dog friendly

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – Livermore

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I love good beer. I also love enjoying good beer with my wife and dog. I therefore really love doing both together. Unfortunately, that is not always possible (unless done at home). Hence, the following series.

I cannot profess to know every single dog friendly brewery in the state, but I do believe I have a pretty good grip of the best ones in a few different areas, namely SF, the Bay Area and north, and the Central Coast. This series will pass along my knowledge on this ever so important topic.

Some of the prior articles in these series are here:

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – San Francisco Part 2

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – North SF Bay Area

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – San Francisco

This blog looks at some dog friendly breweries in Livermore.

Livermore has recently gained popularity for its vineyards, however do not sleep on the breweries in town.

Altamont Beer Works

I have had many of Altamont’s beers, but until this weekend, had not actually visited the brewery.  Their recent collaboration with Cellarmaker for the Dank of America DIPA was reason enough for a trip.

Altamont is in (as expected) an industrial area off of Research Dr.  The tasting room is a bit on the small side and mostly standing room only.  It was pretty jammed when we were there, with several dogs.

Altamont is a hophead heaven.  Hella Hoppy is a solid brew, but the Dank of America is the best of their beers I have had.

Altamont has caught on to the crowler craze, which is a welcome sight (especially for us beer traders, way less risk of breakage).

No food, but apparently they have food trucks some nights. Still a must stop of the beer.

http://altamontbeerworks.com/

Working Man Brewing and Eight Bridges

Welp, I have not been to either of these, but understand they are both dog friendly.  Another trip to Livermore is needed to check these out.

The problem (if you want to call it that) with Livermore is the wineries.  It is very difficult for me to drag my lovely wife and pup out there and not visit some wineries.  For all the breweries I drag them along to, we have to make some winery trips.  So, only Altamont on this trip.

http://www.eightbridgesbrewing.com

http://www.workingmanbrewing.com

Other Stops!

Everytime I have been in Livermore I have eaten at the same spot, First Street Ale House. No real need to go anywhere else though, as they have great food and brews.

First Street has nearly 30 beers on tap.  Some are always on tap (Hella Hoppy, Sculpin, CL smoothies, Guinness), and then they have several more on rotation.  Last time they had some Knee Deep and Mission Brewing.  Typically at least 5 solid IPAs to dive into.

Food is standard pub fare but with a bit of variety and flare.  I always go for a Cajun burger, and am never disappointed.

Most importantly, they have a fairly large back patio which is very dog friendly!

 

http://www.firststreetalehouse.com

There are also countless wineries that are dog friendly.  Our favorite is Wente (the one in the hills, not closer to town).  Wife loves their wine and it is beautiful.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHsmKiAB3ej/?taken-by=californiaipa

All in all, Livermore makes for a great day trip WHEN it is not pushing three digits.  It was 82 today which was actually perfectly comfortable.  Will be heading back to try the other breweries in town.

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Dog Friendly Brewery Series – Santa Cruz Area

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I love good beer. I also love enjoying good beer with my wife and dog. I therefore really love doing both together. Unfortunately, that is not always possible (unless done at home). Hence, the following series.

I cannot profess to know every single dog friendly brewery in the state, but I do believe I have a pretty good grip of the best ones in a few different areas, namely SF, the Bay Area and north, and the Central Coast. This series will pass along my knowledge on this ever so important topic.

Some of the prior articles in these series are here:

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – San Francisco Part 2

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – North SF Bay Area

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – San Francisco

This blog looks at some dog friendly breweries in the Santa Cruz area.

Sante Adairius Rustic Ales (SARA)

SARA is making quite a name for itself and quickly become a beer nerd destination.  I was stoked to get down there last weekend, and even more stoked that i could bring the pooch.

SARA is in a somewhat industrial area in Capitola, close to the freeway and a few minutes from the beach.  SARA is definitely focused on making unique small batch brews.  Some of their more popular beers are Belgian style or farmhouse and saisons.  They do, however, typically have at least one IPA or a good pale ale.

The brewery is unsurprisingly a bit small, and apparently can get quite crowded.  However, we arrived right at noon when they were open so there seemed to be plenty of space available.

The staff/owners are very pro-dog and our Sara was welcomed with open arms.  We really enjoyed the beers, and purchase bottles of the special release they had that weekend (Quality of Life).  There is no food, but apparently they have BBQ out front many days or you can bring your own food.

Overall, a very cool place.  We went for the beer, but would go back just for the atmosphere.  Look forward to many future trips, the brews alone are a reason for us to make the 1.5 hour drive.

http://rusticales.com/

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing is organic brewery in the new(ish) and very cool Swift Street Courtyard.  The area has been transformed into a mostly winery haven, but as any reasonable human would do, we went to the one brewery.

I have been here a few years ago, but it was just as I remembered.  Decent beer, but fun atmosphere and very dog friendly.  Plenty of outdoor seats overlooking the courtyard.  You can order food from the cafe next door, and they have a few wine options as well.

I got the Giant DIPA, which looked juicy and a bit hazy.  It was a beautiful beer, although the taste did not match the looks.  No complaints though, I would certainly go back.

http://www.scmbrew.com/

New Bohemia Brewing Co. (NuBo) and Santa Cruz Ale Works

We have not been to either, but the rumor is they are both dog friendly.  We will make another visit and provide an update once we have visited….

http://www.nubobrew.com/

http://www.santacruzaleworks.com/

There are obviously plenty of beach options, but apparently the only one that is technically off-leash is Its Beach, right on West Cliff drive north of the lighthouse.  Small beach, decent waves coming in, but Sara was in heaven.

