PCH – The Beer Lover’s Ultimate Road Trip, Part 2
Now that we’re officially out of Southern California, we can leave all the traffic (and headache) behind. From this point on, it’s nothing but blue skies and open road on this road trip! If you missed the first part, you can check it out HERE before moving on.
SANTA BARBARA
At this point, we’re guessing you’re tired of the breathtaking ocean views along one of the most famous drives in the world. Well too bad, because we’re only halfway done with our PCH Brewery tour. And trust us, if you think that the first half was good, it’s only going to get better. Santa Barbara, known for their hard partying colleges and beautiful scenery, has yet another claim to fame (as if they needed something else to brag about). If you guessed beer, you would be right!
Island Brewing
Address: 5049 6th Street Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, CA 93013
Beers Worth Trying: Avocado Honey Ale & Jubilee Ale
Why We Loved It: What do avocados have to do with beer, you ask? Avocado beer, of course! Well, technically it’s just an ingredient in Island Brewing Company’s Avocado Honey Ale. It’s a collaboration beer between beekeepers, avocado workers, and the brewery…a true labor of love to remind you that bees are dying at an alarming rate. Don’t think that this is scheme designed to get people through the doors; Island Brewing Company has been around since 2001, and is one of the most respected breweries with a huge selection of beers to choose from. That said, even if you don’t want an avocado beer, there’s sure to be something that will tickle your fancy.
Brass Bear Brewing
Address: 28 Anacapa Street, Suite E, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
Beers Worth Trying: Blood Orange / Raspberry Imperial Gose & Goldilocks Blonde
Why We Loved It: THE FOOD! We mean, beer can only substitute so many meals, but luckily, Brass Bear Brewing Company had us covered. With their food and drink pairing dinner, you’re going to be glad you stopped here. This full fledged brewery not only makes beer, but also wine and cider (gasp!). Don’t be so quick to call them an abomination or an affront to beer breweries though. They definitely know what they’re doing.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
You finally made it…to the most central location between LA and San Francisco. If you underestimated how huge California actually is, you’re not alone. California is 840 miles of Golden Coast, luckily for you, PCH 656 miles. At this point, you might feel like you need yet another drink. Well good, because that’s what this trip is for; to taste the differences in beer as you travel up (and eventually back down) the coast.
Central Coast Brewing
Address: 1422 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
Beers Worth Trying: Lucky Day IPA & Monterey Street Pale Ale
Why We Loved It: Opened in 1998, Central Coast Brewing has turned into a staple in the, well, central coast. Located in downtown San Luis Obispo, this family operated brewery has over 10 beers on tap, with styles varying from IIPA to Sours. Like their Huntington Beach cohorts, they also have a mobile beer truck, aptly named the Tactical Thirst Response, and it’s a literal keg on wheels. Not only that, they’re gold medalists in both the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. So yeah, they’re pretty good.
Barrelhouse Brewing
Address: 1033 Chorro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Beers Worth Trying: Mango IPA & Sunny Daze Citrus Blonde Ale
Why We Loved It: If you’re looking for something a little more…discreet, hit up Barrelhouse Brewing Company and their speakeasy. Be warned, getting there is difficult…and half the fun. And once you get there, you’re in for a treat; with live music, 16 different taps, and their specialty specialty beers, this taproom is easily worth the extra effort. And like all good things in life, a little effort goes a long way; this little hole in the wall (pun intended) is bound to leave a lasting impression.
SANTA CRUZ
The second to last stop on our tour; this is a good thing because, at this point, you’re probably wondering if your liver (or wallet or patience) would make it. But it will! The promise of beer fills you with excitement. That, and the fact that you don’t have to spend another minute sitting shoulder to shoulder in the backseat of your friends’ car will make this next stop definitely worth it.
