{"id":7037122,"date":"2026-08-10T22:20:44","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T22:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/beer\/the-ultimate-guide-to-sonoma-countys-beer-scene\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T22:20:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T22:20:44","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-sonoma-countys-beer-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7037122","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Sonoma County\u2019s Beer Scene"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Story by Tina Caputo, with John Beck, Sarah Doyle, Jennifer Graue, and Heather Irwin<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s early spring in Sonoma County, and for beer lovers that can only mean one thing: It\u2019s Pliny the Younger season<\/a>.<\/span> Between March 20 and April 2, Russian River Brewing Company expects to see 26,000 beer fanatics from around the world lining up outside its Santa Rosa and Windsor pubs for a 10-ounce pour of its world-famous triple IPA.<\/p>\n

The brew\u2019s annual release has become so significant to the region that the Sonoma County Economic Development Board creates a yearly estimate of the event\u2019s economic impact. In 2024, Pliny tourists spent more than $5 million within the county.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A
A freshly bottled Pliny the Younger at Russian River Brewing Company in Windsor, Monday, March 19, 2025. (Beth Schlanker \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, despite the continued success of Pliny the Younger, the once-booming craft beer industry has faced major challenges in recent years \u2014 starting with the pandemic.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During Covid lockdowns, packaged beer sales in retail stores across the country initially surged as people found themselves stuck at home with little to do. According to Chicago-based analyst NIQ, off-premise dollar sales were essentially flat for craft beer in 2019. Then, in 2020, sales spiked 14%.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor a while, people were drinking a lot, and they were using beer aisles like video stores,\u201d says Sayre Piotrkowski, the executive director of the Bay Area Brewers Guild and a former brand manager at HenHouse Brewing Company in Santa Rosa. \u201c[They thought,] \u2018This, at least, is some form of entertainment. It\u2019s something I can do.’\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But, he says, as the pandemic dragged on, people fell out of the habit of socializing and meeting up at breweries.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Natalie Cilurzo, co-owner and president at Russian River Brewing Co., says navigating the pandemic was the easy part \u2014 if you could manage the restrictions and get some government funding. Getting back to business as usual in the aftermath was another story.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Russian
Russian River Brewing Co. co-owner Natalie Cilurzo pulls a bottle of the 20th anniversary 2024 Pliny the Younger triple IPA from the line so she can photograph it for a social media announcement of the release in Windsor, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (John Burgess \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt was never going to be what it was before Covid,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd then the money [for brewery financing] dried up and we saw costs skyrocketing \u2014 the cost of people, cost of insurance, the cost of ingredients.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Piotrkowski points to additional headwinds, such as recent tariffs on imported brewing equipment and supplies, pressures on immigrant labor, a lack of disposable income among younger consumers, and market uncertainties.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBusiness needs predictability,\u201d he says, \u201cespecially a small business with narrow margins. That kind of volatility, the smaller you are, it affects you more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Some local brewers have called it quits in the last few years, including Seismic Brewing<\/a> and Woodfour Brewing<\/a> in Sebastopol. Others, such as Bear Republic in Rohnert Park and Third Street AleWorks in Santa Rosa, are still brewing, but they\u2019ve shuttered their taprooms.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the tough times, Cilurzo says she is optimistic. She views the difficulties of the last five years as right-sizing, and as a natural maturation of the sector.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt happens in every industry and it\u2019s OK,\u201d she says. \u201cYou have to have some hard times in order to make your business and yourselves stronger. Now you\u2019ve got to figure out a new way to move forward. I think it\u2019s a really important time, and I think it\u2019s really positive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam Bosch, co-founder of Parliament Brewing, agrees. He opened the Rohnert Park brewery with his father and brother in 2019<\/a>, just before the pandemic hit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brothers
