The NorCal setting continues to reign craftiness beer in California , and it seems like there are more special discharge this spring than ever before – with everyone from the nanos to the behemoths throwing their brews in the pack ( or , you know , cautiously place them on the table ) . These 12 local offering are special releases worth chasing down ASAP .

Carneros Brewing Company

Sangre de NaranjaSour , 6.0%SonomaThis brewery , owned by four brothers from Jalisco , Mexico , is not only brew in Sonoma County , but growing their own hops on situation . Their highly predict sour beers , let in a blood orangeness sour , are just about ready to be sipped ( they go into the barrel in September ) , so count for them in April at the brewery . raring ? You ’ll get some of their other beer at Hoi Polloi in Berkeley or Bi - Rite Market in SF right now .

Fort Point Beer Company

SquirrelIPA , 5.3%San FranciscoThis lighting and snappy Lemondrop- and Mosaic - hop brew is pouring fresh across SF . It can be hard to peck a FP beer ( their “ Wanderer ” may be the good DIPA on the mart properly now ) , so , you know , just try all of them – but be certain to enamor this limited spill while you could .

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Ovila Abbey AlesMixed pack of Belgian - elan ale ( 750ml ) , 7 - 9.2%ChicoThese collaboration ales are shipping now . This serial utilizes cherries , citrus , and sage , grow on the Abbey of New Clairaux ’s 600 - Accho grounds in Vina , CA . The price point is a little high , but remember , these are the magnanimous bottles .

Epidemic Ales

Red PlagueIrish Red , 5.0%ConcordEpidemic come to the East Bay track down last year by offering a number of popular beer powerful off the squash racquet . In the coming week , they will release Red Plague , a malty red ale with a teetotal finish . If you do n’t get out to Concord , there are a issue of space in the Bay Area pouring their stuff , including Diving Dog in Oakland and Golden Gate Tap Room in SF .

The Rare Barrel

No SaltSour , 5.7%BerkeleyIf you are n’t capture to Rare Barrel on a regular basis , you do n’t truly understand how good these guys are . The latest in their dark batting order is the No Salt , a golden sour that ’s been aged in tequila barrels . Sure , the name is a tongue - in - brass swordplay on the tequila , lime , and salt thing , but this sour beer is no joke delicious .

Pacific Coast Brewing Company

Luck of the IrishIrish stout , 4.2%OaklandIf this presently - to - be - liberate stout is anything like last class ’s pile ( it poured visible light enough to float ) , you could order a locally - brew sinister - and - tan that packs more flavor and pizzazz than the , hem , more often find adaptation of this confection . PCBC is Oakland ’s oldest brewery , settle in a cool downtown that ’s become a veritable hotbed of beer .

Cooperage Brewing Company

KegslayerIPA , 7.5%Santa RosaThe Kegslayer is the latest sack in Cooperage ’s rotating hop series . You have to chaffer the taproom for this gem , but it ’s well worth taking a road trip to Santa Rosa . Belly up to the 40 ft sequoia bar ( which the team here made themselves ) and give it a shot . Sour fans , take note : this husband / married woman duo will tap the barrels age in the back of the brewery for you .

Anchor Brewing Company

Go West ! IPAIPA , 6.7%San FranciscoSF powerhouse Anchor Brewing , which adjudge the differentiation of being America ’s first craft brewery , has just released the dry - hopped “ Go West ! ” IPA in bottle and cans . This smooth IPA is lighter on the record hop goal , but right in the IPA groove at 6.7 % . square beer from a constantly firm brewery .

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

Almanac Beer Company

Valencia GoldGolden ale , 8.5%San FranciscoThis seasonal ale captures the California spirit of brewing , as they integrate unused , local ingredients like Valencia orangeness and orange blossom honey ) . Almanac is earn their bull’s eye with incredible sours , but this fresh release helps round out their portfolio , and joins the rank of their other keen beer .

Fieldwork Brewing Co.

ElizaStout , 10.0%BerkeleyAt this item , it might sound a little unintelligent to say that Fieldwork has a particular vent come up , given that fairly much everyone thinks all their beers are super exceptional . Nonetheless , Eliza , a burnt umber imperial milk stout will be menstruate in the coming weeks , so watch for it .

Moonlight Brewing Company

FinFinnish Sahti style , 5.5%Santa RosaLegendary brewer Brian Hunt say that they are aging a new , unhopped beer as a nod to Finland , home of the Sahti expressive style . Expect nothing less from Moonlight , who used redwood from their farm alternatively of the traditional juniper branches to brew this latest peck .

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Seann Rooney is a solid food and beer enthusiast based in the Sacramento Delta . He has unionize , hosted , consult on , and compose about food and beer for almost two decades.@RooneySeann

sierra nevada beers

Courtesy of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Carneros Brewing Company

Seann Rooney/Thrillist

Ovila Abbey Ales

Courtesy of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

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The Rare Barrel

beer at cooperage brewing company

Courtesy of Cooperage Brewing Copany

half moon bay brewing company

Paul Kirchner

fieldwork brewing co beer

Courtesy of Fieldwork Brewing Co.