Question about Santa Cruz better beer spots

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by John_M, Jan 24, 2020.

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  1. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    So I reviewed some of the prior threads regarding the Santa Cruz beer scene, and it sounded like the best places to hit in the area are the SA Portal, Beer Thirty and Aptos BBQ. I've been to Aptos BBQ before (it was quite excellent), but don't know anything about the Portal or Beer Thirty. Does the Portal serve only Santa Adairius beer (not that there's anything wrong with that), or do they have some guest taps as well? Also, I noticed that Beer Thirty takes reservations. Is it really necessary to get a reservation if I stop by, or is it perfectly fine to just drop by some afternoon for a pint?

    Any place else I should be aware of, or are those generally considered three of the better spots in the Santa Cruz area?

    My wife and I will be in Santa Cruz for a couple of days next week (Thursday and Friday), and other than an obligatory visit to Little Tampicos for margaritas and some nachos con todos, and a wine event at Soquel Vineyards on Saturday, we don't have any specific plans on those days. My wife isn't a big fan of beer, but usually she's cool about my hitting one or two beer spots on our trips back to Santa Cruz. Given those restrictions, I want to be sure to maximize my opportunities.

    Also, everything else being equal, I generally prefer to hit multi tap beer bars rather than breweries or brewpubs.

    Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide.
     
    #1 John_M, Jan 24, 2020
  2. rhertan

    rhertan Crusader (461) Jan 22, 2008 California

    I went to Santa Cruz this fall and in doing some research I came across this place
    www.lupulosc.com/

    I didn't end up being able to stop by as it was just a day trip to the boardwalk but it looks like some decent options on tap and bottles/cans to go.
     
    #2 rhertan, Jan 24, 2020
  3. Frosty11161

    Frosty11161 Savant (1,076) May 2, 2016 California
    Trader

    Portal has usually 2-3 guest taps.

    I would also hit up Lupulo as well. Have a friend who worked there, decent number of the SARA staff go there after a shift. They do have a food menu but it always seems to end right when I get there. Sometimes there's a mild share going on too, but I find it's one of the few places that will be open past 9/10pm in Santa Cruz, which seems to be a sleepy town.

    -edit- looks like @rhertan beat me to the punch
     
    #3 Frosty11161, Jan 24, 2020
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  4. AptosBeerDrinker

    AptosBeerDrinker Initiate (0) Aug 9, 2011 California

    Lupulo. The Portal is great too but I'm biased. Both places offer wine on draft fwiw.
     
    #4 AptosBeerDrinker, Jan 24, 2020
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  5. lucius10

    lucius10 Pooh-Bah (2,556) Aug 1, 2017 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Whatever you do, you have to at least go by http://rusticales.com/tasting-room/ (Sante Adairius SC Portal) and https://humblesea.com/ (Humble Sea)!

    So many different, well made beer types at both locations...the Portal has food as well! These two have to be on the itinerary!!! At least for a quick visit!:grin:
     
    #5 lucius10, Jan 24, 2020
  6. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The portal also has a pretty insane guest bottle list for in house consumption. Last time I was there they had multiple offerings from 3F, cycle, jester king, Jackie o's, and others. Plus a couple guest taps
     
    #6 unlikelyspiderperson, Jan 24, 2020
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  7. walterfredo

    walterfredo Savant (1,032) Nov 22, 2011 California
    Trader

    Lupolo is your spot. I'm not a huge fan of beer thirty. If you do beer thirty, I have no idea what the reservation thing is about. You do not need one.
     
    #7 walterfredo, Jan 24, 2020
  8. Swiveln

    Swiveln Devotee (381) May 24, 2012 California
    Trader

    I agree with everything above. Lupolo is a good spot in downtown Santa Cruz. Smaller tap list but good quality. You don't need a reservation for beer thirty. Its a very cool spot though with a nice tap list and to go section.

    Sante is a no brainer for me. Only place in the area with world class beer. usually have a few guest taps and a great in house bottle list.

    Humble sea is a great location, but imo is just average beer. I go there often still, but i haven't been blown away by any of their offerings.
     
