Sacto’s no San Diego

Firestone Walker Brewing Company’s Double Jack may be available in every bar and most corner stores in town, but Sacramento’s beer-distribution scene continues to lag behind San Diego, Calif. On a recent trip, I relished the chance to sample beers from unheralded and locally undistributed San Diego-area breweries, including the savory-sweet fruitcake flavors of Alpine Beer Company’s glorious FiringsQuad and Societe Brewing Co.’s excellent Every Man’s IPA. Beyond that, I also found beers from Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Founders Brewing Co.—its Dirty Bastard is the only Scotch ale I’ve ever loved—at the San Diego chapter of the Toronado pub. Even the shabbiest of corner stores offered the opportunity to score a bottle from Boulder, Colorado’s Avery Brewing Company, in this case, its Belgian quadruple ale, The Reverend, which was earthier and hoppier than Alpine’s version.

Beer: Puja (English IPA)
Brewer: Thornbridge Brewery
Where: Pangaea Two Brews Cafe, 2743 Franklin Boulevard; (916) 454-4942

Beer: Propaganda Pils
Brewer: Berryessa Brewing Co.
Where: The Davis Beer Shoppe, 211 G Street in Davis; (530) 756-5212

Beer: White Oak (wheat wine in bourbon barrels and golden-ale blend)
Brewer: The Bruery
Where: Samuel Horne’s Tavern, 719 Sutter Street in Folsom; (916) 293-8207