Brothers Justin, left, and Adam Bosch are expanding their Parliament Brewing Company production facility area in Rohnert Park on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Christopher Chung \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cEverything in life is cyclical,\u201d he says. \u201cLook for the people that are making good beer, look for the people that are growing, look for the people that are giving good hospitality. Those people are going to be here in the long run.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As of early 2026, there are 20 beer producers operating in the region, down from 22 at the height of craft beer\u2019s heyday in 2015. This doesn\u2019t include beer bars or outposts for out-of-county producers such as Berkeley\u2019s Fieldwork Brewing Co., which opened a taproom in downtown Santa Rosa in November 2025<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, established breweries are growing and evolving.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the summer of 2024, Old Caz Beer opened a new, much-larger taproom<\/a> at SOMO Village in Rohnert Park. In contrast to the original warehouse location, hidden behind some auto shops, the SOMO spot was built for visitor friendliness. Along with a large front patio, the modern taproom features rotating food trucks and an in-house food menu.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Patrons
Patrons enjoy an afternoon on the patio at Old Caz Beer in Rohnert Park. (Eileen Roche)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Guests
Guests enjoy their drinks under a large painting at Cooperage Brewing Company in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (Christopher Chung \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cooperage Brewing Company also added a second location<\/a>, in downtown Santa Rosa, in late 2024. The new, larger taproom \u2014 decked out in vibrant murals and equipped with pinball machines and pool tables \u2014 also hosts a variety of food trucks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Parliament is now in the midst of a major construction project designed to add more cold storage, a larger cellar area, and expanded tank space. Eventually, the brewery plans to include more indoor and outdoor seating, additional bathrooms, and space for activities like cornhole.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d really like to make it a social hub for Sonoma County,\u201d Bosch says. \u201cPeople don\u2019t just buy your beer. It\u2019s the culture, the service, the ambiance, the atmosphere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In this new era of Sonoma County craft brewing, Piotrkowski says producers are taking a more intentional approach to hospitality, rather than treating their taprooms as an afterthought.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve seen even more emphasis on making sure the tasting room experience is sound and responding to the demands of the people who come in,\u201d he says. That includes welcoming both kids and dogs. \u201cEverybody\u2019s pivoting to catering to families.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Increasingly, Sonoma County brewers are leaning into the role of community gathering place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sonoma
Sonoma Springs Brewing Co. taproom in Sonoma. (Sonoma County Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sonoma Springs Brewing Co. in Sonoma organizes regular bingo nights to raise money for local nonprofits, while Old Possum Brewing Co. in Santa Rosa offers weekend pop-ups featuring birria and menudo. Cooperage hosts beer and yoga sessions, and annual events like the CoopMania Taco Festival and Lucha Libre wrestling.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re doing things that bring people together,\u201d says Herlinda Heras, co-host of the \u201cBrew Ha Ha\u201d podcast on Wine Country Radio and an international beer judge. That includes everything from hosting team trivia nights to throwing beer release parties and live music events.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brewers also foster community by stepping up in times of crisis, she adds, whether people are impacted by wildfires, floods, or injustice. \u201cThey\u2019re the first ones to do a fundraiser,\u201d says Heras, \u201cor to do a special beer for it or a collaboration. Beer people show up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Creating a \u201cwe\u2019re-all-in-this-together\u201d vibe can also be as simple as cultivating a friendly atmosphere for all comers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you go to Russian River Brewing any day of the week or the year, you\u2019ll see some regulars sitting at the bar or at a table,\u201d she says. \u201cThose regulars are absolutely happy to talk to somebody who\u2019s visiting, whether they\u2019re here for business or beer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Craig