    #8 Swiveln, Jan 24, 2020
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  9. Dimidiata

    Dimidiata Pundit (846) Jul 14, 2017 California
    Trader

    If you are set on going to Beer Thirty, it's very close to the original Sante taproom in Capitola. Versus the Portal, the Capitola location tends to have rarer beers on tap, but no guest taps, and no food. They usually post the taplist on IG at opening if you want to compare offerings. Traffic on weekdays during rush hour can be rough going from the Portal towards Beer Thirty, so it might be best to stop at the Capitola Sante location instead of the Portal if you are pressed for time.
     
    #9 Dimidiata, Jan 24, 2020
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  10. Pstone530

    Pstone530 Crusader (464) Mar 15, 2018 California
    Trader

    +1 For Lupolo, nice atmosphere great tap list and fantastic bottles for in-house and Togo.
    Bonus for being open later then most places in Santa Cruz as well.

    Also both Sante locations are great!
     
    #10 Pstone530, Jan 24, 2020
  11. thuey

    thuey Pooh-Bah (1,705) Nov 13, 2015 California
    Pooh-Bah

    You don't realize this yet but having just Sante Adairius beers available is not a negative.
     
    #11 thuey, Jan 24, 2020
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  12. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for all the responses so far. Will definitely add Lupolo onto the list of must visit spots I think. I like the location, so that's a bonus as well.

    I was interested to hear thoughts about Beer Thirty. The location over in Soquel is a bit out of the way, but I figured if it was really, really good, I could possibly combine it with a trip to Aptos BBQ. Given the responses I've received in this thread, I'll likely drop it from the itinerary and add Lupolo in it's place.

    I've actually been to the Capitola SA location a number of times and really don't feel like I need to drive out there again. I'm interested in visiting their new spot on Water St. (the portal), and plan to almost certainly stop by on Thursday.

    Again, thanks for all the responses and recommendations.
     
    #12 John_M, Jan 24, 2020
  13. ksheabutter

    ksheabutter Aspirant (222) Aug 15, 2019 California
    Trader

    the only thing I'll count against SARA is that the vibe can come off as elitist. The beer is fantastic though, so I don't mind going.
     
    #13 ksheabutter, Jan 24, 2020
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  14. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you were rolling with 'the boyz' instead of the 'better half' I'd still consider Beer Thirty. Good-great packaged to-go options if needed. Enjoy ur trip!
     
    #14 jakecattleco, Jan 25, 2020
  15. MontereyBayBeer

    MontereyBayBeer Aspirant (200) Mar 18, 2015 California
    Trader

    Corralitos brewing is a gem if you can make it out that far.
     
    #15 MontereyBayBeer, Jan 25, 2020
  16. M-14

    M-14 Zealot (657) Feb 5, 2014 California

    There is also Mission St. BBQ in Santa Cruz, no reason to go all the way to Aptos. Same outfit, 27 taps.
     
    #16 M-14, Jan 25, 2020
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  17. mayorQuimby

    mayorQuimby Zealot (633) Jun 5, 2009 Tennessee
    Trader

    I haven’t been in 5 yrs (since moving away from SJ), but Beer Thirty was bomb then. Typically an excellent draft selection, solid outdoor area to hang, and they typically had 1-2 stouts on nitro that they’d do a 50/50 blend of them with cold brew coffee that was unreal. Wife and I pretty much stopped going to Sante in favor of it. From an ambiance perspective there was no comparison.
     
    #17 mayorQuimby, Jan 25, 2020
  18. bret27

    bret27 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,064) Mar 10, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    One I like is called “Parish Publick House”. There are aptos and Santa Cruz locations. The aptos one is a stones throw from aptos bbq. Relaxed pub atmosphere.
    the one advantage is they update their tap lists daily on taphunter.com so you can check ahead.
     
    #18 bret27, Jan 25, 2020
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  19. Swiveln

    Swiveln Devotee (381) May 24, 2012 California
    Trader




    For my wife and I, beer thirty is a go to when we are down there. Its a great location to hang out and have a beer. Great to go cooler and a nice cellar. Lots of taps. Also, they have corn hole, ping pong and such for a fun time.
     
    #19 Swiveln, Jan 27, 2020
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  20. Swiveln

    Swiveln Devotee (381) May 24, 2012 California
    Trader

    Also, its not that far from Santa cruz, and only an exit away from Sante.
     
    #20 Swiveln, Jan 27, 2020
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