If there’s something a bit unexpected about the sound of the name Napa Valley Brewing Company, it’s because you may be surprised to find such a fantastic little brewery right in downtown Calistoga. Brewmaster Brad Smisloff is surely doing his part to make certain that the Napa Valley is no longer just a wine destination.
In just a few short years Smisloff has taken this tiny boutique brewery toward the beer stratosphere with his inspired American- and Belgian-styled beauties. He is certainly proving that great things can come in small packages. MORE...
Wine country quality inspires Mendocino’s Singh
While the players may have changed through the years, the man charged with keeping Mendocino Brewing Company relevant in today's competitive craft beer market is company president and CEO Yashpal Singh. Singh says the brewery gets inspiration from its wine country setting.
"The sense of competition is not to run down each other," he states thoughtfully. "The sense of competition is to do better than the other." MORE...
Norgrove races Bear Republic to the forefront
Brewmaster Ricardo Norgrove says his area is saturated with great wineries — “I think the last time I checked there were 84 wineries with a Healdsburg address,” he explains. — but Bear Republic is the only brewery in this little wine town. His location gives Norgrove the perfect vantage point to expound on what it means to be a brewer in wine country.
Jones delivers a treat for tourists at Moylan’s Brewing
For the wine country visitor, this is a venue where you can meet locals and discuss beer. Moylan’s beers are always clean, well made, and true to style. In short it’s an ideal place to get some craft beer experience.
Jones’s beers have won their share of awards and ribbons, and she enjoys the stylistic values of the Pacific region that she calls home. Always one to volunteer to pour her beers at community events and charity fundraisers, she seems to get her biggest kick out of talking with craft beer drinkers. She has become quite a force today among wine country brewers. MORE...
Ken Mee’s perspective on brewing in the heart of Napa County
Brewer and co-proprietor Ken Mee has special insight into wine country brewing at Silverado Brewing Company. This is the second article in the Wine Country Beer People series. MORE...
Wine heritage alive at Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Co-founder Adam Firestone's family has been making wine commercially for nearly 40 years. Although they sold their namesake Firestone Vineyards winery back in 2007, family members still own and operate the Curtis Winery in Santa Ynez. Even today, both Adam Firestone and his brewery partner David Walker live on vineyards properties.
The brewery itself sits in the midst of serious wine country. MORE...
Wine Country Beer—tourist guide to great craft beer in California wine country
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The Mendocino Loop
Not only does the Mendocino Loop take you to great breweries and wineries, but also to great scenery, both inland and coastal. Quaint little towns with laid back, interesting locals who are as hospitable as the day is long. You’ll notice the pace here is a bit more relaxed than that in the relative metropolises over in Sonoma and Napa counties. Details, suggested stops and itineraries...
Similarities of Beer, Wine
A Wine Country visit is the perfect time to look more closely at the similarities and differences of beer and wine making.
From the Editor’s Glass
To view a great bunch of photos of some of the breweries we have visited, go to the Wine Country Beer Facebook page and click on the Photos tab.
Please Drive Responsibly
When visiting the breweries and wineries of California wine country, if you are driving, please do so responsibly.
DMV Alcohol Impairment Chart from California Driver Handbook
Wine Country Beer Self Guided Tours
Even though much better known as a fine wine destination, the wine country regions of northern and central California are also a craft beer wonderland. Wine Country Beer explores some of the places, culture and history that make wine country also such great beer country. Use this guide to locate and tour these incredible artisan breweries.
We celebrate the fantastic flavors created at the great local breweries of California wine country.
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complex layered flavors, and that is something craft beer has plenty of. The best place to start exploring craft beer is right in the heart of California wine country.
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Your guide to finding great craft beer in California wine country
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