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

[Jknapp]

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]

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

 

[uwjester]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[remilard]

Rogue is way out of your way, but if you head to the coast go to Pelican Pub too.

I would recommend Walking Man in Stevenson Wa, and certainly Moylans, Marin, Lagunitus, and Bear Republic. North Coast is nice, but will be a bit out of your way.

 

[Jknapp]

Lagunitas, YES! How about Firestone Walker - anywhere close to RR area?

 

[weirdboy]

Lagunitas, YES! How about Firestone Walker - anywhere close to RR area?

NO! Unless you're willing to drive an extra 3-4 hours.

 

[user 22118]

If the destination is Santa Rosa, then I would say that San Francisco might be the max distance to travel. That said, there is Speakeasy, Marin, 21A, Moylans, Dempseys (petaluma), Lagunitas, Third St, Mendocino Brewing (in Hopland) and then further north comes others as well. Not to push anything but to me, Marin Brewing has some great beer. I think that they have one of the best sour beers that I have tried and it is only available at the pub. The brewer there has been brewing for a super long time, Arne Johnson. Good guy too.

 

[chemman14]

Make sure you hit up Lagunitas in Petaluma, its only like 10 minutes from Russian River. The tour is at 3 and it begins with beer tasting

 

[Brewsmith]

If you take I-5, Portland and Eugene OR are big beer destinations, and there's Standing Stone in Ashland OR, just a few miles north of the OR/CA border. Once in CA all of the above mentioned breweries are off US-101. I'd say plan on going into San Francisco since Santa Rosa is only 45 minutes north of there, and there are a ton of breweries in SF, and many of the others above are off the 101, like Moylans, Marin Brewing, Russian River, Bear Republic, and Mendocino. A couple others are a short trip off the 101 like Lagunitas and Anderson Valley. Also off the path is Sierra Nevada in Chico, but if you're heading south from I-5, just get on CA-99 which will take you right there. From there you can go south into Sacramento and back on the interstates to get to SF.

 

[LazyPBar]

in portland widmer and pyramid are pretty fun ones. cool t-shirts lol. i have never been to one but i hear just about any mcmenamins is worth checking out and if you are going to hit deschutes in bend go via 224 through estacada and hit fearless brewery. small town, small brewery but worth the stop. in california, north coast would definitly be on my list, their pilsner (scrimshaw) is in my top 5 favorite beers without a doubt. and if you fancy a scenic route you can cut through the redwoods and as someone else mentioned before hit anderson valley brewing in booneville. my great grandpa was actually a brewer in that area at one time. then you cut across to ukiah and hopland to hit mendocino brewing company. then straight south to santa rosa. hope you have a swell trip but i think that is pretty much a given!

 

[southpawbrew]

My favorite beer on the planet (of the beers I've tried) is Pliny the Elder.

Just got back from my first trip to RR. Missed Pliny The Younger release by a week. It's at RR starting today. They said it probably wouldn't last more than a week at the brewpub. Pliny's reputation is well deserved and I was excited to get it at the source. But what really blew me away was being able to drink most of Vinny's Belgium style and barrel aged beers on tap. Well worth getting the sampler platter. Great place, great beer, well worth the pilgrimage.

+1 on 21st Amendment. Great location in SF and nice feel at the brewpub. I recommend ending up at 21st Amend on Friday 4/9 and hitting the brewpub when it opens at 11am. Then walk down the street and catch the Giants playing the Braves in a day game. Even if you're not big fans it's a beautiful park and come' on beer and baseball!!! (Go Angels)

 

[sean6247]

From there you can go south into Sacramento and back on the interstates to get to SF.

While you are in Sacramento, be sure to try River City Brewing, The Rubicon, and Hoppy Brewing Co. Three lesser known by very high quality brewers in Sacramento. And all three are downtown.

 

[PBHBeer]

You have to stop at Block15 in Corvallis, Or. They only sell there own beer. Last time I was in they had a Belgian cherry quad that was amazing

 

[gerbache]

Bear Republic is definitely worth the trip to Healdsburg, which is something like 45 minutes northwest of Santa Rosa. Their Hop Rod Rye is excellent. Depending on which way you come down the coast, there's also Lost Coast in Eureka and North Coast Brewing in Fort Bragg, up closer to the Oregon border, but they're quite a ways off from I-5.

 

[wonderbread23]

I hit Bear Republic, Moylans, Lagunitas, and Russian River all in one day once (started at 11am when they opened and spent the day drinking). The Lagunitas tour is great (and they have a beer garden) and food at Moylans and RR were fantastic.

I routinely do the drive from Seattle to the Bay Area in a single day ... about 14 hours (you can drive fast once you hit CA). Honestly the places near Portland are better left as day trips or quick weekends from Seattle. I'm a huge fan of beer day-trips in P-land (particularly Laurlewood).

Also of note, it is a pretty drive and good time heading over to Napa from Sonoma. I believe there is at least one micro in Napa.

 

[NorCalHB]

Bear Republic is definitely worth the trip to Healdsburg, which is something like 45 minutes northwest of Santa Rosa. Their Hop Rod Rye is excellent. Depending on which way you come down the coast, there's also Lost Coast in Eureka and North Coast Brewing in Fort Bragg, up closer to the Oregon border, but they're quite a ways off from I-5.

Your're a little off course there buddy. Healdsburg is only 15-20 min from Santa Rosa. Take 101 north, take the central Healdsburg exit, keep straight until your downtown and Bear Republic is on your left.

 

[ronaldo_fanbelt]

Sorry to get off topic, but you guys are making me thirsty.

 

[chemman14]

Your're a little off course there buddy. Healdsburg is only 15-20 min from Santa Rosa. Take 101 north, take the central Healdsburg exit, keep straight until your downtown and Bear Republic is on your left.

its not that easy, it took me and my buddy like 3 trips around the block to finally find where it was hidden

 

[NorCalHB]

its not that easy, it took me and my buddy like 3 trips around the block to finally find where it was hidden

I think you may have had a few to many home brews before the trip.. anyways, if anyone is looking for it I can see where it is a little difficult. Follow the same directions listed above but here they are with a little mroe detail. Take central healdsburgh exit, go straight.. once you come to the third stop light you will see a town green to your right, Bear Republic is in the business located directly accross the street but in the middle of the business.. your right, its kinda hard cause you cant see it from the street.

 

[chemman14]

I think you may have had a few to many home brews before the trip.. anyways, if anyone is looking for it I can see where it is a little difficult. Follow the same directions listed above but here they are with a little mroe detail. Take central healdsburgh exit, go straight.. once you come to the third stop light you will see a town green to your right, Bear Republic is in the business located directly accross the street but in the middle of the business.. your right, its kinda hard cause you cant see it from the street.

yeah, I knew I was circling it because of the address numbers. The only way I figured it out was the grain silo

 

[hbomb]

If you cut over to the 101, Anderson Valley is east of Sacramento I think. When I lived in Eugene, I enjoyed High Street and the North Bank McMenamin's as well as Eugene City Brewery (Rogue). My roommate also used to brew at Steelhead over off of 5th Street and their stuff was pretty consistant.

 

[trailblazer]

you cant pass up steel head in humboldt or any of the other breweries in eureka california.

 

[Prime]

These have been great suggestions. You are making me want to take this trip! Now I have to figure out how to convince SWMBO.

I'll second leaving Portland alone and just make it a weekend or day trip.