Should I visit SARA or Firestone?

Easy solution here. Drive down to Barrelworks (yes I know it's further), stay the night in the Santa Ynez valley (tons of great restaurants and hotels), get up early and drive back in time for opening at SARA, share some bottles you just picked up and have a blast, eat some grub at Aptos St BBQ while enjoying a few more beers, then make wife drive home while you are passed out.

 

But, if you really can't make it to Barrelworks, Drgonzo is right. I'm a homer for both FW and SARA, but if it's just one and no special event in Paso, SARA is always the right call. Bring something good to share and you will have a great time.

 

"Otherworldly" is obviously a matter of personal opinion, but I'm happy as hell drinking from the taps at SARA. I guess I just feel like "good" is a bit of an understatement about the quality of the draft list! Obviously when I visit & there are bottles it's a major bonus, their bottles are incredible. Just my 2 cents. Anyway, this is another vote for SARA, one of my very favorite places to have a beer.

 

One of my favorite places to have beer and be around beer people, SARA.
I vote SARA and actually might be able to meet you at the brewery and share some beers with you depending on when you wanna go! Cheers

 

If you want to meet really great people and drink new beer that you have never had go to SARA. Plus, they have bottle shares and you may get lucky with a bottle release. I have met some great people at SARA, and I don't need a bottle release to make a trip down there. It is really is an open arms community in Capitola. If your objective is to have a quiet weekend with your wife, go to a bigger brewery and leave with a case of bottles, then go to Firestone.

 

The Paso FW location is not a destination. Barrelworks and Sante Adairius (I'm one of the curmudgeons that hates the "SARA" moniker) are, even though I agree with some who say that you won't necessarily be blown away by some of the tap offerings at Sante.

 

if she really loved you she'd make it a 2-day trip to visit all of the above. that's what you need to tell her anyway

 

Sante, if only for the awesomeness of the community. You can't go there and not have a good time.

 

If it's a Saturday release, generally pretty crazy. Though that will die down once they sell out.

 

As long as they don't announce it ahead of time (Lady in Grey recently) or leftover West Ashley for next day it will be manageable. Of course, in that case you yourself won't know until an hour before whether there is a bottle release.

 

Good choices for the trip OP.
Did want to point out also that this Saturday 11/15 is a special event at Barrelworks and unless you already have a ticket (they sold out really quick btw), you won't be able to get in because it will be closed to the public that day for the release of SLOambic and El Gordo. Going to be a great day! (yes, I'll be there)
That also means I cannot and will not be at Sante on Saturday, but next time you make it out this way to the 831, please let me know! I'd love to meet you there and pop some bottles with you. I would have brought some Sante bottles to share with you from their previous releases since you haven't been there before.
Anyways, have a very fun, safe and Happy Birthday buddy! Drive safely, cheers

 

It's their anniversary party.

 

That's a bummer man. You could still do Rare Barrel, Faction. Hit up bottle shops like Beer Revolution, The Good Hop Bottle Shop. All East Bay & still be on time for that steak dinner.

 

I can't read good.

 

How can you tell if they have bottles for sale?

 

SARA? Check FB or Instagram.

 

Sorry I was talking about Rare Barrel. My fault.