New Bohemia Brewing
Address: 1030 41st Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
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Beers Worth Trying: Monkey Business Dunkelweizen & Velvet Revolution Vienna Lager
Why We Loved It: Some might say that we’re living in the “renaissance revival” of beers…but in all actuality, we’re not. We’re living in the revival of the beer with a bite: the IPA’s, IIPA’s, Stout’s. New Bohemia Brewing Company takes it in a completely different direction. Like their namesake, they focus on the beers of Old Bohemia; the Pilsners, Lagers, etc., but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have (or enjoy) IPA’s or Stouts. It’s refreshing to see a brewery that doesn’t believe “the bitter-er the better”, especially when most of California’s Craft scene is dominated by it. As you could expect from a Santa Cruz brewery, the entire brewery itself is “green”, which is just one extra thing that makes NuBo great.
Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
Address: 1030 41st Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Beers Worth Trying: The People’s Porter & Devout Stout
Why We Loved It: By using only organic ingredients, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery makes sure that the beer that make is both good to drink and somewhat good for you. At their taproom, they serve their seven core beers along with whatever specialties are on tap. If you feel as if your body needs a little bit of a cleanse, they also serve kombucha as well. What really makes this brewery special, though, is their outdoor beer garden. What better way to enjoy an IPA than with some Vitamin D?
SAN FRANCISCO
BAY AREA! You’ve made it to the end of your journey. Relax and unwind in one of the world’s most famous cities; visit the wharf, drive down Lombard Street, spend $46 on parking, it’s all worth it. Well, some more than others. While San Francisco has always been forward thinking, it seems as if they’re playing catch up in the beer scene; but no matter! The breweries in San Francisco, while not as much as in San Diego, are just as delicious but distinctly…NorCal.
Anchor Brewing
Address: 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94158
Beers Worth Trying: Blackberry Daze IPA & Mango Wheat
Why We Loved It: If you want to take a walk down memory lane, head over to Anchor Brewing. Not only are they the oldest craft brewery in California, they’re the oldest craft brewery in America. Yup, you read that right. Started during the Gold Rush, Anchor has outlasted 2 World Wars, the Great Depression, and the rise and fall of prohibition. Their open air beer garden is located right next to world famous Pier 48; so close to the ocean that if you leave your beer out, the seagulls might get drunk!
Black Hammer Brewing
Address: 544 Bryant Street, San Fransisco, CA, 94107
Beers Worth Trying: Daft Funk Belgian Dubbel &
CocoAddict Stout – Imperial Chocolate Wheat
Why We Loved It: San Francisco is all about the hustle; they work hard, and play harder, and Black Hammer Brewing understands that. With a puppy friendly taproom, ability to bring in outside food, and ultrafast WiFi with outlets/ports at every seat, it’s the perfect place to grab a beer as you blog about your favorite vacation. Trust us, these guys aren’t exclusive; they showcase other breweries too so that you can find your favorite at this one stop shop.
Barebottle Brewing
Address: 1525 Cortland Avenue
San Francisco, CA, 94110
Beers Worth Trying: Chai-son Tea Saison & Honey Boo Boo Low Gluten Sparkling Ale
Why We Loved It: Last but not least, there’s Barebottle Brewery. These guys are amazing; they take beer to a whole different level. While they’re serious about the beer they brew, they’re bringing this ancient art of fermentation into the 21st century. By brewing with an inventive and daring attitude, they’re making beers that nobody else even dreams of, like their Chi-son (an oolong tea infused saison) or their Half Samurai (an ale brewed with fresh live rice). They may sound odd, but they taste delicious.
Well, there it is. 655 miles of unadulterated California coast. What more could you ask for? You’ve got great friends, great views, and, most importantly, great beer; it’s definitely something that you’ll remember (or not) for the rest of your life.
As you ride off into the sunset, make sure to soak it all in. California is special; you can talk to 10 different people and get 10 different favorite beers. So call in all your sick days and hit the road. After all, it’ s 5 o’clock somewhere, right?
Be sure to follow us on our social media and join the conversation with great people around great beers.