With hundreds of craft breweries across the state of California, it’s no surprise that Sacramento, the state’s capital, has its own artisanal beer scene, including the annual Sacramento Beer Week festival. Porchlight Brewing Company and Oak Park Brewing Co. both draw a young crowd from nearby California State University, Sacramento. At Track Seven Brewing Company, try a Nukin’Futz Imperial Peanut Butter Chocolate Cream Porter, or, if that sounds a little too ambitious, a Bee Line Honey Blonde Ale; Track Seven is also known as a hub for food trucks, often parked on the street out front. At New Helvetia Brewing Company, try the multiple-award-wining Homeland Stout. Finally, head northeast of Sacramento to the town of Folsom and Red Bus Brewing Company, a self-proclaimed “open-book” brewery; it allows anyone access to the brewery’s recipes.
Just 15 miles south of Sacramento is the city of Elk Grove, which was founded as a stop on the stagecoach route between the capital city and San Francisco. Dust Bowl Brewing (which won Brewery of the Year accolades at the prestigious California State Fair Commercial Craft Beer Competition in 2022), Flatland Brewing Co., and Waterman Brewing Company are just a few of the spots that keep locals and present-day visitors alike quenched.
Head to Nevada County next, where craft beer is also on the rise. Try Three Forks Bakery and Brewing in Nevada City, where you can pair your Dynamite Double IPA with a thin-crust sourdough pizza or a slice of gluten-free Insouciance Cake. Also in Nevada City is Jernigan’s Taphouse and Grill, where you can choose a libation from 12 taps to sip on while watching a game on one of their big-screen TVs. Four miles down the road, in Grass Valley, Thirsty Barrel Taphouse and Grille offers more than two dozen varieties of its house-made brews.