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Finding Craft Beer in West Sonoma County
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Sonoma County is best known for the cities along US 101 and wine country in the eastern part of the county. To the west are fog shrouded rolling hills farm land, not a place many would think of searching for good beer. You might be surprised, but there are a few excellent places to stop for a tasty pint that are worth the drive out of town.
The first stop is in the hidden town of Occidental. Barley and Hops is owned by Mirjam and Noah Bolmer. In the bar you'll find 10 taps with a selection of beers from local brewers as well as some that have made it from around the world. If that doesn't have what you're looking for, an extensive bottle list is sure to please you, including a rare and hard to find bottles for those looking for somethiung special. If you fancy a nosh, the menu is not your typical pub fare. On my visit the special of the night was a bacon-wrapped meatloaf in a gravy made with Moonlight's Death and Taxes. Check out more of Barley and Hops in the slideshow.
Back along the Russian River you can find the Rio Nido Roadhouse for some tasty brews. Along side some macro taps, looks for a selection that includes Stone, Speakeasy, New Belgium, Bear Republic and soon to be a rotating selection of craft brewers. With a name like the Roadhouse some might think of a rought and tumble kind of place, but one evenings with music, you're more likely to find kids running between the outside lawn and patio enjoying some of the pizzas and pub fare on the menu.
If house-brewed ales are more your style, stay on River Road and head to the Stumptown Brewery. Here you'll fnd a selection of in-house brews including their prehistoric Fossil Fuels X.P. as well as Stumptown regulars Rat Bastard and Bushwhacker Wheat. If you're looking for a local selection, Boont Amber, Racer 5 and Moonlight's Death and Taxes are sure to be found.
Don't fear, the Western parts of the county have plenty of good beer. Head out and find these places for yourself and discover some fine watering holes of your own. They are out there, waiting for you to find them.
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