Hello travelers and those here out of interest. A few weeks ago I began to make my way around Northern California and visited some great breweries, tap houses, and coffee shops that I would like to recommend in San Fran and Sacramento.
Beer-y Stuff
Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, CA
$$$
Probably one of the most sought-after beers in America is brewed right in the quaint city of Santa Rosa, CA. Pliny The Elder double IPA is the breweries flagship beer, and rightly so, it is such a great balance of piny, and grapefruit aroma, the color is a golden orange, and there is a lot of hops but it does not sacrifice any of the other flavors.
As well at the brewpub I tried a sample platter of their line of sour and Belgian strongs. They wer all amazing and the price point was perfect. Although I did not try the food It loks good and was moderately priced.
To Try: Pliny the Elder 2IPA, Damnation, Consecration, Perdition, and the Framboise for a Cure wild raspberry ale
Pour House, Sacramento, CA
$$$$
This place had the idea, an idea to be a craft beer tap house with a good rotating tap selection. It falls a bit short for me as it was a little to expensive for the small pours that you get. As well the selection was marred by a host of the big brewers brands(Of course I am speaking of SAB Miller, and AB InBev). I would recommend reaching out to more local craft brewers in California, Oregon and Colorado, rather than bringing in stuff from brewers on the East coast(In turn lowering prices)
Though they fell short on the beer for me the food looks fantastic. The new lunch menu looks like it is where it is at in Sacramento.
LowBrau Bierhall, Sacramento, CA
$$
If you like beer, and you like brautwurst... GO HERE. I was not sure which section of this post to put this under, but these folks in the Midtown area have got it down. Comfortable atmosphere, great sausages(wurst, polish, chicken, boar, and 3 different vegan options), and a great selection of local craft and German beer. The toppings are great and yo have your choice of toppings on most sausages.
The service was a bit slow and the server seemed more interested in the bartender than our orders... but I cannot complain as I came and got what I wanted, great food and great beer.
To Try: Polish Sausage, Dirty Duck Fries, the Bier Cheese sauce(Topping), North Coast brewing Old Rasputin Imperial Stout, Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, Unibroue Trois Pistoles(Bottle), Tripel Karmeliet(Bottle), Green Flash IPA(Bottle)
Track 7 Brewing Co., Sacramento, CA
$$
I was not expecting much of this, kinda went with low expectations... not for any reason really. But when I arrived I found that this brewing operation is out of a warehouse and is a really nice open air brewery. Friendly staff work the bar and in the brewery and they serve great beer! One of my favorite stops in California thus far.
No food on site, BUT they do have a food truck or two that rolls up out side the brewery. Not sure what the food was though.
To Try: Panic IPA, Fresh Hop Hoppy Palm Citra Pale Ale.
Mikkeller Bar, San Francisco, CA
$$$
I had been recommended this a while back to go and try some great beers. This place is a snazzy, high end tap house with 42 taps and a specialized bottle selection. These guys know beer and bring in only the right stuff. I hear the food is really great as well.
Warning, this place does get busy for the after work/dinner rush, so be prepared for that... bit of a testament to how great this place is.
To Try: Any of the Mikkeller Beers, Mikkeller Big Worster Chardonnay Barrel Aged Barley Wine, anything by Dieu De Ciel, Ballast Point, and North Coast Brewing.
Toronado Pub, San Francisco, CA
$$
This was yet another highly recommended place by a friend in Vancouver, BC. Toronado Pub is located in the heart of Lower Haight, and is a quaint little joint. The bar staff is surly, but the beer is right, and the patrons are nice from what I experienced(Dont be a table hog... offer up empty seats).
They bar boasts about 45 taps with craft and european beers available. For food, next door is a great sausage shop that has a mean burger as well, and the staff at Toronado don't mind you bringing outside food in... so I have been told. If Sausages aren't your thing See Memphis Minnie's BBQ or Wonderland Restaurant below.
To Try: Pliny The Elder(Russian River Brewing), XX Bitter(De Ranke), Anything by Unibroue, Dogfishhead, or Lagunitas.
Coffee-y Stuff
Old Soul At The Weather Stone, Sacramento, CA
$$$
Really great atmosphere and they make a great cappuccino. As far as I was told some of the best coffee is roasted and brewed in Sacramento and this is one of the places that earns that reputation. They have great coffee, awesome food and about four draught taps.
The interior is like sitting in a warm library, and the exterior features seating on the sidewalk and in the courtyard adjecent to the coffee shop. I spent a lot of time here comfortably. I could live there.
Insight Coffee Roasters, Sacramento, CA
$$$
Insight has a passion for quality that goes into every step of the coffee process, from sourcing, roasting, and brewing. I was recommended this shop by my host and went and got a cup and I must say, it was probably the best coffee I have ever had.
If you are a fan of a good cuppa, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Blue Bottle Coffee, San Francisco, CA
$$$
Located in a variety of locations around the bay area and New York City, Blue Bottle Coffee has been touted as some of the best coffee in the world. Along with Insight Roasters are obsessive about sourcing the right coffee. This was about the best brew I have ever tried.
