NorCal trip advice

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/north-of-sonoma-2021.654044/

This is a good start

 

Depends on your time in SF, you can hit Cellarmaker, and grab a bunch of cans.

Russian River is off the 101. I hear they make IPAs.

If you are coming in to SF by way of the East Bay, you should stop at Faction Brewing, in Alameda, for an hour or 2. Great beer and the best view of any brewery in the Bay Area.

 

Lost Coast Brewery, in Eureka, Ca

 

Redwood Curtain in Arcata was the highlight for us a few years ago. They also had a seafood truck out back making some great eats.

 

Port-o-pints in crescent city, redwood curtain in arcata or eureka, eel river brewing in fortuna, CA.

Also, worthwhile bars in norcal include Bigfoot taproom in McKinley ville, dead reckoning, bittersweet, or humbrews in arcata. The chief in laytonville is also a special emerald triangle gem for lunch. Ukiah brewing is decent, hopland has some OK bars but focus more on wine.

Henhouse, fogbelt, and cooperage in Santa Rosa. And of course Russian River.

Lots of good options, if you come to some more specific itinerary coming through the crescent city - ukiah stretch I'm happy to offer specific tips for what you're into

 

If you opt for 101 I'll add another vote for Redwood Curtain.

 

Secret Trail Brewing is solid and literally right around the corner from Sierra Nevada. Gets pretty crowded but worth the stop.

 

I loved Port O'Pints when i was camping in Jedediah Smith area. Great bar and a locals type vibe. But I didn't mind Sea Quake either though the feel is more touristy

 

Port O'Pints is now on my hit list next time I'm in Crescent City.

Wondering about SeaQuake, had a really nice WCIPA from them, and a poor hazy. But that was 2 years ago. How's their stuff these days?

 

If you do port o pints they make a mean Reuben. I haven't tried seaquake stuff in a while, I had a god awful hazy IPA and a couple of cans of their citra IPA that were messed up. I just kind of stopped trying after that. My wife has stopped at their spot in crescent city and said its very pleasant with decent pizza. Port o pints is kind of a local/fisherman divey pub vibe, seaquake is supposedly much more of an airy modern brewery vibe. My wife likes the seaquake location better. I'm sure their beer is still mostly decent.

 

Yes totally my impression. Also listening and chatting with some of the blue collar types at PoP, they have quite a distinct accent. Something I hadn't experienced in my years on the West Coast

 

Interesting, I haven't noticed that but I've always stopped there when on the road with the family so we always got a table away from the bar. I love tiny regional dialects so I'll have to tell the wife I have to hit PoP by myself nextime for a little, ahem, linguistic research

 

It was strange it was a mix of Irish English and= something like the Essex accent i heard as a teen east of London. I guess its because this place is pretty remote an kept the accents of its original settlers.
I too love dialects..my own being Doric Scots..i only use it when i meet another North eastern Scot or when i am "home".

 

Piggybacking off this post a bit. I'll be living in SF with some friends next week. I'm pretty familiar with the beer scene in SF but I'm wondering if you all have recs for Oakland and the Bay Area. I've previously visited Ghost Town and thought they were solid. I have Temescal and Rare Barrel on my list to visit. Are there any other breweries you all consider must visits in the Bay? I'm looking for places who make clean lagers and west coast ipas mainly. Food recs in Oakland also appreciated.

 

Faction. Check the weather, plan to go an hour before sunset too. Best views in the area!

Bring dinner too.

 

@John_M usually really solid taps and great burgers at Yaks. Haven't been personally but have heard good things about Dunsmuir Brewery Works as well.

 

Hit me up when you get close. I’m in Santa Cruz. May be able to share with you or at least direct you toward some good stuff.
I’ve got a little insider info...