock advice I would certainly welcome that as well!
I went with the wife to this last year. Since the wristband gave us in/out privileges, the best thing we did was pop out and walk the half a mile to the Oxbow Public Market where you can drink Fieldwork for a fraction of the festival price with a better selection than what was in the venue.
Of the brewers announced so far, Fieldwork is clearly the best. I don't see Altamont on their list but that would a #2. 21st Amendment, Knee Deep, Lagunitas, Stone and Fort Point aren't bad either. I think Lagunitas usually brews a special beer for the event. And I'd have New Belgium if they brought a sour. But most of the list are a bunch of has-been brewers who got gobbled up by big acquisitions.