Cafe Du Soleil, San Francisco, CA
$$
This little place is great for a cup of morning joe, a cappuccino, or one or more of the great pastries they have. This is also a cafe bar with about 4 taps, and also has outdoor seating. The Service I received was awesome as well!
Food-y Stuff
Cafe Dantorels, Sacramento, CA
$
If you are in the area and need a heart breakfast check this place out. Great sweet and savory crepes, french toast, and eggs benny's.
Memphis Minnie's Barbecue Joint and Smokehouse, San Francisco, CA
$$
Well I woke up every morning in the room next door and one floor up from Minnie's, I had o eat there cause it smelled so good! Really great barbecue joint, authentic, and fast tasty food.
To Try: The Memphis sweet smoked pork sandwich with mac and cheese.
Wonderland Restaurant, San Francisco, CA
$
Supposedly they have the best General Tao's chicken in SF, I didn't doubt it after I tried it. It was the best I have ever had, that's for sure.
To Try: Meatless Szechuan Chicken, Avacado Rolls, General Tao's Chicken.
Golden Boy Pizza, San Francisco, CA
$
Located in Little Italy. They have great by the slice pizza, and a good tap selection. They were filled with locals every time I stopped in which means they are doing something right.
To Try: A corner slice of the Sausage Combo, and a Deschutes Chainbreaker White IPA.
Bike-y Stuff
Treat Street Bicycle Works, San Francisco, CA
These guys are experienced with everything to do with bikes and I would trust them to do all my bike work. If your in town and need a bike, or a tune, or just some parts, hit this cool little bike shop up!
The Bicycle Business, Sacramento, CA
Another one of my favorite bike shops, with knowledgeable and friendly staff, the best parts and sweet bikes. It is also worthy of noting that they have a good section of touring paniers, handle bar bags, saddle bags, and saddles... Hit them up if your touring through.
Hey Internet world, Since
beginning my trip around the globe I have had had an idea to better
rep my favorite stops in the cities and towns I visit. Instead of
bogging down my posts with a bunch of scatter brain stuff thrown in, I have decided to do these
FYI posts to hopefully give people ideas about places to visit.
They will of course be quite
beer/bike/food/tobacco/outdoors-centric because that is my interest
range. So if your into that sort of thing, this may just be for you.
If not, you might find it boring.
Well here is the first "FYI"
post about Portland. Seattle, Vancouver, and Saskatoon posts to
follow... someday.
Beer-y Stuff
Rogue Distillery and Public House
$$$$
Probably the most well known and successful of the breweries in Oregon and Cascadia for that matter, is Rogue. This pub is located downtown Portland and features their full line of Rogue Ales and Spirits. I had a pleasant time sitting at the bar and was always comfortable chatting with my neighbors. Service was a little surly and slow, but the beverages are really good.
The price was a little bit steep with a pint prices around $5-6.
To Try: All Rogue Farms Ales, Chipotle Ale and Shakespear Stout, Dad's Little Helper Black IPA, Brutal IPA, Imperial Stout.
Deschutes Brewpub
$$$
These guys are located a few blocks south of Rogue, so if your looking to brewpub hop this is a pretty decent hood. Deschutes are based out of Bend, OR but they also brew some one offs at the Portland Brewpub. Atmosphere is good, its a big place as well which is awesome if your looking for a place to go with a group of people, but watch out... it gets busy.
Service was awesome from all staff, and I was also fortunate to be there during the fresh hops season(Fall) so I got to try some fresh hops beers on draught and cask.
To Try: Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale, Chain Breaker White IPA, Red Chair NWPA, and any of the fresh hops/cask beers.
Cascade Brewing Barrel House
$$$$
I was recommended to go to this brewery when I told someone that my favorite style/conditioning technique was sour and barrel aged beers. I hit this world class place up and had a couple small glasses of sours, it was amazing, but not cheep for the beer. They have a great selection of draught sours aged in all sorts of barrels and even have two beers that are tapped "live from the barrel", meaning they are poured straight from that barrel to you snifter... for optimal flavor!
To Try: Either of the beers "Live from the barrel", Wild Elderberry, Vlad the Imp Aler, and Kriek Ale.
Green Dragon Bistro & Brew
Pub
$$$
Owned and operated by Rogue Ales, this brewpub/taproom boasts an eclectic mix of beers on 62 taps. It has decent prices and happy hour specials. I am not sure how often they do this but when I visited they had a Green Flash Brewing(San Diego, CA) tap takeover with 20 taps devoted to one of my favorite brewers. Needless to say I liked the pub, but watch out, they do not list the serving sizes of their pints on the menu. Be careful to either ask what the glass size is or be open to receive any sized glass.
