My mom's going to California

My first thought at reading the title was "So party at your place!"

On a serious note I really like Drake's Brewing from CA. I've had Aroma Coma, Denogginizer, and Hopocalypse and all were really solid

Cheers!

Edit: Also anything from Alpine! How could I forget that!

 

I would try to get one of all the RR including Consecration, Supplication, Sanctification, Temptation, Damnation, Redemption, Pliny, Blind Pig, etc. I would get some GF West Coast and Imperial and maybe some Rayon Vert. I would get BP Sculpin and any of the Alpine IPAs (Alpine doesn't distribute too far north so, you might be out of luck there). I would get anything Firestone Walker, particularly Parabola, Sucuba, Double Jack, Union Jack, or Wookey Jack. I would get a bunch of the Port IPAs if you can find them fresh like Mongo, Wipe Out, and Hop 15.

That's a start. If you are into any particular style, people will be able to give better recommendations.

 

Napa Valley to Alpine Brewing is like a 9 hour drive. If she isn't touring the whole west coast, I'd say that Alpine is out.

Lagunitas and Bear Republic is in the area, as well as a ton of smaller brew-pubs, like Lucky Hand and Downtown Joe's Restaurant. If you don't get distro from those breweries (which is kinda likely that you do), then hit them up.

[EDIT] OP may want to shift this thread to the California/West Coast forum, as there would likely be more help than from the general BA public.

 

Lost abbey, I'd even have her grab some hair of the dog

 

brewbetter has a pretty solid list. I'd add AleSmith Speedway, IPA, etc. (we just started getting AleSmith here in Washington, not sure about distro in Minnesota), The Bruery, Kern River, and if possible from Oregon Hair of the Dog (Adam, Fred) and Cascade (again, not sure about distribution of these in California). I imagine beers from most of these breweries would be available at a decent bottle shop in the Napa region.

 

Ive found some pretty good special releases from the whole foods in napa. Snagged some older firestone anniversay ales. If your looking for beer stores not too much else in napa for beers. Sf and berkely and other cities south have some great beer/liqour stores.

 

This. She'll likely be able to get a good amount of Pacific Northwest goodies like HotD, maybe some Cascade, and although the brewery is in the middle of nowhere, maybe she can find some Kern River on shelves (I have no idea how California distro works, it's kind of a North/South split thing).

[EDIT]

 

I will third HoTD. I was thinking about them after I posted. You should be able to get Adam, Fred, Doggie Claws, and maybe Blue Dot. I doubt you will find any Cascade on the shelf, but you should be able to get a nice selection of Bruery releases.

 

Read all of these posts then give her a list of everything your heart [or beer brain] desires and tell her to bring back as much as she has room for. Make sure she has your phone number for questions. Simple.

 

I'll second pretty much everything that's been said. I'll stress that you should make sure she gets you a speedway stout if you don't get that by you.

 

Is she going with an aching in her heart?

 

http://www.bottlebarn.com/
This place is miles down from Russian River and they stock some of the best local beers and at the best prices. I'd say this is a must if your Mom is only willing to make a single run.

Also to make things easier for you and your mom, just email BB and see if they have certain beers. If they have what you want you can ask them to pull everything for you and they'll do so without making you pay for it upfront.

Good Luck!

 

I will second anything from Drakes. My favorite brewery right now. Firestone Walker, Port and Lost Abbey are safe picks too. Also look for Ruth McGowan's. That's a local-ish (Cloverdale) brewery that should be getting more press. Look for the Floyd IPA.

 

You should have set a few days aside to check out the shops and breweries. And probably convinced her ahead of time. This isn't just some quick stop type thing you're thinking about doing. Oh no. This is some serious shit!

 

It was already mentioned you won't find any Alpine, but you won't find any Kern River either. And you won't find most of these items in an average liquor store either, you are going to have to direct her to a specific store somewhere. Bottle Barn was a very good suggestion.

 

I agree with previous posters. Drake's, Lagunitas, Bear Republic...

 

Tell her to pick up any Indian Wells she comes across.