Seattle to Russian River Beer Pilgrimage - what else lies between?

Jknapp · 02-05-2010, 10:25 PM

My favorite beer on the planet (of the beers I've tried) is Pliny the Elder. I was just saying to SWMBO that I need to get to Russian River in Santa Rosa and I need to go soon. She says "why not, lets go on a roadtrip"!!

So we're going April 3-10th from Seattle. 2 days down, 4 days there, 2 days back. I am so TOTALLY stoked to be going to my beer mecca.

To sit an drink brewery fresh PTE at the brew pub at Russian River. Can't believe it!

Question is: What other noteworthy craft breweries are between here (Seattle) and Santa Rosa? Might as well hit as many as I can!

Deshutes for sure, Rogue - what else?

maskednegator · 02-05-2010, 10:30 PM

Just stay a day in Portland, you won't regret it. Too many good breweries to name!

**uwjester** · 02-05-2010, 10:39 PM

My wife and I are doing a similar road trip on our anniversary this summer. Some of the spots we are going to hit in addition to Russian River, Rogue, and Deschuttes are Lagunitas, Bear Republic, North Coast, Hair of the Dog, Widmer, Ninkasi, and 21st Amendment. I'd like to hit Anchor, but it is a scheduled tour and they don't seem to have a taproom. Depending on the route you take, it might be possible to swing by Chico, CA and do Sierra Nevada. And if you go further south, you can also hit Stone.

gplutt · 02-05-2010, 10:43 PM

Actually, I think they have Pliny the Younger on tap at the brewery down there right now. It may make it up toward Seattle sometime this month.

You CAN get stuck down in Portland. I spent 4 days down there last year going to breweries and I have a feeling I only scratched the surface.

DKershner · 02-05-2010, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jknapp

Deschutes for sure, Rogue - what else?

One down and one on the way back?

Ninkasi out of Eugene is getting some fun press, they have pretty good beer. That'll be on your way regardless.

Some people like the southern oregon stuff, I myself am not too big a fan.

If you do make it out this way, try a cascade lakes. It'll be throughout the area. If you are feeling adventurous, Bend Brewing has a GREAT old ale called outback X. Highly recommended.

EDIT: Realized you were talking about the actual breweries. Bend Brewing is within blocks from Deschutes, just head downtown, it is ONLY a brewpub, no brewery. Cascade Lakes brewery is not worth visiting, though I am only a block from it right now.

snailsongs · 02-05-2010, 11:18 PM

Ninkasi in Eugene is up and coming, I think, and they brew some good beers. Oakshire brewing is another good eugene brewery....

If you really want a beer experience in the Willamette valley, go to the Bier Stein near downtown.....it's a bottle shop and pub with hundreds, if not thousands of brews to choose from...you could take your entire beer-cation right there!

DKershner · 02-05-2010, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snailsongs

Ninkasi in Eugene is up and coming, I think, and they brew some good beers. Oakshire brewing is another good eugene brewery....

If you really want a beer experience in the Willamette valley, go to the Bier Stein near downtown.....it's a bottle shop and pub with hundreds, if not thousands of brews to choose from...you could take your entire beer-cation right there!

+1 to bier stein. It is still the greatest bar I have ever been to for beer snobbery.

Of course, that's worldwide, not just willamette valley.

**weirdboy** · 02-05-2010, 11:29 PM

Quote:

And if you go further south, you can also hit Stone.

Further South? That's quite an understatement.

If you're going to venture all the way down to San Diego, there's plenty of other breweries between SF and SD worth visiting.

And if you go further East, you can also hit Three Floyds and Brooklyn Brewing.

gplutt · 02-05-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weirdboy

Further South? That's quite an understatement.

If you're going to venture all the way down to San Diego, there's plenty of other breweries between SF and SD worth visiting.

And if you go further East, you can also hit Three Floyds and Brooklyn Brewing.

If you make it to Brooklyn, its just a boat ride over to some good English pubs. Watch out for the glasses though, I hear they break easy.

NorCalHB · 02-05-2010, 11:35 PM

Make sure you hit up Lagunitas in Petaluma, its just 15 min south of Santa Rosa.