Top California Beers

That list has a bunch of great beers, but I do think a ton of great beers are left off and the order is especially outdated. Many smaller and newer breweries simply don't have enough votes to be ranked high enough. For instance, West Ashley is ranked below Sculpin. I'd think probably less than 5% of people would actually think Sculpin is a better beer, West Ashley just doesn't have enough votes.

Aside from SARA, a ton of Socal breweries are absolutely killing it right now, but you won't find them rated too highly in this list. Modern Times, Beachwood, Highland Park, Societe, Casa Agria, just to name a few. Also, if you make it to the Bay check out Cellarmaker, Fieldwork, and Rare Barrel. Their AVERAGE beer is practically just as good as some of the beers on that list.

 

Toolbox is promising

 

I'm assuming you're visiting CA? It's a rather large state... You're better off stating where you'll be and asking for advice for that specific area.

 

Just a quick tip. Of the top 25 on that list I count about 15 that would be extremely difficult/ impossible to find or try for a visitor. Try not to get your hopes up for many of these and stick to brews lower on that list.

 

So are you visiting the entire state? We can give you recommendations, but need to know where you'll be... Based on the locations, seems like LA to SF and then back down to OC?

 

If you're already going to RR, I'd scratch Toronado off your list. I don't think it's that great of a bar (attitude and selection), and really its one strong point is that they reliably have PtE on tap, but you've got that taken care of anyway.

Since you're going to Rare Barrel in Berkeley, I'd suggest hitting up Beer Revolution in Oakland if you're looking for a beer bar with tons of rotating / specialized taps.

 

FTFY

 

Add Cooperage, Henhouse and Moonlight to your time in Santa Rosa. Woodfour in Sebastopol is a great brewery and restaurant....

 

If you're in Pismo, how come no Firestone Walker? They make really good regular beers, but their barrel aging program is outstanding.

 

Beachwood is absolutely a must stop. And if you are not aware of this, in addition to their amazing beers on tap, they have a revolving list of guest taps that rarely disappoint.

 

Aww. Although I like their Paso campus, i get why BAers recommend only a Buellton visit. When we went to the Paso tasting room, they only had a single specialty beer on their board (Velvet Merkin). I tend to feel like their BBA beers taste a bit better on tap. But if they are serving Parabola now, you'll be in for a treat.

 

When I was there on the 2nd, they were serving '15 and '16 Parabola, Parabajava, and Bretta Rose. That was just in the Visitor's center!

 

While in Pismo definitely check out Hot Shots(Pool hall with very good tap list) and Boardroom