Russian River is the lowest quality Sonoma County has to offer, Try Bear Republic, or Aleworks. Also Mendo Brewery, Sierra Nevada (in house only) Fort Bragg brewery (Red Seal) and Lost Coast. Saying Pliny is a quality Norcal Beer is to be misinformed, its ok, but locals know the true goods are found elsewhere.....
Lol what! Every local I know from the area would chose Russian River over many local and national breweries. Although people should try some Moonlight beers...
Not to offend the RR faithful, but their beers for my tastes it isn’t the holy grail of breweries. The quality and craftsmanship is there but my type of beer taste differs greatly. Pilny is way too hoppy and the other stuff they offer is Belgium style.
In norcal Loomis Basin (Old 40 Porter and Big Boy), Lost Coast (picked up a case of winterbraun…yum! Or one of my favs Downtown Brown), North Coast (Old 38 or Old Rasputin) or Moylans’s and Laganitas (please bring back the port infuse Hairy Eyeball!!!!!! And WTF), Mammoth (Nut Brown Ale and Hair of the Bear), Shastafarin from Weed, Mendocino (Eye of The Hawk, or Red Tail-summer only).
There are more but that’s my standard rotation….either way cheers!
I have lived in sonoma county for 27 years and have seen stuff come and go. Russian river is new in SR, compared to Aleworks right around the corner the place sucks, especially if you add in the food, which Russian is sparse and terrible. Bear Republic in Healdsburg is a way better crafter as well, I know a brewer from there and have drank varietals none of you have drank. (some of them as high as 13%-14% alcohol barley wines and bourbon barrel aged stuff) Russian river is a newbie and replaced a better bar, the Old Vic. @jtmartino, I know vinny and his op is not the best in the world. more like a small skilled locally respected guy
but check the winners of the "Great American Beer fest" notice some locals, but Russian River is absent.....wonder if they don't know there beers either.....nope they must just "spout" as well. He won in 2006 in the world beer cup and 2009 at the GABF but thats it Bear is in every year Anchor makes it alot so does Anderson Valley. So why are they the best only one year instead of every year? GABF Winners « Great American Beer Festival
If that last comment was directed at me...um ok, yes I've been to both locations. My taste is completely different thus LC beers are better imho, I don't care about awards and such if my palate doesn't like it. The brewery atmosphere....I could give RR a higher mark than LC sure if being judge for a brewery atmosphere. But speaking of the beer, nope LC is much better for my tastes. RR didn't brew anything that I liked (stout, porter, Brown, Ales, dopplebock) I appreciate the quality and experimentation but I judge on the beers how I like them not the atmosphere. The food at LC is very tasty in comparison as well. Look many here love RR and I can see why just their beer isn't the type I prefer. Not doggin' RR at all there are plenty of other breweries and they are all successful because there are all types of demand for different flavors and styles. So enjoy your RR and I'll do the same w/ LC...
Enjoyed a Chocolate Stout from Rogue brewery just a bit north, but they do have an alehouse in SF so it is relevant.
So you think you know Rosa? You don't know nuthin'. I could tell you stories about Rosa. If you see her tell her I'd really like that video back. I'd be willing to pay if she could just return it or forget about it.
everyone likes it and if you knock it, you are a fool!
Haha, just pointing out something. I'm not knocking it, I have never tried it actually.
Anyway, continue the debate!
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