Santa Rosa was recently named the microbrew capital of the U.S., but it turns out the city’s neighbors aren’t too shabby at brewing either. Petaluma has some highly rated breweries that specialize in creating handcrafted ales. The popular tourist destination also has a collection of idiosyncratic bars where locals and visitors alike enjoy kicking back with a pint. If you’re a beer enthusiast, we’ve done the research and sifted through the reviews to bring you the best bars and breweries Petaluma has to offer.

 Ernie’s Tin Bar

Courtesy of KAte / Ernie's Tin Bar

This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot along the Lakeville Highway is an ideal pit stop for those making their way through Petaluma for a long weekend. Ernie’s has the feel of a roadside dive bar, with full pints of beer and other drinks available on tap. Plus, if you’re nostalgic for the days when bars were a place to meet world travelers and like-minded brew-loving folks, you’ll be happy to know that Ernie’s has a no cell phone policy. You can bet no one will have their heads buried in their phones at this joint — finally, a place for real conversation. Another fun fact about Ernie’s is that it has nearly 100 years of history, having been founded in 1923. 

Lagunitas Brewing Company

Courtesy of Lagunitas

Some of the best brews were formulated by accident, which just goes to show that the key to creating a beloved brew is experimentation. At Lagunitas, patrons can sample experimental brews, which may not always be a game-changer but are sure to be one of a kind. People who are tired of having the same old brews at the same old bars will likely get a kick out of trying something new. If you’re interested in learning more about the brewery world, you can also hop into one of the brewery’s free tours (where you’ll even get a free beer). Lagunitas also frequently features live music, and there’s plenty of outdoor seating for those cool summer nights. 

TAPS

Courtesy of TAPS Petaluma

If you’re not sure what kind of beer you like and want to try some of everything (in moderation, of course), TAPS pretty much has it all, from California IPAs to German Hefeweizens to all kinds of ciders and meads. Each person gets two free samples, so this can help you narrow down what you want to sample. The taps rotate all the time, so the menu changes frequently. Sports fans like frequenting this joint for the big-screen TVs when the big games are happening and TAPS has plenty of bar food and game day selections, including chicken wings, deviled eggs, and mac ‘n cheese.

Dempsey’s Restaurant & Brewery

Courtesy of Dempsey's Restaurant & Brewery

Handcrafted ales are Dempsey’s specialty, and the brewery offers a wide variety to boot. Sample an Amarillo Highway (an American ale made from wheat, with hints of citrus), a Francois (a dry selection made with Belgian and German malts), or a Heffy (a German-inspired dry ale). If you know beer, you know that alcohol should never be enjoyed on an empty stomach, and Dempsey’s has a wide food menu to keep your belly full. Most of the menu items are pub foods, including shoestring onion rings, pulled pork sandwiches, and sausage pizza. As an added bonus, this brewery offers gorgeous views of the river, which you can admire while you enjoy your tavern-style grub and house-made ales.

101 North Brewing Co.

Courtesy of 101 North Brewing

Named for the extensive highway that runs past it, 101 North is an unassuming little joint you might not even notice if you didn’t know where to look. There are dozens of microbrew selections, and the brewery also regularly hosts pop-up dinner events with nearby restaurants like Simmer Vietnamese Kitchen and F.A. Ninos. Perhaps the most well known and frequently ordered drink here is the Heroine IPA. To give you a sense of how famous this drink is, the ale is now available at different restaurants and gets poured at taprooms all over the Bay Area.