To Try: Anything by Green Flash Brewing
Amnesia Brewing
$$
I loved the vibe at this place, a great patio with afternoon sun, an open air brewery that is clearly visible from the bar, friendly staff, and a head brewer that is always willing to have a beer and talk shop. Not much else I can say really, awesome place.
To Try: Copacetic IPA, Slow Train Porter, or any fresh hop beer.
Hopworks Urban Bike Bar
$$
Located on one of Portlands busiest bike routes in the North East, this place has great vibe, awesome happy hour, and great pretzels! All the beers here are organic, and pretty good. They aren't my favorite brewer but they do a number of good beers. Be sure to check out the sweet merch they have(Really cool cycle caps, and jerseys)
To Try: Cascadian Secession Dark Ale, Ace of Spades IPA, Survival 7-Grain Stout, and any of the IPX single hops series.
APEX Beer Bar
$$$
Sitting here right now as I write this post, listening to a playlist of a wide variety of awesome tunes and enjoying a fresh hop American Pale Ale. This place has a HUGE patio/outdoor seating area, 50 taps, lots of bottles, fair prices(relative to Canadian pint prices), and big screen tv's that show the current tap list... cool.
To Try: Anthing... I trust these folks to tap great beers(But if they have anything from Unibroue, drink that)
Food-y
Ford Food + Drink
$$$
Located in Portland's South-East, this place is a great place for we; the traveler. Good coffee, pastries(Check the day olds if your stretched, they are still great), lots of seating and an open WiFi network. Leather bound seats on one side, a carpeted/pillowed area on another, bar, beer taps, wine, soup and sandwiches, this is a trendy little place to chat with your hommies from around the world while waiting for happy hour.
The Hilt
$$
Great Happy hour specials on beer and food. Yup, it is cheep, and has great food for all. They have about 8 taps, lots of vegetarian options, some pin ball, indoor and outdoor seating, pool table, and WiFi.
To Try: The Garbonzo Burger(Veg-y), Kasseri Fries, and Mushroom Swiss Burger(Meat-y)
My Fathers Place
$
Your basic diner/dive bar. Good, home-y breakfasts, coffee refills, and biscuits and gravy. No WiFi though!
To Try: Its a big menu, try what you want, its hard to screw up breakfast.
Seven Virtues Cafe
$$
Whoa! Its a bit out of the way, but meh!... good place to hit p the WiFi, grab a bagel sandwich, and/or wait out the rain.
To Try: Great Coffee, and I had 'The Vegan' breakfast bagelwich(house made hummus, tomatoes, red onion, and spinnach) and it was filling and taste-y.
Shop-y
Velo-Cult Bike Shop
$$$
The price symbol above reflects only beer... I did not try a tune up, coffee, buy a Bern helmet, or book the space for an event. Yup they do it all, this is the perfect example of an all in one mixed use bike shop. I found it a little out of the way, but if your into bikes, make the trip out here for a beer, tune up, or just to check out the massive selection of vintage bikes hanging from the ceiling(psst... I think the owner has an addiction to bikes)
To Try: Anderson Valley Brewing Fall Mornin', Anything by pFriem Family Brewers or 21st Amendment Brewing.
Next Adventure
$-$$$
This is a nice outdoors store that is a great alternative to REI... and remember Oregon is the place to pick up that tent you have always wanted or that jacket to keep dry(No Taxes!).
These guys have a basement full of used gear, clothes, and other nick-knacks. I got a almost new Mountain Hard Ware Paclite shell for only $45... deal.
Alberta Cooperative Grocery
$$$$
Cause I love Co-op's I will rep these guys... a great place to pick up bulk organic and local foods. As well as a good selection of healthy food stuffs and local beer(bottles). The service is Friendly and the cashiers want to talk... don't be afraid, introduce yourself!
To Try: Cause I am backpacking... Organic Oats, Dried fruit, produce, and Indian Life dinners.
Smoke-y
82nd Pipe and Tobacco
$
Out of the way(82 blocks east of Willamette River) this shop was great. Great service, great selection of pipes of all prices, great selection or pipe tobacco and cigars, and due to a grand fathered law, a cigar lounge... they also *may* let you smoke your pipe in the lounge... be nice to them!
To Try: Acadian Perique, Original Mixture, and Scottish Mixture by MacBaren Tobacco.
McMenamins Greater Trumps
$$
This is a shnazzy little joint in the South-East that is a cigar lounge with booze. Owned and operated by McMenamins, you can BYO cigars to this lounge and smoke 'em(they even tolerate pipe tobacco).
McMenamins Kennedy School
$$
Ok, pay attention kids! This is a converted school that is the ultimate adults playground. With hotel rooms, cigar lounge, whiskey tasting room, theater, 2 bars, and outdoor soaking pool, you can easily lose attention in class. The soaking pool is open to guests until 8 pm and BE WARNED pipe smokers, they do not allow pipes in the cigar lounge... against the law or some garbage.
To Try: The wide variety of tater-tots(delicious), Teminator Stout, Hammerhead NWPA, and Ruby Ale.
