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To most of the world Sonoma County, California is synonymous with wine country... and with good reason. But, Sonoma County is also great craft beer country. The region has a rich beer history — it was once a hop growing region as is evidenced by the hop kilns pictured below, which have now been converted into the Hop Kiln Winery just outside Healdsburg. It was also home to one of the first American microbreweries, the legendary New Albion.


Sonoma County is a hotbed of microbrewing with highly respected artisan brewers making extremely interesting beers. Most would rate the taste variety as unsurpassed by any other brewing region in the country. A strip a few miles either side of Highway 101 must be a breeding ground for great brewers.


Click below to learn more about these favorite local breweries. Bold type denotes a featured brewery.:

  1. Bear Republic Brewing in Healdsburg

  2. Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa

  3. Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma

  4. Moonlight Brewing Co. near Santa Rosa

  5. Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol

  6. Dempsey's Brewery in Petaluma

  7. Sonoma Springs Brewing in Sonoma

  8. Third Street AleWorks in Santa Rosa

  9. Ruth McGowan’s Brewpub in Cloverdale

 

Photos

Top left: The copper topped bar at Bear Republic Brewing in Healdsburg

Above: Redwood trees at Armstrong Redwoods State Preserve near Guerneville

Right: Hop Kiln Winery, which was once a hop drying facility, is located a little south of Healdsburg.

Sonoma County

Craft Beer Tour Stops

The outlined area on the map shows Sonoma County’s craft beer region. The symbols mark the location of each craft brewery.

While visiting the great wineries in Sonoma County don’t forget to take time to stop in at least a couple of the great craft breweries. If you haven’t before experienced the work of today’s best artisan brewers, you are in for a real treat.

The beers of Sonoma County range from rich and complex to light, crisp and refreshing. They pair with food as well as any other beverage.