Craig McDermott, left, and Pete Schrankel, both of New Hampshire, toast their first glass of Pliny the Younger at the bar at Russian River Brewing Company, in Santa Rosa on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. (Christopher Chung \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Server
Server Cerra Modar carries a tray of Russian River Brewing Co. 20th anniversary Pliny the Younger triple IPA for guest on the first day of the limited release at the brewpub in Santa Rosa, Friday, March 22, 2024. (John Burgess \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cilurzo credits the brewery\u2019s laser focus on customer service with attracting and retaining those regulars. Though wholesale distribution accounts for the majority of sales, she says, the retail side of the business is the top priority.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI firmly believe that our attention to detail and our hypervigilance on hospitality is what keeps people coming back,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause it could be a one-time deal. Like, \u2018OK, I stood in line for six hours in the rain, I had my three beers, I bought my three bottles, I had some good food, check that off the list.\u2019 We don\u2019t want that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For Old Caz, maintaining a welcoming space means taking time to get to know each customer and making sure the brewery feels like a place of belonging.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody who walks in here, I know all these people on a first-name basis,\u201d says general manager Rob Saccuzzo. \u201cI know whose kid is graduating this year from Rancho Cotate High School down the street, I know who just started a new job. These are relationships that not just I, but my whole bartending staff, have cultivated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"At
At Old Caz Beer in Rohnert Park. (Old Caz Beer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And when you make people feel at home, he adds, they want to come in and celebrate the best points in their lives, as well as commiserating about their low points. \u201cI think that our biggest success has been the way we\u2019ve been accepted by the community.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sonoma County brewers also keep people coming back with rotating lineups of top-notch beer.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Russian River Brewing is dedicated to the core beer lineup that put them on the map, Cilurzo says, but they also like to keep things interesting. Each of the brewery\u2019s locations offers around 22 beers on draft, including limited releases. Earlier this year, Russian River introduced Russian River 100, its first hoppy West Coast Pilsner.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Parliament, the Bosch family takes a \u201csomething for everyone\u201d approach, maintaining a diverse lineup of brews from IPAs to fruit-infused sours. For those who aren\u2019t beer fans or want gluten-free options, the brewery also makes hard seltzers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to always keep innovating, and you always have to listen to your clientele as well as the changes in the market,\u201d says Bosch. \u201cThere were a lot of people that didn\u2019t want to make hazy IPAs out here on the West Coast, but I can tell you our number one selling beer is Kaleidoscope and it\u2019s a hazy IPA.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Parliament
Parliament Brewing Company Pils, left, Kaleidoscope, and Brown Chicken Brown Cow beers in Rohnert Park on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Christopher Chung \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Piotrkowski says the ever-increasing quality of Sonoma County craft beer is fueled by community support. Old Caz made perfectly good brews when the producer first started out, he says, but now it\u2019s winning national and international awards.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause their community supported them, they got better funded so they could buy better ingredients and they could refine their processes,\u201d Piotrkowski says. \u201cSo now this thing you supported because it was your friends and your community is offering you some of the best West Coast IPA in the world and award-winning Mexican lager.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause Sonoma County beer lovers have been savvy enough to support local,\u201d he says, \u201cthey\u2019ve got a really healthy, really high-quality set of local breweries delivering for them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sonoma County\u2019s Breweries<\/h4>\n

