After a day of wine tasting, we ended up here, because nothing goes better with wine than beer.

It was drizzly and cold, and we ran inside the tasting room, which pretty much looked just like a regular bar, only smaller. We tried a few different beers, all of which were pretty good.

I liked the Captain Boomers IPA, which was hoppy and bitter, and really liked the Harvest Apple Ale, a combination of malted barley and a blend of juice from Apple Hill apples. Yum! It was fresh and light, well-balanced between sweet and tart. Unfortunately, it wasn't for sale by the bottle so I couldn't bring any home.

It's very low-key and relaxed. I definitely recommend a visit, but they lose one star because I had to go outside in the rain to get to their bathroom.

 

Husb and I took a random sunny-day drive on the 50 yesterday, and guess where we ended up?  But of course, a place that sells frosty cold adult beverages.  We tried a flight of tasters---a 2 oz. pour of everything they had on tap, about 10 or 12 beers.  I loved the "Best Bitters", which they sell in the bottle as "English Amber Ale" so the people that don't know about English beers aren't scared by the word "Bitters".  The Whitewater Pale Ale was also good, not too hoppy for me, because I am a wimp.  I also liked the Olde Ale.  I absolutely did not love the IPA and the Scottish Ale.  Ew.  They sell some of the beers by six-pack, and tap beers by the "Growler", a glass jug that is refillable ($18 new, $8 to refill).  Nice staff, cute place.  Picnic areas outside, but no food (well, peanuts)--so bring your own picnic.
Now the reason for the "minus" star:
Porta-Potty.  'Nuff said there.

 

Great beers in a wonderful setting. Lots of outdoor seating and friendly folks. Great for the whole family.  Bring the Children, they can run and play with other kids and just have a good time. Unfortunately you need to bring their food and drink, Jack Russell only caters to adults. They do have some Root Beer and Ginger beer.

You can bring your own food or have some of the catered food brought in by Keith's Sierra Smoker if he is there that evening. He is usually there most Friday nights.  Menu varies weekly, usually has a vegetarian option, just ask. Call to see if he will be there, they have a website but it pretty much is just for marketing the tchotchkes and not real informative.

Here is my rant and the reason they did not achieve top honors - My theory is to have one person do the work for many (Post the info) and they can come to view the calendar of food, events, etc. But their webmaster obviously doesn't have that mentality. Check out the calendar of events It is June 30 and there are events from May 11. No mention of the food, ever.  It is so easy to set up a calendar on Google and make it really useful to customers. Since there are no other options when you are out there, it is nice to know if there is food and what it is.

 

This is a great place to hang out in the sun with friends and drink good beer.  The Farmhouse Ale is awesome.

Only four stars from me, however, because the last time I was there, there were a bunch of booths set up near the parking lot in which people were selling fine goods like sweatshirts with airbrushed wolves, eagles, and Indian chiefs.  Get rid of the Apple Hill tourist trinkets and you'll get your 5th star back!

 

Really low key brewery among the vineyards and farms of the Apple Mountain area.  The only food you'll find here is emu jerky (I'm not kidding) in a small basket by the bar.  You really can't beat sitting outside on a warm, sunny afternoon drinking a few pints and looking out on the beautiful surroundings.  Bring a picnic lunch and wash it down with a cold one (or ten).    

All of their beers are crafted in the "English" style and really have great flavors.  Can't go wrong with any of the beers on their menu --- the Bitters and Irish Red stand out in my book.

Pints will run you $4 and they also offer the option of getting 1/2 pints as well as 2 oz "samplers".  There is a small indoor bar that has a great feel with dark wood paneling.

 

This is a brewery not a restaurant.  Every beer we tried was very nice.  The setting of this brewery is more like like a winery in the hills than a brewery but it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the neighborhood.  When temperature permits, there are tables outside to enjoy the day and a pint or two.