California and Colorado trips. Breweries needed

Sierra Nevada is kind of out of the way if you are going from San Francisco to San Diego. Like three hours north east out of the way.

 

A must stop is Knee Deep Brewing in Auburn. Some of the best IPA's in California, especially fresh. Cheers!

 

IN Colorado
Ska
Odells
Funkwerks
Loveland

 

The places Directory can be very helpful if you want to suppliment the list you get from your post.

 

I've heard great things about upslope in boulder you might want to look into that.
If you're willing to drive down to Denver great divide is worth the stop. They have some great beers and yeti is absolutely incredible.

 

Sante Adairius is three minutes off the coastal highway in lovely Capitola, CA. Do it.

 

Poor Oscar never gets the attention like Oskar does.

 

Another vote for Odell if you make it to Ft Collins.

In the city, Cellarmaker is a must hit. Knee Deep is a ways out of your way, unless you do go to Chico and SN.

 

Obviously subjective, but I would by no means classify knee deep under the must stop category.

 

Rare Barrel, Sante Adairius, Firestone, Barrelworks are all must stops IMO.

 

What years are you talking about here. I mean, two years out, the way this looks and a lot of things may change. A small brewery that is just starting may explode and become a must stop place.

As you are driving through Los Angeles, I would recommend you take the 405 south (not during traffic hours though) exit on Western and hit Smog City and Monkish, then get back on the 405 drive south and take a slight detour for Beachwood BBQ and Brewing in Long Beach, grab some excellent brews and BBQ, then continue south. I think as it currently stands, that would be the most bang for your buck there, and 3 good breweries. If you are staying in LA for some time there are other good places, but they are quite spread out.

 

If traveling down the 99, Tioga sequoia in Fresno is a great spot.

 

Melvin and Snake River if you roll through Jackson Hole.

Colorado:
Crooked Stave
Avery
Oskar Blues
O'Dell
Comrade
Great Divide and Breckenridge are about to open their new, bigger places soon too.

 

While in Boulder, go to Reuben's and Back Country Pizza. Those are the two best beer spots in the city (that I have been to).

 

Hit Mountain Sun in Boulder for lunch for beers and good food. One of the things I miss most not living on the Front Range of Colorado. So many good breweries, if you only look for the big boys, in CA or CO, you'll miss a lot of awesome stuff, Don't discount good beer bars and bottle shops. Colorado is seriously Beer Mecca. Ft. Collins is great, you'll drive through to get to WY. Thai me Up is in Jackson, WY, seen there name around a bit in the Mountain west beer news. Look up lists of breweries that are on the way to places you are going.

Message me if you want more info.