Beer is an interesting beverage. It has a reputation as being a lesser alcoholic beverage more associated with Bud Light and other cheap booze. Its history is far more interesting. Sacramento was home to the first migration of Europeans during the Gold Rush, and those miners wanted some beer! German immigrants came looking for gold but ended up making their fortunes growing hops and barley and selling beer by the barrel to a very thirsty California.
Over the last decade, I have watched the local beer industry develop before my eyes. Sacramento was a historic beer area with many breweries and hop gardens. This brewery - Track 7 Brewing Company - is near my house and won my heart shortly after opening in 2011. Many brewpubs have come and gone, but these guys were focused on becoming a real brewery. No food, just beer taps and picnic tables in a warehouse. They have grown substantially and are expanding to a new facility soon. Fortunately, they will keep the ever popular original location and use it for wild and sour beers. I love their Big 4 strong ale and cannot wait for their sour. Even Governor Brown loved the place enough to sign a beer bill here last year!
So I actually have two breweries within walking distance. The newest one - New Helvetia Brewing Company - is also a popular addition to the neighborhood. This one is located near the Broadway Light Rail station and serves those awesome peanut butter filled pretzel bites. They also have good beer. Like any respectable California brewery, they have their IPA and hoppy beers. However, they also have an awesome lager done in the style of an old Buffalo Lager from early Sacramento days. Their bar is a cool chunk of wood, and the huge windows allow the drinker to see all the colorful characters walking down Broadway.
Heading to midtown Sacramento, you will encounter one of the old stalwarts in the region - Rubicon Brewing Company. These guys have been brewing for 26 years and know their craft. The bar is always packed with locals grabbing a pint, some good food, and a cool location to watch the game or just escape the wives. I always enjoy a Monkey Knife Fight, and they usually have some interesting barrel aged or unique styles on tap. Rubicon is definitely a good place to start or end your beer journey!
Downtown Sacramento had an open air shopping mall which will soon be replaced with a new arena for the Sacramento Kings. Part of the mall will survive, and fortunately that will include the River City Brewing Company. Often overlooked, this brewpub has been brewing and pubbing for a long time and serves a solid beer selection. The brewery is strategically located near Forever 21 and Macy's so boyfriends of all ages can sneak away for some refreshment during an endless Saturday shopping spree!
Apple Hill near Sacramento has a reputation for apples, but nestled within the orchards is Jack Russell Farm Brewery. If you can find it at the end of a long and winding road, you will be rewarded with a quaint little place serving refreshing beer in a gorgeous place. Occasionally, you can find their beer in local stores, but the fun is sitting in the grass and looking for the Jack Russell running around the grounds. And yes, they have an apple beer.
Placer County is quickly emerging as a strong competitor for local beer. Knee Deep Brewing Company is quickly emerging as a major regional player even though their large brewery is very hidden next to the Auburn Airport. They are clearly focused on their beer, except for the cornhole games and World Cup Soccer! Hops are king here, but even their DIPA Simtra has a very good balance of flavors that can please most palates. I loved the balanced McCarthy's Bane. They are not afraid to experiment with all types even being patient with some lagers on tap. The massive mural on the wall is a nice treat too.
Another long and winding road leads you to GoatHouse Brewing Company. This place is awesome! They converted a barn in the middle of farm country into a brewery, grow their own hops, and use as many local ingredients as they can find. My favorite was the Honeyweizen, although most of their beers were very good. There are goats on the property and a lot of happy visitors. You need to make a reservation for a tasting and growler sales. The business friendly Placer County ignores their reputation and prohibits them from selling pints and limits capacity. Please complain, but this place is worth a visit. Really good place.
To quote Guy Fieri, the Out of Bounds Brewing Company really is "out of bounds!" These guys have an excellent facility with games, huge televisions, and really good English-style beers. Yes, they have the hop forward beers modern Californians crave, but their wide selection of styles can please any palette. I enjoyed their Big Gun Porter with chocolate malt and maple syrup. They have barrel aged beers and are canning beer for regional distribution. Look for a lot of good things from these Rocklin guys in the near future.
