Don't let the name fool you. There's something brewing among the rolling vineyards of wine country. Beer! Combine some laid-back outdoor fun with a pint of frothy goodness from these three craft breweries.
Beerville
Electric cars, space travel, hyperloop, solar-powered beer-making … say what?! If Elon Musk were a master brewer, he might have started Anderson Valley Brewing Company. The privately owned brewery in tiny Boonville has been creating craft beer since before the craft beer movement—and it’s sun-powered to boot. Best known for the Boont Amber Ale (with a label drawing of a bear with deer antlers), Anderson Valley Brewing Company has a Bavarian-style brewery filled with 100-barrel copper brew kettles, a lively Tap Room, and a sprawling 18-hole disc golf course (pictured) for extra kicks. Belly up to the bar in the tap room for a flight of new creations and traditional favorites, or kick back in the beer garden out back, where you can taste several beers that are available only at the brewery, like Highway 128 (a beer whose recipe is always changing), the black IPA, and the Belgian-style blonde ale. Work up a thirst and quench it with a friendly game of disc golf. Hole 10 is 350 feet long! (Sink the disc within three shots and you’re buying the next round.) Brewery’s got good game!
TIP: Hendy Woods State Park is just 10 miles up the highway. Hike among 300-foot-tall coastal redwoods, pitch a tent in the campground, or spend the night in one of the park’s four cabins.
Anderson Valley Brewing Company, 17700 Hwy. 253, Boonville; 707-895-BEER. The Tap Room is open Saturday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from 11:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Dog-friendly!
Activity: Relax ,Dog-friendly
Region: Points Beyond
New Beer on the Block
The Carneros wine region enjoys the luxury of straddling the Sonoma-Napa county line. Its proximity to the bay keeps the climate cool, just right for pinot noir, chardonnay...pilsner and IPA! The Carneros Brewing Company just opened its doors a few weeks ago and we're all invited! The large outdoor lawn and beer garden is ideal for lounging on a blanket or enjoying food and brews at one of the picnic tables; the center pond lends to the watering-hole ambience; and the indoor tasting room is sleek and sporty (that is, you can likely catch the latest baseball or football game). Started by five brothers, including one who has been in the brewing industry for 20 years, the brewery features Cerveza Pilsner, Jefeweizen, Morena Ale, and Carneros IPA. Taste all of their selections, or grab a pint of your favorite, and kick back at the bar or find a seat in the beer garden, which feels more like a park. Three cheers for five brothers!
TIP: Work up your thirst on this flat 30-mile road ride through the Carneros region.
Carneros Brewing Company, 22985 Burndale Rd. (at Hwy. 121), Sonoma; (707) 938-1880. The Tap Room and beer garden are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dog-friendly!
Activity: Relax
Region: North Bay
Perfect Beer Pairing
Hiking and beer are probably not the first things that come to mind when you think of Napa. But way on the northern end of this valley there’s a gorgeous hiking trail, and a brewery to quench your thirst afterwards! The Oat Hill Mine Trail is the best way to get a sweeping perspective of the valley without jumping into a hot air balloon. (The trail was constructed in 1873 to provide a transportation route between Calistoga and the quicksilver mines.) Within the first half-mile you’ll arrive at a bench overlooking the vineyards and green forests of Calistoga and the northern Napa Valley. The trail climbs up to a grand total of 8.25 miles (one-way), but you can turn around whenever you feel that thirst coming on. Oh, you’re ready for that part? Then get to the Calistoga Inn Restaurant and Brewery—the first commercial brewery in Napa since Prohibition. This isn’t your typical brew pub: its white table cloths and quiet creekside setting make the outdoor patio a nice option for date-night, where a beer and a burger and garlic parmesan fries make tasty pairings. The beer is brewed onsite and you’ll always find their wheat ale, pilsner, red ale, and porter on tap. Enjoy a pint and be sure toast the other side of wine country!
The Oat Hill Mine trailhead and parking is at the corner of Silverado Trail and Hwy. 29. The Calistoga Inn Restarant & Brewery is located at 1250 Lincon Ave., Calistoga; (707) 942-4101. The trail is dog-friendly. No dogs at the restaurant.
Activity: Hike ,Relax ,Dog-friendly
Region: North Bay
5K + Mud, Fire, Beer = Warrior Dash!
If you’re tired of those "flat and fast" 5Ks, it’s time to attempt the world’s largest obstacle race series. Warrior Dash is a 5K race that involves mud crawling, fire leaping, barbed wire maneuvering, and beer drinking … and it all adds up to the most fun you’ll ever have at a 5K! Warrior Dash lands in Northern California on October 26—with some brand- new obstacles for participants to tackle. Whether it’s your first 5K or you’re a seasoned runner, Warrior Dash will test your wits and grit on the Battleground (aka extreme terrain), as you conquer 12 demanding obstacles over more than 3 miles. Ridiculous outfits are encouraged, but standard sporting gear works too. At the finish line you’ll be greeted with a complimentary beer, crowned with an official Fuzzy Warrior helmet and finisher medal, and given a Bad-ass Warrior Dash t-shirt. After the race, make your way to the festival area for live music, beer, and giant turkey legs. Sign up today to secure your Warrior status!
BONUS: Warrior Dash is a proud national partner of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Racers can choose to fundraise for St. Jude, and those who raise over $300 will gain access to a VIP area that includes a private lounge and catering.
Register now for Warrior Dash NorCal, happening on October 26 in Esparto, CA.