SF to SoCal Road Trip

Libertine in Morrow Bay.

Traffic can be a bear in the SF bay area, so if you only have one day I'd pass on RR. You can probably get your fill of RR at Toronado. They are cash only BTW.

Have fun!

 

If you're driving down highway 1 just be mindful of the Soberanes Fire just south of Monterey.

http://www.fire.ca.gov/general/firemaps

I don't think they've closed highway 1 but just thought it was worth a mention since that fire is barely contained...

http://calfireinformation.weebly.com/soberanes-fire-updates.html

 

Pretty sure Rare Barrel is closed M-W. If you do make it to the east bay, Trappist Provisions is worth stopping by. Toronado will have great beers on from Cellarmaker, Fieldwork, Rare Barrel, etc.

 

yep RB is closed M-W.

SARA is closed Mondays as well so OP should be fine there as long as he arrives after 3.

 

I'd choose Barrelworks over the other FW locations, though I haven't been to Venice yet. The board is always outstanding, and will have the widest variety of beers that you're unlikely to see in Virginia.

 

Trappist Provisions is switching to a Mikkeller location. http://www.eastbayexpress.com/WhatT...in-rockridge-soon-to-become-mikkeller-oakland

 

Two things:

1. As I mentioned in the Cellarmaker thread, you really shouldn't skip RR if time allows you to make it up there. Doing the full tasting board (with sours), eating some Pliny bites, and having a fresh pint of Pliny + Pig from the source (plus bottles) is something every BA should do a least once. And far better (IMHO) than scoring Cellarmaker bottles. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big CM fan, but the RR experience is awesome.

2. As for your other questions (FW+stops between Monterey (one "r") and L.A.), I hate to be that guy, but they are covered extensively, even recently, in other Pacific forum threads.

J.

 

Yes. Hit up RR is a must for all BA's. But if your going to the Dank release then I would hit up RR after Cellarmaker if you have time to spend in Santa Rosa area. Tough call.

 

Another quick thing . . . I'm actually flying in to SF on 8/3 and arranging an IP for Cellarmaker bottles. If you're bringing beers with you, that's another way to make sure you get them.

 

Ya'll seem to have a lot of extra "r"s in your pockets.

So, Barrelworks Barrelworks BARRELWORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No question, there, just make sure they are open when you are passing through. BW has different hours than the standard FW restaurant. Be prepared to spend some time there. Helpful hint... They refill the fridge throughout the day. Dude walks out with a case of this and a case of that and puts them in the fridge. Be kind, share the love, regardless of bottle limits (which are usually one or two).

I'll have to give you a fat NO on visiting RR. Look, you have 24 hours in one of the greatest cities in the USA that has shitloads of amazing beer in the immediate area. Plus you're going to Cellarmaker release? That's a lot of time on the road when you could be drinking fine, fine beer. And traffic from SF to RR sucks a lot of the time. Go to Toronado, they probably have Pliny and Damnation and Blind Pig AND something else on tap.

Also, as a side note, consider that you want to do things on this trip besides drive, sleep and drink beer. I know that sounds fucking CRAZY, but (believe it or not!!) there are (a) breweries just as fine and dandy as RR and (b) things to do in California besides go to breweries!

When you are in Santa Cruz area, also hit up Discretion (YES) and maybe even New Bohemia. And if driving down Highway 1 from SF to Santa Cruz, hit Half Moon Bay brewing but, depending on traffic, you may want to take a more direct route.

 

http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Big-Sur-open-for-business-as-fire-burns-but-8534199.php

 

I haven't to New Bohemia, but you're the first person I've ever seen recommend Discretion and Half Moon Bay. I place those both solidly in the meh at best category, especially considering the other options that have come up in the bay. I get it if you already live on the coast on don't want to drive over the hill, but that's about the only reason I can think of to go to either of those spots.

 

Would love to read the list of breweries as fine and dandy as RR....

The thing about Santa Rosa is its actually a beautiful place with a lot of great things to do and also a cluster of fantastic breweries. You don't have to come up just for RR. Henhouse, Cooperage, Local Barrel, Beercraft, Moonlight (or flavor bistro if coming on a weekday and want fresh moonlight), Bottlebarn, wineries, hiking, etc etc. All reasonable walking distance or short lyft rides. As long as you don't go between the two during commute time it shouldn't take you more than an hour to get from SF to SR. If it was me, id do a morning in SF and an evening in Santa Rosa. There is some stuff that is annoying about RR but its still a world class spot and on a monday night you are going to be able to waltz right in and drink with the locals.

Agree on Barrelworks all the way though....

 

South of Monterey, I would recommend Libertine, Casa Agria and Ladyface.

 

That ends to happen to places that don't make quadruple imperial India small batch bourbon barrel-aged wild fermented goses brewed with ocean water recovered by squeezing a sea anemone.

 

Ya, that's why....

Discretion currently has on a Hibiscus Wit and has bottles of a barrel aged wild ale. Half Moon Brewery has a saison made with "a Peruvian herb called Cat’s Claw, combined with honey, ginger and Hibiscus flowers" and a barrel aged sour w/fruits and spices as well. They're largely ignored because their beers are mediocre, not because they're sticking to more classic styles that beer geeks don't favor.

 

Also worth a stop in LA, Monkish and Highland Park Brewery.
Along PCH, McWay Falls, El Matador Beach, and Gaviota State Park are cool