researching beer options for an upcoming trip to yosemite. driving in via las vegas/death valley. found thread from 2012, but looking for recent feedback. specifically, 1. any local breweries worth a stop? mammoth, prospectors? 2. best beer shop in the area? i know it's yosemite & all, but would love to enjoy some of my favorite california beers while i'm in california: rr, firestone walker, kern river. 3. what are beer options inside the park? seems like they may be decent. thanks in advance for any advice/help.
Yosemite Village General Store had a pretty decent beer selection, lots of Mammoth and 21st Amendment from what I remember. Also I was told by one of the clerks that inside the national park you can walk around with a open container. Is stopping in Bakersfield and/or Kern River a option? Lots of good bottle shops there and a good shot at some Kern River beers.
I had a chance to visit South Gate brewing company last year.... it had some pretty good reviews (at least on Yelp... I know)... and I had a hard time finishing their beer. Inside the park you will find Sierra Nevada Pale Ale & Firestone 805 Blonde. There was a fridge stocked with plenty of these at the Wawona Hotel gift shop.... but that's as far as I've been inside the park on the West side.
I was there last weekend, the store in Curry Village had Lagunitas, Rogue, tons of Mammoth Brewing beers and other shelf beers in the store. Of course it does not hurt to bring your own.
Your best bet will probably be to stock up in Las Vegas to be honest. Whole Foods near the airport or Khourey's in Henderson. Kern River will be quite a bit out of your way, but if you're not pressed for time it would be a great detour.
What route were you planning on taking out of Death Valley to Yosemite? If you were planning on hitting 395 off the 190 and enter through the backside then KRBC is out of the way. However, 178 connects to 190 and would take you right by KRBC. You then continue through to the 99 and enter Yosemite via the 41.
was considering 190/hwy 136, hwy 395/hwy 120. need to return to vegas via way of bakersfield, so thought of hitting kern on that leg.
We did this trip a month ago. But coming from the LA/OC area, we drove up 395 to 178 which took us right to KRBC. Spent the night at the Kern Lodge next to the brewery. Then drove the other part of 178 down to Bakersfield and up to Fresno area and then into Yosemite. We still had plenty of time to explore the valley and get some hiking done before checking into our next motel near Yosemite Valley. So it's doable. If your coming from LV then you'd take 15 to 58 to 395 to 178. It's already a long drive to Yosemite from LV so why not spend the night at KRBC. Worth it. After Yosemite we drove to Santa Rosa area and hung out there for 2 nights hitting up RRBC for both nights and stopped in Lagunitas and Bear Republic. Then we drove down 101 to Firestone and into Lompoc with a cooler full of Pliny, JO, Shuttle Bunny, Row 2 Hill 56 and Blind Pig. A great 1400 mile loop. So it all depends on what you want to do.
I've done the loop through Yosemite both directions. It's a fun dive in the proper vehicle. Many years Tioga pass is closed until the beginning of July but that won't be an issue this year. Also driven the back way to LV through Death Valley when going to the track in Parumph.
This was our plan C in case plan A & B didn't work out. Plan A? NYC/Brooklyn (Other Half Brewing). Plan B? Maui.
I love going to Yosemite and the craziest part, they got good beer in the park! Mammoth brewing doesn't make it to my town, and there is plenty in the park and it's fresh. They Can some of their brews too. There double nut porter doesn't get the love it deserves