Barrel Brothers Brewing <\/b>9238 Old Redwood Hwy., <\/span><\/i>Suite 128, Windsor. <\/span><\/i>barrelbrothersbrewing.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Cooperage Brewing Co. <\/b>981 Airway Court, Suite G, Santa <\/span><\/i>Rosa. 575 Ross St., Santa Rosa. <\/span><\/i>cooperagebrewing.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Crooked Goat<\/b> 110 Howard St., Petaluma. crookedgoatbrewing.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Cuver Belgian Brewers<\/b> 7<\/span>704 Bell Road, Windsor. cuverbrewing.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Fogbelt<\/b> 1305 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa. <\/span><\/i>Fogbelt Station<\/strong><\/span> 410 Hudson St., Healdsburg. fogbeltbrewing.com<\/a><\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

HenHouse Brewing<\/b> Company <\/b>322 Bellevue Ave., Santa Rosa.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>HenHouse Palace of Barrels <\/b>1333 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. <\/span><\/i>henhousebrewing.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Iron Ox <\/b>3334 Industrial Drive, <\/span><\/i>Santa Rosa. ironoxbeer.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Lagunitas Brewing Co. <\/b>1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. lagunitas.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Moonlight Brewing Co.<\/b> 3350 Coffey Lane, Suites A & D, Santa Rosa. moonlightbrewing.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Old Caz Beer<\/b> Somo Village, <\/span><\/i>1500 Valley House Drive, Suite 110, Rohnert Park. oldcaz.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Old Possum <\/b>357 Sutton Place, <\/span><\/i>Santa Rosa. oldpossumbrewing.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Parliament Brewing Company<\/b> 5865 Labath Ave., Unit 9, Rohnert Park. parliamentbrewing.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Russian River Brewing Co. <\/b>725 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. <\/span><\/i>700 Mitchell Lane, Windsor. <\/span><\/i>russianriverbrewing.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Shady Oak<\/b> 420 First St., Santa Rosa. shadyoakbrewing.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Sonoma Springs Brewing Co. <\/b>19449 Riverside Drive, Suite 101, Sonoma. sonomaspringsbrewing.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Stumptown<\/b> 15045 River Road, Guerneville. stumptown.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Wolf House Brewing <\/b>131 E. First St., Cloverdale. <\/span><\/i>wolfhousebrewing.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Taprooms with\u00a0<\/span>out-of-county\u00a0<\/span>brewing facilities<\/span><\/h5>\n

Fieldwork Brewing Co. <\/b>2400 Midway Drive, Santa Rosa. <\/span><\/i>fieldworkbrewing.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Still brewing <\/span>but no taproom<\/span><\/h5>\n

Third Street Aleworks <\/b>drink03st.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Bear Republic <\/b>bearrepublic.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Patrons
Patrons enjoy an afternoon on the patio at Old Caz Beer in Rohnert Park. (Eileen Roche)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Great food with your brew<\/h2>\n

In 2020, brothers Omar and Ivan Galvan took a gamble on a red taco truck. Five years later, they were running three trucks \u2014 and in early 2026 opened their first brick-and-mortar taproom and beer garden<\/a> in Cotati.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re hardly alone. Food trucks and pop-ups that built loyal followings at brewery patios \u2014 fueled by Instagram and repeat customers \u2014 are increasingly using that momentum to make the leap. The pandemic accelerated the trend: Sonoma County rules required breweries to serve sit-down meals to pour beer, and without kitchens, many turned to trucks. Almost overnight, tasting rooms became casual, family-friendly gathering spots with tacos, picnic tables, kids, and dogs.<\/p>\n

For fledgling food businesses, that built-in audience has become a workaround to the soaring cost of opening a restaurant, which can easily top $1 million in Sonoma County.<\/p>\n

The Shokakko food truck<\/a> made such a splash at early pop-ups at OP Comics & Games, breweries had to get in on the action. In late 2025, it landed a tiny Santa Rosa catering site serving its towering fried chicken sandwiches and pork katsu fries for pickup or patio hangs. Wooden Petal Pretzels followed a similar brewery-to-brick path, as did Austin\u2019s BBQ (now A&M BBQ<\/a>), which started in the kitchen of Old Possum Brewing.<\/p>\n

\"A
A selection of food from pop-up vendors at Old Caz Beer in Rohnert Park. Clockwise from top left, Mamadios\u2019 Italian roast pork sandwich; burgers and fries from The Spot food truck; Hawaiian plate lunch from The Poke Truck; Philly cheesesteak from Mamadios; tacos from Galvan\u2019s; fried chicken sandwich, fried soft shell crab sandwich, Spam musubi and waffle fries from Shokakko. (Eileen Roche)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now, attention is turning to the next wave. Fans are watching \u2014 and hoping \u2014 that pizza phenoms Gabacool Provisions, Mamadios, with its authentic Philly cheesesteaks, and Bayou on the Bay will make the jump from the brewery circuit into permanent digs.<\/p>\n

For breweries with in-house kitchens, these are our picks for dishes that are even better when washed down with a cold one.<\/p>\n

Barrel Brothers Kitchen:<\/strong> A mind-blowing 39 taps let you mix and match brews with your food mood, like Dad Pants Pilsner with your double-patty smashburger or Hazy with your tater tot nachos.<\/p>\n

