WINEMAKER’S PROVERB:
“It takes a lot of beer to make good wine.”
Hunter S. Thompson contributed the following quote to the original back label of Road Dog Ale from the Flying Dog Brewery of Colorado, “There is an ancient Celtic axiom that says, ‘Good people drink good beer’, which is true, then as now. Just look around you at any public barroom and you will quickly see, bad people drink bad beer. Think about it.” At Jus Soli, we feel that at least the first part of Hunter’s sentiment can be applied to the old winemaker’s proverb. Great beer helps make great wine. And fortunately for us, there is no shortage of outstanding brew to be found in Sonoma County.
Russian River Brewing Company
Visit their new brewpub in downtown Santa Rosa and you’ll shortly be asking your companions, “Could the beer you’re drinking right now possibly be as good as the beer I’m drinking right now?” And you know what, from pale to bitter to IPA and double IPA to a killer stout and a wide assortment of Belgians with cool names like Little White Lie, Redemption, Perdition and Damnation, every single beer they make is truly exceptional. We’d try to get our wine on their wine list if we thought it made any sense to drink wine here. It doesn’t. The beer is that good and can be brought home (or to the winery) in refillable half-gallon growlers.
Bear Republic Brewing Company
This Healdsburg brewpub is run by old friends Richard and Tami Norgrove and also makes nothing but standout brews. The high octane Hop Rod Rye has been a particular favorite for several years now. Our only complaint is that their establishment is so far away from where we all live. Thankfully their 22-ounce bottlings can be found in most good markets and liquor stores throughout the county.
Moonlight Brewing Company
This one is a little trickier because they don’t have a brewpub and don’t bottle any of their beers. You’ll have to locate a place that serves their beer like The Rose on Armory Drive in Santa Rosa which always has their popular black lager “Death and Taxes” on tap or the Wine Exchange of Sonoma (see below for more info) which usually features one of their brews at their tasting bar in the back. Or contact proprietor/brewmaster Brian Hunt directly to arrange for a keg and you’re sure to have a good laugh while you do since Brian is quite a character in addition to his impressive beer skills.
Wine Exchange of Sonoma
This wine and beer shop on the square in Sonoma deserves special mention because of their bar in the back of the store where they pour approximately twenty wines and a handful of incredible beers for your tasting pleasure and edification. Last time I was there they had one Moonlight beer, one Russian River beer, one Bear Republic beer and actually had the legendary Belgian brew Delirium Tremens on tap! What a treat. Dan and Rich certainly know their stuff. And don’t forget to pick up some Jus Soli wine on your way out!
Murphy’s Irish Pub
http://www.sterba.com/sonoma/murphy/
The best atmosphere for beer drinking in Sonoma County lies down a little alleyway just down from the Sebastiani Theater on the historic square in Sonoma. Get an outdoor table along the quaint pedestrian alleyway as the sun goes down on a summer night and you’ll swear there’s no place better for a few pints of Guinness anywhere. There’s live music (traditional Irish, folk, blues or bluegrass) four nights a week including a family friendly 6pm Sunday start time.
I’m sure we’ll bump into you at one of these places eventually,
The Jus Soli Winery Beer Club
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