From NC, visiting CA

I wouldn't consider it a short drive. Assuming traffic is good, it's at least 1:30 between Sac and SR. Skip Anderson Valley as it is out of the way. I would do Bear Republic and Baeltane in Novato. Moylans is also in Novato.

 

The drive to Anderson Valley is incredibly beautiful, one of my favorites in the state actually, but definitely out of the way. For convenience sake, you're better off doing Bear Republic in addition to RR. Maybe hit Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa for bottles if you're looking to take something home.

 

Check out Flavor Bistro in SR. Moonlight beers on tap. Only way you can get them.

 

Not the only way, but the only place that has pretty much all of them all the time.

 

yes, I could have been clearer. It's on tap around the Bay Area, but Flavor is akin to being their tap house. Never hurts to help a BA clarify!

 

Plenty of great spots in and around Sacramento, too. You don't need to spend the whole day on the road to find great beer. How long are you here?

 

Start with this map to get an idea of where things are: http://www.hopstotable.com/sacbeermap/

Since you are from out of state, I recommend hitting a variety of alehouses over local breweries as you'll get more bang for your buck for both local beer and other stuff from across California. Spots with the largest local selections are (in Sac)The Shack, Capitol Beer, Hot City Pizza (these three are all in East Sac), Flaming Grill and Dad's Kitchen. Pangaea is also in Sac, but they don't have a lot of local stuff, although they have a fantastic selection of international craft beer including a lambic bar in the back.

In the burbs, I recommend Samuel Horne's Tavern (Folsom) and Boneshakers and Final Gravity (Roseville).

The largest local bottle shops are Pangaea, Capitol Beer and Final Gravity as well as the superstores (BevMo and Total Wine). Nugget Market also has a top flight selection.

It is important to remember that you can't swing a dead cat in Sacramento without finding a place with some decent amount of craft taps, these are just the cream of the crop for local beer.

If you have time, there are plenty of local breweries too.

 

In addition to what Dan said,

Auburn Ale House, Track 7, Loomis Basin, Berryessa, Knee Deep and American River are all making exceptional brews. Newcomers that I haven't tried include, Mraz, and Big Sexy. Opening soon are Out Of Bounds and Bikedog Brew.

 

Lots of great suggestions in this list. Let me mention two that haven't been said...

Davis Beer Shoppe is a no-brainer. Davis is about 15 miles away, a straight shot on I-5, only takes about 20 minutes if you don't go during rush hour. It's a small bottle shop/tasting room with excellent prices and well-chosen taps.

And let me put in a word for Sierra Nevada. You can get to Chico from Sac in a little less than two hours, and it's not a bad drive--fairly pleasant, even, if you go the Highway 70 route. SN has probably the most interesting tour of any brewery I've been to (and I've been to a few!), and their restaurant is also a cut above. They always have a number of beers on tap that you can't get in bottles, and sometimes local releases that you can't buy outside of the immediate area. If I was only going to be in the Sac area once, I would do RR/Lagunitas, but if you're going to be there a few times, definitely consider SN.

 

I concur, the Davis Beer Shoppe is the bees mother f'n knees!

 

I'd say hit up Sierra Nevada also. Then stop at Berryessa and Davis Beer Shoppe on the way back to Sacramento. Also hit Rubicon, Track 7, and New Helvetia while in Sacramento. If you still want to head toward the Bay for RR, skip Anderson Valley and hit Moylans for fresh Hopsickle and Bear Republic. Knee Deep does growler fills in Lincoln on Fridays.

 

Whoops, should have said "straight shot on I-80..."

Don't want to confuse the guy!

 

Sudwerks is in Davis I believe. Though Ive never had their beer. Also, Lagunitas in Petaluma is just south of Santa Rosa.