Central to Nothern CA beer exploits.
Here's a useful URL for your exploits (and others) of the beer perambulation variety:
http://www.beer100.com/brewpubs_a_to_k/california.htm
OK here goes:
Going North....
Start with the Boulder Creek Brewpub. About 20 miles nord o' Santa Cruz on 9. It's downtown on right side of the main strip about half a mile before the big left turn onto Big Basin Way. Very light on the signage. Look hard. 13040 HWY 9, Boulder Creek. You want the IPA.
That Big Basin Way is a Big Ass Redwood drive. Highly recommended.
After that go north for a couple three hours. Take 101 and try what I have not tried. The Lagunitas brew pub in Petaluma. 1280 North McDowell Blvd. I will be insanely jealous and happy for you.
Continue Norte along the 101 and you have a choice. Hop (get it! hop! I kill myself) onto the 128 or continue on the 101 to Hopland.
Hopland hosts the Mendocino Brewing Co. right off the 101 (13351 S. Hwy 101 to be precise). Tiny but crackling with good beer and a barmaid who's east coast boyfriend is a bit of a slacker. White Hawk IPA. Zounds!
Now in fact I'd consider stopping along the MBC on your return and instead hooking left up 128 some miles back on 101 at Cloverdale.
You missed Anderson Valley Brewing on your last run north. It's simple. Take 128 up the valley. As you approach Boonville you will find route 253 to Ukiah on your right. Take 253 approximately 20 truck lengths and on your left is the brewery. Well worth the visit.
Speaking of Ukiah you can stay on 253 and head there. Or you can continue up 128 to 1 and on to Fort Bragg and the North Coast Brewing Co. Very fine beers indeed. 444 North Main Street. Cask conditioned Red Seal. Oy Vay!
They also have a fine selection of hats. Black ones. With Seals on them.
If you decide instead to head to Ukiah amble along 253 NW towards the 101. Just as you're about to hit the 101 you take a left (north) onto State Street. Another mile and you pass the "airport". Another half or so and you'll find Ukiah Brewing on your left.102 South State Street. Busyish road in an unbusy town. It's on the southwest corner of a sedate intersection. Not obvious signage. Looks more like a large-windowed cafe. Avoid the rookie waitstaff. Sit... I mean stand at the bar. Good beer.
Northward ho!
Go for it! Avenue of the Giants north with a brief side drive along Mattole road and peek at the founders grove.
North again...
My favorite brewery on our entire sojourn was Eel River Brewing. 1777 Alamar Way, Fortuna, CA. Grub, Grog, Gaiety and [waitress]Gals were all excellent.
It's a ways north. About 30 minutes a top of the Avenue of the Giants. Worth the hike. They have the best URL www.climaxbeer.com
Look for the signs on 101. I believe it's called the Kenmar Road exit. Anyway take the exit and turn left at the bottom of the ramp onto 12th street. You go under the highway and then about 1000 feet on the Right is Alamar Way. It's right next to Riverwalk Drive. The brewery is a couple hundred feet along Alamar.
Take a look at an map online to be sure you can find it because you must not miss this place!
North to Eureka.
The Lost Coast Brewing Company. Go there. 617 4th St. Eureka. Eureka has two main strips. 5th St. heading north and 4th heading south. Lost Cost has huge signage and fine beer.
If you make it this far I must recommend hop up to Arcata just further north. Take in the town square and the Humboldt Brewery at 856 tenth street. It looked good from the outside the day we visited and Kathleen and the kids pronounced they were sick of breweries. I love them but sometimes....
Now sated you can turn around and take in either hwy 1 to the North Coast brewery in Fort Bragg or muy rapido stay on the 101 to Hopland and the Mendecino Brewing on your way home.
Beer donations will be accepted.
Here's a useful URL for your exploits (and others) of the beer perambulation variety:
http://www.beer100.com/brewpubs_a_to_k/california.htm
OK here goes:
Going North....
Start with the Boulder Creek Brewpub. About 20 miles nord o' Santa Cruz on 9. It's downtown on right side of the main strip about half a mile before the big left turn onto Big Basin Way. Very light on the signage. Look hard. 13040 HWY 9, Boulder Creek. You want the IPA.
That Big Basin Way is a Big Ass Redwood drive. Highly recommended.
After that go north for a couple three hours. Take 101 and try what I have not tried. The Lagunitas brew pub in Petaluma. 1280 North McDowell Blvd. I will be insanely jealous and happy for you.
Continue Norte along the 101 and you have a choice. Hop (get it! hop! I kill myself) onto the 128 or continue on the 101 to Hopland.
Hopland hosts the Mendocino Brewing Co. right off the 101 (13351 S. Hwy 101 to be precise). Tiny but crackling with good beer and a barmaid who's east coast boyfriend is a bit of a slacker. White Hawk IPA. Zounds!
Now in fact I'd consider stopping along the MBC on your return and instead hooking left up 128 some miles back on 101 at Cloverdale.
You missed Anderson Valley Brewing on your last run north. It's simple. Take 128 up the valley. As you approach Boonville you will find route 253 to Ukiah on your right. Take 253 approximately 20 truck lengths and on your left is the brewery. Well worth the visit.
Speaking of Ukiah you can stay on 253 and head there. Or you can continue up 128 to 1 and on to Fort Bragg and the North Coast Brewing Co. Very fine beers indeed. 444 North Main Street. Cask conditioned Red Seal. Oy Vay!
They also have a fine selection of hats. Black ones. With Seals on them.
If you decide instead to head to Ukiah amble along 253 NW towards the 101. Just as you're about to hit the 101 you take a left (north) onto State Street. Another mile and you pass the "airport". Another half or so and you'll find Ukiah Brewing on your left.102 South State Street. Busyish road in an unbusy town. It's on the southwest corner of a sedate intersection. Not obvious signage. Looks more like a large-windowed cafe. Avoid the rookie waitstaff. Sit... I mean stand at the bar. Good beer.
Northward ho!
Go for it! Avenue of the Giants north with a brief side drive along Mattole road and peek at the founders grove.
North again...
My favorite brewery on our entire sojourn was Eel River Brewing. 1777 Alamar Way, Fortuna, CA. Grub, Grog, Gaiety and [waitress]Gals were all excellent.
It's a ways north. About 30 minutes a top of the Avenue of the Giants. Worth the hike. They have the best URL www.climaxbeer.com
Look for the signs on 101. I believe it's called the Kenmar Road exit. Anyway take the exit and turn left at the bottom of the ramp onto 12th street. You go under the highway and then about 1000 feet on the Right is Alamar Way. It's right next to Riverwalk Drive. The brewery is a couple hundred feet along Alamar.
Take a look at an map online to be sure you can find it because you must not miss this place!
North to Eureka.
The Lost Coast Brewing Company. Go there. 617 4th St. Eureka. Eureka has two main strips. 5th St. heading north and 4th heading south. Lost Cost has huge signage and fine beer.
If you make it this far I must recommend hop up to Arcata just further north. Take in the town square and the Humboldt Brewery at 856 tenth street. It looked good from the outside the day we visited and Kathleen and the kids pronounced they were sick of breweries. I love them but sometimes....
Now sated you can turn around and take in either hwy 1 to the North Coast brewery in Fort Bragg or muy rapido stay on the 101 to Hopland and the Mendecino Brewing on your way home.
Beer donations will be accepted.
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