It’s Spring, and the Easter Bunny has hopped in and out of Sonoma for the year. Now it’s time for you to try some hops of a different kind – and visit one of our great beer gardens. Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, let us show you where the great beers iz.
Brewsters Beer Garden, Petaluma: With over 20 mostly-local beers on tap and a list of cocktails and food to boot, Brewsters is a great place to relax in the warm Spring air. If you’re missing live music (how could you not be?) check their online calendar for a list of musicians performing Thursday through Sunday.
Hopmonk Tavern, Sebastopol, Sonoma and Penngrove: With 3 locations (2 Hopmonk and 1 Twin Oaks) around Sonoma County there are plenty of choices to keep you satisfied. Each Hopmonk features live music, full kitchens and (most importantly) taps full of rotating draft beers. Also, their brunch is back, so you don’t have to endanger yourself with homemade Hollandaise anymore! Benedict! Benedict!
Jaded Toad BBQ & Grill, Cotati: If 36 beers on tap aren’t enough, there is some truly great BBQ and Hawaiian food on the menu. If Jaded Toad’s patio isn’t your thing, don’t fret, as there are options for carry out, delivery and curbside pickup.
Shady Oak Barrel House, Santa Rosa: Near the core of Santa Rosa you can enjoy Shady Oak’s unique IPAs, barrel aged and sour beers Thursday through Sunday. Live music, trivia and comedy nights will return as soon as possible.
The Wurst, Healdsburg: Best known for their delicious sausages and burgers, The Wurst carries a very respectable list of local craft brews. They’re first come first serve, so be sure to get there early or carry it out and enjoy your food to Healdsburg Square across the street.
The Block, Petaluma: In the heart of downtown Petaluma, the Block not only offers 30 beers on tap, cocktails, and wine but also your choice of rotating food trucks. Check out their calendar to confirm which food trucks will be on site.
Flagship Taproom, Cotati and Santa Rosa: 2 convenient locations in Sonoma County double your chances of drinking a great brew with some tasty bites. Can’t stay in the Taproom? Fill up a growler or grab some bottles or cans from the full fridge.
Taps, Petaluma: Is there anything better than live music with a refreshing beer along the river? Check out Taps’ ever-changing list of beers and wonderful bites on their patio or take away a growler.
Beer gardens are wonderful, and they’re coming out of hibernation with the rest of us. They’re outdoors, so they’re a good pandemic activity, and I swear that you can feel your soul coming back to life after a couple of hours in the sun with a great beer (or three). We’re lucky to have such a collection in Sonoma. Go check one out – and drink a local beer while you’re at it. You’ll be supporting two Sonoma businesses at once.
