While craft beer has become quite popular, the growth in breweries has been a more recent phenomenon. In the 1990s, there were much fewer breweries. One of these is Russian River Brewing Company, which helped grow the craft beer industry and remains a well-known and well-respected brewery. Russian River is located in Santa Rosa, just north of San Francisco. The brewery makes a variety of beers, though it is best known for its IPAs and its sour beers aged in local wine barrels.

Russian River Brewing Company has now grown to include a second location in Windsor, though our visit took us to the brewpub in Santa Rosa. The brewpub is located in a rather plain storefront, with a lovely sign above the entrance and a large patio for outdoor seating. Inside, the brewpub features a wood paneled interior and warm colors with brewery paraphernalia adorning the walls. The brewpub feels like an old pub with a simple, rustic atmosphere.

The brewery has many of its beers on tap, spanning a range of styles. We were able to try some of Russian River’s famous IPAs (Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig), a pilsner, and a variety of the brewery’s sour, Belgian, and barrel aged beers. We were even able to buy a beer to-go that was unavailable on tap, a beer that we enjoyed later that evening. While all of the beers we tried were interesting to try and well-made, we particularly enjoyed Pliny the Elder and Beatification.

Russian River’s brewpub also serves food, which we enjoyed while we visited. The menu includes typical pub food, such as salads, sandwiches, pizza, calzones, wings, and other appetizers. We ordered a Caesar salad and a margherita pizza to share and enjoyed both the salad and pizza with our beer.

We enjoyed getting to try several beers from this famous brewery and have delicious food while doing so. We recommend trying Russian River Brewing Company.