Russian River Brewing Co.:<\/strong> If you can push through the Pliny devotees and score a seat, order like a regular: pepperoni and cheese New Yorker pizza, Pliny pizza bites with white cheddar and jalapeno, and garlic bread \u2014 because carbs. In Windsor, there\u2019s more room to hang and eat pulled pork sliders, fish tacos, or an ice cream sundae with porter-infused dark chocolate sauce.<\/p>\n

\"Cloverdale
Cloverdale Twinkies from Wolf House Brewing Friday, March 28, 2025 in Cloverdale. (John Burgess \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The
The FaceMelter Chicken Sando with housemade hot sauce, pepper jack and pickled jalape\u00f1os from Wolf House Brewing Friday, March 28, 2025 in Cloverdale. (John Burgess \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wolf House Brewing:<\/strong> The Cloverdale Twinkie dares you to eat it. This bacon-wrapped, beer-battered, and deep-fried jalapeno stuffed with cream cheese and avocado is Wolf House\u2019s signature app. The rest of the menu is equally audacious, with gut-busting burgers and the mouth-sizzling FaceMelter fried chicken sandwich.<\/p>\n

Lagunitas Brewing Company Taproom:<\/strong> Lagunitas\u2019 back-patio Beer Sanctuary flies just under the radar, drawing mostly locals sipping new releases with dogs and kids in tow. Go for brewhouse nachos with IPA beer cheese, smoked wings, or the messy-delicious burger that holds its own against their hoppy West Coast IPAs.<\/p>\n

Stumptown Brewery:<\/strong> A lazy afternoon of burgers, cheese fries, and barbecue along the Russian River is about as good as summer in Sonoma County gets.<\/p>\n

Fogbelt Brewery and Fogbelt Station:<\/strong> Don\u2019t overthink it, you\u2019re here for elote nachos, quesabirria tacos, smothered cheese fries, and pork belly bao sliders. And the beer. In Healdsburg, swap the tacos for a slice of deep-dish Detroit-style pizza. And don\u2019t miss the monthly food and beer pairing at the Santa Rosa location featuring four beer tasters with a selection of bites. Recent pairings included lasagna, bacon, and an international array of sliders.<\/p>\n

\"Fieldwork
Fieldwork Brewing Company\u2019s line of NA beers are flying off the shelves. (Mo Alcaraz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The best beer alternatives for dry spells<\/h2>\n

Nonalcoholic beer has come a long way since Prohibition, when breweries like Anheuser-Busch, Miller, and Pabst were forced to produce \u201cnear beer,\u201d an insipid malt beverage with most of its alcohol removed.<\/p>\n

In contrast, many modern nonalcoholic beers are clean and crisp, with a kaleidoscope of hop aromas and flavors that work hard to convince your senses you\u2019re drinking the real thing.<\/p>\n

Brewers do this a number of ways, using vacuum distillation, reverse osmosis, or a spinning cone to remove alcohol, while boosting mouthfeel (which typically comes from alcohol) with additives like protein and dextrin, and reintroducing aroma through cold dry-hopping.<\/p>\n

While this may sound complicated, many nonalcoholic beers are simply
crushable.<\/p>\n

Hop water, a sparkling, zero-calorie beverage that capitalizes on hops\u2019 bright citrus notes, is another NA alternative.<\/p>\n

Here are some of our favorites:<\/p>\n

Fieldwork Brewing:<\/strong> The Berkeley-based brewery opened its first Sonoma County location last year in Santa Rosa\u2019s Montgomery Village. CEO Barry Braden\u2019s mantra is to \u201coffer something for everyone,\u201d including NA beers, which have been flying off the shelves. Choose from Encore NA Hazy IPA, Headliner NA West Coast IPA, Day Money NA Grapefruit Blonde, and Light NA American Pils.<\/p>\n

\"Barrel
Barrel Brothers Brewing in Windsor producers a non-alcoholic version of its popular Dad Pants Pilsner. (Barrel Brothers Brewing Co.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Barrel Brothers Brewing Co.:<\/strong> This Windsor brewery compares its NA Dad Pants Pilsner to \u201ca trusty pair of go-to trousers.\u201d<\/p>\n

