Explore Sonoma County Breweries

Beer for Breakfast?

Why not — it’s a refreshing way to start the day! At neighborhood hangout Piner Café in Santa Rosa, owner Chrissy Schilling employs an expert to manage the eatery’s ever-changing craft suds selection. Servers can suggest the perfect beer pairings for breakfast favorites like homemade biscuits smothered in gravy, or the homemade chili and cheese omelet served with toast and potatoes.

You’re just minutes from the legendary Russian River Brewing Company‘s original location in Santa Rosa, which is famous for its uproariously popular Pliny the Younger annual release. Brewmaster/owner Vinnie Cilurzo offers up strongly-hopped, California-style ales, Belgian-inspired ales, lagers, and barrel-aged beers year-round. Sip at the inviting bar, order suds samplers off the chalkboard, and listen to rousing music.

Make Your Own Beer

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own beer, head to The Beverage People, Fermenter’s Warehouse, a shop dedicated to sharing everything you want to know about home fermentation. Browse brew-making kits, kegs, bottling equipment, and all the good stuff that goes into it, like grains, malt, yeast, and hops.

Nearby BeerCraft can also help you get informed and set up. Part tasting bar and part retail shop, this cozy store keeps customers coming for special beers of the day at 50 percent off, a craft beer of the month club, rotating taps, plus a changing list of up to 30 new beers in the store each week. It’s also a hangout for local garage beer makers, who are happy to share tips and secrets.

Hungry?

An anchor of The Barlow culinary and arts center in Sebastopol, this popular, loud destination sports an entire wall of international beers displayed next to a counter overlooking the beer tanks.

Brewmaster and co-owner Seth Wood fashions oft-changing originals like the Wet Hop Session Ale No. 1 (made of hops grown at nearby Wildo Ranch), a Gold Ridge Lager, and a sour farmhouse ale, all set on tap next to guest beers from other local purveyors such as HenHouse.

The food is notable, too, with inventive Cal-global cuisine crafted by chef-partner Jamil Peden. This means playful pub takes like white corn nuts dusted in vadouvan curry and lemon; homemade potato chips sprinkled in scallion salt and coriander for dunking in Meyer lemon yogurt; and a “BLP” sandwich of bacon, lettuce, peach, and black garlic mayo.

Also at The Barlow, Crooked Goat Brewing crafts innovative beers with a distinctive western Sonoma County style. The casual, family-friendly taproom features 16 Crooked Goat beers on tap and a menu of favorite foods from popular eateries in The Barlow.

If you’re craving more beer, you’ll find it at Sebastopol’s Hopmonk Tavern, a rustic 105-year-old stone-and-timber tavern with a world-class beer garden. Offering more than 100 different types of beer, including their own, Hopmonk also serves wine, a full bar, and a “pub grub” menu, and features a music venue known as the Abbey.

Check In

A power nap may be in order. So many out-of-towners visit Russian River Brewing Company that some nearby lodging offers special RRBC packages.

Hotel La Rose in Santa Rosa is only a half-mile away from Russian River Brewing Company, and is a historic property built in 1907 with 47 boutique rooms.

Flamingo Resort is also in Santa Rosa. All Flamingo stays include a breakfast buffet and free wine tasting passes.

Rise and Shine

Omelette Express in Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad Square has been a Sonoma County institution since 1977, serving up delicious made-to-order breakfasts and lunch in a casual setting.

The restaurant is surrounded by independently-owned shops like Western Farm Center, Green Fish Trading, and Whistlestop Antiques. All are near the beautifully restored Northwestern Pacific Railroad Train Depot, made of locally quarried stone and home to the Santa Rosa Visitor Center / California Welcome Center.

Check Out California-Grown Hops

At Fogbelt Brewing Company, brewers Paul Hawley and Remy Martin use California-grown hops exclusively. The urban-hip taphouse puts forth signature sips like Atlas Blonde (“light and crisp with a fruity hop aroma”), Del Norte IPA (“hop driven with a malty finish”), and Armstrong Stout (“rich with flavors of chocolate and coffee”).

Head to Petaluma

Next, head south to Petaluma, to other beer shrines well worth visiting: Brewsters Beer Garden, and HenHouse of Petaluma Palace of Barrels.

While you’re in the area, check out Taps Restaurant and Beer Tasting Room, where owner Eric Lafranchi features an ever-changing array of some three dozen rare, global beers on tap, and often hosts special guests for exclusive tastings. Snacks are another draw, like feta bruschetta or fiery chicken wings.

For lunch, you might try the Pub Republic. This cheerful sports bar and upscale eatery wows with uncommon plates like Brussels sprouts tacos, potato nachos, and truffle burgers. Pair your meal with an excellent selection of sampler flights, bottled locals and imports, and even gluten-free brews.

Venture North

Head north about 20 minutes to Rohnert Park‘s Parliament Brewing Company. Tucked away in a small commercial area just off Highway 101, this modern and minimalist taproom serves a variety of small-batch beers with names like Whatchamacallit IPA, Friend From Vermont New England Pale Ale, and Brown Cow Brown Ale.

In Rohnert Park, you’ll also find Old Caz Brewing. Named for a rugged road in western Sonoma County, this dog- and family-friendly spot offers a rotating variety of small-batch beers on tap, like Chismosa Mexican Amber Lager, Catastrophe Rye IPA, and Cazzberry Kettle Sour with Passion Fruit.

You’ll also want to check out the Russian River Brewing Company in Windsor. With seating for about 200, this enormous pub features two bars, a 16-seat fireplace, two gorgeous live-edge sycamore community tables, a large, pet-friendly outdoor beer garden, and a beautiful open kitchen with something for everyone.

Dinner Paired with Beer

It’s just a few minutes to downtown Healdsburg, where you’ll find Healdsburg Bar & Grill for a delicious brew-paired dinner. Besides local beers on tap, this popular restaurant has especially great burgers (topped with homemade pickles) and beer-batter-dipped fish ’n’ chips.

Stay the night in Windsor, at either the cozy Hampton Inn & Suites or Holiday Inn Express. Both properties offer chic accommodations, with amenities like an in-room fridge (to keep that beer cold) and complimentary breakfast.

Sweet, sudsy dreams!

For more fun things to do during your trip, take a look at Sonoma County’s many outdoor activities to enjoy in the valleys, vineyards, coast, and river.

Go wine tasting at one (or more!) of the 425+ wineries in Sonoma County, and enjoy farm-to-table delights at these great restaurants when you get hungry.