My sister is getting married in 2.5 weeks in Healdsburg, CA (~70 miles north of San Fransisco). I'm flying in on Weds June 10 to SFO, spending a day/night in San Fran, heading north on Thurs the 11th, then wedding Sat the 13th. I have a very tentative plan, with hitting RR in Santa Rosa as my only plan set in stone. What other recommendations do you have for as far as hitting breweries in 2ish free days before the wedding in that area? I've never checked a suitcase with beer, is this the best way to get beers home? Certainly cheaper than shipping. Or, should I do both and bring as many as I can and ship some too? What's the best and most economical way of getting as many of these brews as I can back home (home = midwest, 45 mins from Chicago - Southwest flies direct from MDW to SFO, so no check-baggage fees)?
Well Bear Republic is obviously there in Healdsburg, but they have not quite been the same since the price increase. Although if still available on tap the Tartare and Tartare Rouge are excellent. Beercraft (not a brewery) is a great little tap/bottle shop. JT and Matt usually get some pretty good stuff. Honestly if available I would try something like Rare Barrel or Sante. Granted those are basically the opposite direction of Healdsburg, but if time permits that is what I would do. Next choices would be Cellermaker in SF, or Heretic in Fairfield. I took 38.5 lbs. back with me from Chicago Midway to Oakland in February on Southwest. Just pack the check bag nice and good and put a lock on it just to be safe. All should be good. Jason
Thanks Jason. I'd actually rather go to a bottle shop and load up, so good recommendation on Beercraft. I'll bring lots of tshirts for packing back home. Good recs all around, I'll be on other peoples schedule as well which sucks, but I am sure I'll be fine.
If you are staying in SF hit up City Beer Store which is around the corner from Cellarmaker. It usually has a pretty solid taplist and a good bottle selection. Outside of that, the list of breweries/shops mentioned above is solid. If you are flying southwest bring a shipper with you since you get the 2 free checked bags + a carry-on you can fill the shipper with bottles, then your suitcase, and stuff clothes in a carry-on.
Laugunitas is an easy drive from Healdsburg. There are a bunch of new breweries in the Petaluma area.
Thanks, guys. Yes, I am in Union Square area of San Fran on Weds and will be going to City Beer Store for sure after going to their website.
Cellarmaker is only a block away and well worth the stop. They fill growlers btw, so you could even grab a fill for the wedding day?