This post is so long, you may need another beer.
Tucked in a little commercial park tucked in between the highway and railroad is the Roseville Brewing Company. This nano-brewery is quietly experimenting with fruit-flavored beer. Most people will discount any fruit beers as a lesser product, but we Americans are missing out on the party. All over the world, there are beer cocktails and flavored beers that are wildly popular and respected. These guys make an amazing Strawberry Wheat beer that will change your mind. The flavor is strong, but not sweet, which compliments the base flavors. The brewery also maintains a railroad theme which is expected given the proximity to the railroad which rumbles outside the back door.
Back in Sacramento County, you will probably miss the New Glory Craft Brewery when you arrive. This brewery is tucked in the back of an office park in the industrial part of Sacramento, but the owner will welcome you and offer his finest brews and a seat in a surprisingly nice taproom. My favorite was the India Pale Lager, but they are making some interesting takes on classic brews including California Common and Red Ales. This place is A's territory, but I cannot fault them for supporting the wrong team.
Everybody should watch out for Device Brewing Company right around the corner from New Glory. These guys are making some top notch beer and are starting to get some momentum. And not just for the Jenga tournaments. Device is unabashedly a West Coast style brewery with lots of hops and high alcohol beers clearly targeted for their audience. Beer people are noticing this place and spending their free time sampling the latest creations. Grab a pint and try to move that block without toppling the tower!
Only one more county to go!
Bike Dog Brewing Company in West Sacramento in Yolo County is another local microbrewery with a quality product. I work indirectly with some of the owners and am excited to see them put out a great experience. The brewery is a typical modern brewhouse with taps and picnic tables nestled between the brewery equipment and in this case many bikes. I was especially impressed with their Milk Stout and the wide variety of board games. They have limited hours, but unlimited potential. Good luck guys!
YOLO Brewing Company is sort of a reincarnation of a favorite brewery. Brew-It-Up was a brewery near and dear to my heart in Sacramento that closed in 2011. YOLO is recreating the old recipes and the ability for personal brewing in an old warehouse in the industrial part of West Sacramento. They did not have my favorite Scotch Ale on tap, but their Brown Ale was a nice reminder of many happy hours past.
Further out in Yolo County is the small town of Winters, CA and the home of Berryessa Brewing Company. These guys have quickly developed a strong reputation for quality beer in Northern California and their large open grounds are perfect for a stop heading to their namesake lake. I did like their Session IPA - Mini Separation Anxiety - even though they have a poor reputation. It was a perfect beer for a very hot day in the middle of farm company. Fortunately, a local food truck was serving deep fried pita chips which were a mighty fine companion.
Even the fine town of Woodland, CA has their own worthy brewery. Black Dragon Brewery is serving some fine beers to the local aficionados in a (slight) medieval themed taproom. These guys are not afraid of adding fruit to their beer and also not afraid of weird names. I just had to try the blueberry flavored Fairy Fart beer and was impressed. They are also not afraid to serve guest beers including PBR. Huzzah to all our Woodland neighbors!
After all this beer, I cannot resist a little nostalgia for Brew-It-Up. This brewery was originally from Davis, CA but moved to downtown Sacramento in 2004 only a few blocks from my work. I spent many days here drinking nearly every beer they had on tap and participated in several personal brewery experiences. The food was terrible, but the beer was always great and served with a smile. The above pint of Scotch Ale was from their final day.
After touring many regional breweries, I can honestly say that the Sacramento brewing scene is alive and kicking. That said, support your neighborhood brewery! Beer is not limited to a specific region or style and is best served fresh. The brewery down the street likely has the best pints in the area and is always a good way to keep your money local. Explore responsibly, and enjoy the rest of the pictures below.
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