Help us celebrate the release (finally) of the CRAFT BEERDS book and help us kick off SF BEERd WEEK:
Look for other events with 21st Amendment, Lagunitas and more here »
Check out the rad poster they made for the occasion… See the rest »
Sure, this killer quote from the book is actually referring to when the Bay Area became “beer country”, it’s even more appropriate for tomorrow’s event—the long-awaited release party for the Northern California Craft Beer Guide book by Ken Weaver and Anneliese Schmidt, happening at See the rest »
Petaluma, home to Lagunitas Brewing Company, Dempsey’s, Petaluma Hills and Divine Brewing, was once known as the Egg Basket of the World. It’s latest notable addition, HenHouse Brewing Company, is paying homage to the town’s history and aesthetic with small-batch craft beers and eggcentric branding.
Check out what the taps are made from…
The taps are carved from See the rest »
This just might be the last bottle of Sam Adams Utopias in the Yay Area (minus, perhaps, some über-rich beer geek’s cellar). It’s currently waiting at Wilibees Liquors in Petaluma for its bout in Saturday night’s UFC Ultimate Flight Challenge at TAPS.
You’ve got one chance to taste Utopias alongside heavyweights like Speakeasy‘s Brewer’s Reserve Old Godfather (14%) and Firestone‘s Saucerful of Secrets (12%). Call for tickets now or you may miss it …
Good beer, cool handmade holiday gifts, an Elvis elf, and a benefit for the homelss. How’s this for one-stop holiday shopping? The Holiday Crafterino:
Get all the details at Downtown Petaluma Craft Mart. And check out Elfis’ site.
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Hot on the heels of news that Anchor has been sold to a Novato company, they’ve announced their first new seasonal in 5 years: Humming Ale.
Here’s the question: Why did Anchor make this announcement?
A) The oh-so-rare Nelson Sauvin hops in Humming Ale are oh-so-good.
B) They’re trying to squelch the usual big-company-buys-microbrewery-and-microbrewery-stops-putting-out-interesting-small-batch-beer expectations.
I’m guessing a little from column A, a little from column B. Either way, I’m excited. I was lucky enough to try Humming at TAPS Petaluma last November. It’s a wonderfully light, sessionable beer. But not “new” by any means. Just “new to bottles”.
Full story and video at BeerNews »
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Beer: Deep Fried Bacon Dog and Anchor Humming Ale at TAPS Petaluma
What a way to kick off the last weekend of SF Beer Week. Belly dancers, snake charmers, and crazy accordions. Plus a slew of Lagunitas brews and the perfect food pairings for each. It’s all happening this Friday in the cool old back hall of TAPS Petaluma. All for only $10! You know this is going to be a serious party (Exhibit A: Beer Circus) so don’t sleep.
UPDATE: CONFIRMED
The Golden Mean Snail Car and Boiler Bar Performers will be headlining!
See directions to TAPS »
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Drink: New Craft Beer Bar Opens In Downtown Petaluma, TAPS
Had a Dude’s Day with my boys this weekend. Wrestling (no, not on TV). Video games (yes, on tv). Playing at the park. Then wrapped it up with some baconized dogs and football at Petaluma’s new craft beer bar, Taps. Highly recommended (all of the above).
Anchor Humming Ale
How rad is Taps? They’re the first bar I’ve seen to get a hold of this draught-only special release, Humming Ale. Brewed to commemorate Anchor Brewing’s move to their present facilities in 1979, a former coffee roastery on Potrero Hill, where they’ve been “humming” ever since.
It’s a crisp Pale Ale that tastes a lot like a toned-down Anchor Steam. The smoothness comes from the addition of a rare hop variety, Nelson Sauvin. More on Humming Ale here.
Deep-Fried Bacon Dog
On the menu at Taps is a BLT Dog: Deep-fried bacon wrapped dog with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. But for me, the lettuce and tomatoes just get in the way. So I got it smothered in pepper jack cheese instead. Yes.
(Cross section of bacon-wrapped, cheese-smothered amazingness.)
3” Mini Kiddie Dogs
Nice that they have menu options for the little guys. These dogs were the perfect size for my 3 and 6 yr olds.
Hit up Taps soon, not sure how long the Humming will last!
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Drink: New Craft Beer Bar Opens In Downtown Petaluma, TAPS
TAPS in Petaluma opened this weekend and we stopped in to check things out. Technically in “soft opening” phase, the place is looking terrific. Between TAPS, the Lagunitas TapRoom & Beer Sanctuary, and Dempsey’s Brewpub, Petaluma’s become quite the destination for beer geeks. I couldn’t be happier.
This new destination is a group effort from Eric Lafanchi (pictured), his brother, and Eric’s wife Wendy (not only co-owner, but also the driven, determined, secret-ingredient to Taps’ existence). Together they’ve culled a tasty tap and bottle selection for both Geeks and regular Peeps alike, thanks to some expert input by Mario the Brewsario behind Brewed For Thought. And since they happily offer samples of anything tapped it’s a great place to experiment or just knock back a few. Wash it all down with fries and $4 sausages & dogs, and you’re all good.
First up was this amazingly creamy ‘n biscuity Tripel Karmeliet from Bosteels, in respective glass and coaster no less. Most of their beers are served in corresponding glassware. All others get the curvy, English-style pints, thankfully not the flat shaker pints (which really just bore me). Details, folks.
On top of about 30 taps and over a dozen bottles, they’ve got six flatscreens. Count ‘em, six. All will be fired up for the big game(s).
The guys have been unearthing artifacts hidden in the basement of 1923 landmark Hotel Petaluma. Shown here, a vintage flyer for the Steamer Gold paddle wheel. You could ferry from the wharf at Washington & Jackson in SF all the way up to Lakeville landing in Petaluma for 50 cents. My bus ride costs $8.50. Each way.
Get a load of that Umlaut! That’s a bomber of Valley Brewing Überhoppy next to Lagunitas Hop Stoopid.
TAPS is located around the side of Hotel Petaluma. Go say hi to the Lafranchi Brothers and find your new favorite beer from Lagunitas, Bear Republic, Dogfish Head, Anderson Valley, Stone, Mad River, Marin Brewing Co, Moylan’s, North Coast, Moonlight, Firestone, Anchor, New Belgium, Avery, Koningshoeven, Abita, Moortgat, Ommegang, and more.
TAPS Petaluma
205 Kentucky Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
707.763.6700
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Deep Fried Bacon Dog and Anchor Humming Ale at TAPS Petaluma
Lagunitas TapRoom & Beer Sanctuary Now Open
Snapped these pics back in February while at the Beer Circus. They’re super-special versions of my favorite from Lagunitas’ now defunct Frank Zappa Series, Ruben and The Jets.
According to Brewed For Thought, two versions should be hitting the TapRoom and select drafts in the coming weeks:
Bourbon Barrel-Aged Ruben and The Jets
Ruben and The Bretts
(barrel-aged, dosed with brett and cherries)
Read more at Brewed For Thought.
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