HenHouse Brewing\/Fort Point Beer Company: <\/strong>Fort Point Beer Company recently introduced two NA beers, produced and poured at its sister brand, HenHouse Brewing. Citrusy and floral, NA Villager is a San Francisco-style IPA, while the NA KSA K\u00f6lsch is light and complex with a bright, flavorful finish.<\/p>\n

Lagunitas:<\/strong> The IPNA is a nonalcoholic version of this Petaluma brewery\u2019s popular IPA, with slightly herbal, bright citrus notes and less than 0.5% alcohol by volume.<\/p>\n

Cooperage Brewing Co.:<\/strong> Terp\u00e9 hop water is a highly carbonated, nonalcoholic tonic infused with hop oils. Says Cooperage\u2019s owner, Tyler Smith: \u201cIt\u2019s crisp, refreshing, and instantly invites another sip.\u201d<\/p>\n

Old Caz Beer:<\/strong> Creek Water is a nonalcoholic sparkler with bright citrus notes from hop extract. Not into hops? Try Old Caz\u2019s ultra-smooth nitro cold brew coffee with notes of hazelnut and vanilla.<\/p>\n

Russian River Brewing Co.: <\/strong>The simply named Hop Water is ultra-light and refreshing. \u201cA lot of hop waters have sweetener, which I don\u2019t like,\u201d says Natalie Cilurzo, co-owner of Russian River Brewing Co. \u201cOurs is just water and hops.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Old
Old Caz Beer in Rohnert Park produces a variety of seltzers to appeal to non-beer drinkers. (Eileen Roche)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Brewers freshen up with hard seltzers<\/h2>\n

We get it: Not everyone loves beer. But that doesn\u2019t mean you have to miss out on the fun at local breweries. Alongside their traditional offerings, many Sonoma County brewers craft their own hard seltzers.<\/p>\n

While sales of mass-produced brands have been declining for the last few years, artisan seltzers haven\u2019t lost their sparkle.<\/p>\n

Justin Bosch, head brewer at Parliament Brewing in Rohnert Park, says he started making them two years ago in response to customer demand. At first, he wasn\u2019t quite sure what he was doing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe challenge was to learn and master an entire new beverage from scratch,\u201d he says. \u201cWe did a lot of trials, and, as always with a completely new thing, we dumped a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

To create the seltzers, Bosch starts with a neutral alcohol base, which is filtered and carbonated. Then, he adds natural flavors like Cara Cara orange and cantaloupe.<\/p>\n

Although seltzer isn\u2019t his drink of choice, Bosch says he enjoys making them. \u201cIt\u2019s a fun change-up from the process of creating beer, and it keeps us sharp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like Parliament, Old Caz Beer added a lineup of seltzers as a way to welcome people who don\u2019t drink beer.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur slogan is \u2018Everyone\u2019s Invited,\u2019\u201d says general manager Rob Saccuzzo. \u201cIt\u2019s just about reinforcing the fact that we care about what people want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their top-selling seltzer is the bright red Surly Temple.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe like to give people options,\u201d Saccuzzo says, \u201cand have fun doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three to Try<\/h5>\n

Parliament Brewing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cara Cara Passionfruit \/ 4.6% ABV <\/em><\/p>\n

Parliament likes its seltzers on the dry and crisp side, and this one delivers. Its subtle flavors of real orange and passionfruit might just win over die-hard beer fans to the seltzer camp.<\/p>\n

Crooked Goat Brewing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Office Party Cranberry Pomegranate \/ 5% Abv<\/em><\/p>\n

Fresh and fruity with a touch of tartness, this one is tasty-but-sneaky. Packing lots of pomegranate and cranberry flavor, the seltzer\u2019s alcohol profile is so under-the-radar you might mistake this for an NA version.<\/p>\n

Old Caz Beer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cosmo Imperial Hard Seltzer \/ 8% ABV<\/em><\/p>\n

The brewery unapologetically crafts its seltzers on the sweeter side\u2014and with beer-like alcohol levels. The Cosmo gets its name from the famous cocktail, and its pink color and orange flavor fit the profile.<\/p>\n