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We will certainly make another trip down to try out some more of the breweries in town, as the beer scene certainly is growing in the area.

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – Tahoe Part 2

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I love good beer. I also love enjoying good beer with my wife and dog. I therefore really love doing both together. Unfortunately, that is not always possible (unless done at home). Hence, the following series.

I cannot profess to know every single dog friendly brewery in the state, but I do believe I have a pretty good grip of the best ones in a few different areas, namely SF, the Bay Area and north, and the Central Coast. This series will pass along my knowledge on this ever so important topic.

Some of the prior articles in these series are here:

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – San Francisco Part 2

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – North SF Bay Area

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – San Francisco

This post is a continuation of a prior post, linked here: Dog Friendly Brewery Series – Tahoe and Auburn

The first blog dealt with North Lake Tahoe.  This post touches on the breweries in the South Lake Tahoe area.

Stateline Brewery

Stateline Brewery, is, as expected, right near Stateline.  Technically it is in California in Heavenly Village.  The brewery itself is basically in a huge basement.  It is a large space that can get pretty busy for dinner.  However, the best part of the brewery is probably the outside seating right on Highway 50.

The outdoor sitting was plentiful when we were there (Memorial Day Weekend at about 4 in the afternoon).  There were good happy hour deals, even on Saturday, for drink and apps.  Unfortunately, there is no lake view, but there is solid people watching.

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I had an Acclimator IPA, which was better than I remembered their beers being.  They also had a variety of beers from other breweries, which was nice to have as they only had a few of their own beers on tap when we were there.

The service when we sat outside was solid (when we went for dinner it was pretty slammed and the service was not as great).

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http://www.statelinebrewery.com/

Brewery at Lake Tahoe

The Brewery at Lake Tahoe is not as conveniently located as Stateline Brewery if you are staying in the more touristy area.  The Brewery is a little over a mile away from Stateline on Lake Tahoe Blvd on the California side.

The Brewery has a decent sized dog friendly area, albeit with no real views and not as great of people watching as you get at Stateline.

Beers are good, nothing too exciting but drinkable.

I have not eaten here yet, but plan to do so next trip up and will give an update.

http://www.brewerylaketahoe.com/

MacDuff’s Pub

Although clearly not a brewery, MacDuffs has one of the better beer selections in Tahoe and a large, comfortable dog friendly patio with a peak of a lake view.  The food is also better than average pub food, with great (and huge) burgers and fish and chips.

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It is a must hit when in Tahoe, and the owner, as evidenced by their glasses, is a dog lover (that is actually his dog on the glass).

http://macduffspub.com/

Dog Friendly Brewery Series – San Francisco Part 2

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Since posting the first in the SF Dog Friendly Brewery series, a few more dog friendly breweries have opened!  More work for California IPA, which is a good thing!

Harmonic Brewing

Harmonic opened up a few months ago less than a mile from us.  Hell yes.

Harmonic is deep in the Dogpatch, on 26th near Indiana. The space is industrial and open, with the brewing happening right in the open.  They do not have food, which in this instance, is a good thing, as that means the dogs are allowed!  Most times I have gone, a few other people have had dogs.

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There is a smaller bar top, and then a bunch of tables to sit at.

They allow outside food, so swinging by Long Bridge pizza beforehand is not a bad idea.

The beers are pretty good, and I am excited to see them grow and brew some more.  The cold-press stout was solid, IPA was good, and the wife has enjoyed a few of their sours.

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Generous pours on the flights, they oftentimes have live music and food trucks, and a TV with whatever game is on.  A great addition to the SF brew scene, especially since the pups can join.

http://harmonicbrewing.com/

Black Hammer

Black Hammer/Pac Labs beer has been around the City for a while, but I only recently was able to check the somewhat new brewery out.  Of course, I forgot my phone when I went, so no pics today.

Black Hammer is in SOMA, on Bryant near 3rd.  Very dog friendly and good atmosphere, especially on a quiet weekend day in SOMA.

Black Hammer brews some interesting and creative beers, with the Squid Ink IPA and Hibiscus Saison sticking out.  You can seemingly always find something unique and new here.

Like Harmonic, no food, so you can bring outside food in.  Simply another great spot to take the dog and have a few interesting beers.

http://blackhammerbrewing.com/

Fort Point at the Ferry Building

Fort Point recently opened up a “kiosk” tasting room outside of the Ferry Building.  The space is small, all outside, but a great addition.

The food options are limited (hot dogs, pretzels etc.), but you come here for the beer.  Fort Point is brewing solid, straightforward and well balanced beers.  Last visit, I had the Wanderer, a tropical and smooth DIPA, and the Park, a hoppy wheat.  I have enjoyed every one of their beers I have had.

Although it is small, they do growler fills (And have some really cool growlers at that).

The Ferry Building can obviously get crazy, so this is a spot I generally would only go to on a quieter day in the downtown area.

http://www.fortpointbeer.com/

Looking forward to the dog friendly brewery trend in SF to continue, as there appear to be at least 14 new breweries coming soon…