Beer in Napa Valley??
Recently, we had friends visiting, and I was well aware that one of them appreciated wine while her husband enjoyed beer. One would think this is a challenge in one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. Interestingly, the expanse of libations includes those made with hops and barley. Wine drinkers are not alone in their quest for aromas and taste. Beer itself has taken a big step forward in that same arena. I did my research to share some great stops with them.
Our first stop was St. Clair Brown, located on Vallejo Street in downtown Napa. It is housed in a cute building which is structured like a greenhouse, and they serve their offerings in a very sweet garden setting. What makes this location really special is that they not only make beer, they make wine. Elaine St. Clair is the winemaker and brewmaster, studying both at UC Davis. This enterprise with her friend and business partner, Laina Brown, started in 2010, when they founded Napa’s first boutique urban winery, nano-brewery and culinary gardens. This is the perfect stop for those who want to try both wine and beer.
The beers were offered in flights and ranged in color from light to dark with descriptors and International Bittering Units (IBU), which represents a beer’s bitterness. Your standard Budweiser has 7 BU. What we drank ranged from 20 to 40 BU. It was a delightful experience to dive into and explore the differences.
Another discovery along the way was the various terms used to discuss beer. People bandy about terms like “craft beer,” micro brews,” and “IPAs.” It was interesting to know that the difference between a craft beer and a micro-brew is simply the volume of beer that they are allowed to produce and bottle. Duh, should have known. IPA was a head turner for me. It stands for India Pale Ale, which is a hoppy beer style of pale ale developed in the mid 1800s. Who knew? So much to learn and appreciate.
Our next stop was Mad Fritz in St. Helena. It is just around the corner from Clif Family Winery. (Yes, they are the originators and owners of Clif Bars.) Again, an important stop to serve the needs of a two-beverage interest family. Mad Fritz’s storefront tasting room was jammed with customers, tasting through a long list of brews from light and fruity to dark and brooding. They offer eleven different beers on draught for tastings and standard pours. It was packed that day and tasters were literally spilling out on the sidewalk. They are open 5 days a week, Thursday through Monday.
Beer and wine are wonderful libations to curate an experience. Keep both in mind when you visit the Napa Valley next time. It is here for you to explore.
Enjoy!