\"The
The \u201cClash of the Cuisines\u201d competition at Old Caz Beer in Rohnert Park. (Sonoma County Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upcoming events brewing in the beer scene<\/h2>\n

Breweries are pros at crafting signature events that are always worth pulling up for.<\/p>\n

Pliny the Younger Release<\/h5>\n

Russian River Brewing Co.<\/strong> \u2014 March 20-April 2 <\/em><\/p>\n

The pavement party (aka standing in line!) is part of the experience and a Sonoma County rite of passage.<\/p>\n

3rd Annual Cheesesteak Day<\/h5>\n

Parliament Brewing Co.<\/strong> \u2014\u00a0March 21, noon to 8 p.m. <\/em><\/p>\n

Anyone who has ever asked where to find an authentic Philly cheesesteak in Sonoma County should be here, otherwise they\u2019re not even trying.<\/p>\n

CoopMania<\/h5>\n

Cooperage Brewing Co. (Airway location)<\/strong> \u2014\u00a0May 2, noon to 10 p.m. <\/em><\/p>\n

A daylong taco fest with a side of Lucha Libre wrestling is the best way to get the Cinco de Mayo party started.<\/p>\n

Live at Lagunitas<\/h5>\n

Lagunitas Petaluma Taproom \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>Summer <\/em><\/p>\n

The Lagunitas lawn is the place to be for this concert series that brings in big names, like indie pop band Japanese Breakfast that played a free show to a capacity crowd last year.<\/p>\n

\"The
The amphitheater at Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma. (Alvin Jornada \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Clash of the Cuisines<\/h5>\n

Old Caz<\/strong> \u2014\u00a0June 20 <\/em><\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s inaugural event was a blowout, pitting top food vendors in a culinary competition with a catch: Make whatever you want, as long as it\u2019s never been on your menu before. The crowd, quite literally, ate it up.<\/p>\n

Stumptown Beer Revival BBQ Cook-Off<\/h5>\n

Stumptown Brewery \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>August <\/em><\/p>\n

Arguably the longest-running brewery event in the county brings together more than two dozen breweries and a barbecue competition. What could be better?<\/p>\n

\"Cooperage
Cooperage Brewing Company art director and head of design Nicky London with the numerous beer cans featuring his artwork in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (Christopher Chung \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The locals making a splash in the beer scene<\/h2>\n

A beer-can artist taps visual flair<\/h4>\n

Walking past the beer aisle in the grocery store is tough for Nicky London.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always twist the cans so the labels show,\u201d he says. \u201cI do it for all the brands that I\u2019ve worked with.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the most sought-after beer-can artists in Sonoma County, London says he\u2019s simply solving a problem for breweries in a crowded market by helping them stand out.<\/p>\n

As art director and head of design at Cooperage, he\u2019s created more than 100 labels for the Santa Rosa brewery. He also plies his trade as a freelance artist, painting cans for Fogbelt, Moonlight, and Marin County-based Pond Farm breweries.<\/p>\n

\"Some
Some of the beer cans featuring the artwork of Cooperage Brewing Company art director and head of design Nicky London in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (Christopher Chung \/ The Press Democrat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In an age of eye-popping wraparound labels hyping a constant rotation of varieties, London taps into his own unique visual flair \u2014 sometimes trippy and cartoonish, other times macabre with dark, painterly brush strokes \u2014 often playing with pop cultural references.<\/p>\n

For a \u201cClear and Loathing\u201d beer, a play on a Hunter S. Thompson classic, he hid Easter eggs like flying stingrays and a creepy hitchhiker deep in the label.<\/p>\n

Having worked in both the restaurant and wine industries, he loves the communal vibe of the beer business. \u201cIf you\u2019re not buying my beer on the shelf and you\u2019re buying somebody else\u2019s, it\u2019s still a win for beer. I don\u2019t take those types of things personally. I\u2019m like, hell yeah, people are still out there looking for fun stuff \u2014 and that gives you the drive to create the next fun thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Favorite Beers:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adobe Creek <\/b>140 Second St., Suite 112, Petaluma. adobecreekbrewing.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n