April 2008
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April 2008
Five Places To Quaff a Cold Brew
By Kira O'Donnell
From Auburn to Elk Grove, you'll discover an exciting array of bustling brewpubs and alehouses, all offering a dizzying selection of beer styles. Whether you hanker for an invigorating, summer-friendly hefeweizen or a sturdy, intense, Irish-inspired stout, there's sure to be an accommodating (and genial) establishment close at hand.
BJ's Restaurant and Brewery/Brewhouse
With locations in Roseville, Folsom, Elk Grove and Natomas, BJ's Brewery and Brewhouses are cavernous, strikingly attractive and raucously noisy. In addition to the beer lineup, food menus are extensive, featuring items like the moist and meaty baby back pork ribs (slathered with a pungent barbecue sauce prepared from BJ's own beer) to fettuccini Alfredo and a garden vegetable-stuffed potato. All beers are brewed at the Roseville location, and include the sassy and very bitter Piranha Pale Ale and the alluringly sweet, delectable Nutty Brewnette.
BJ's Restaurant and Brewery; 1200 Roseville Parkway, Roseville; (916) 580-2100 (the only BJ's with an in-house brewery)
BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse; 2730 East Bidwell St., Folsom; (916) 404-2000
BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse; 9237 Laguna Springs Drive, Elk Grove; (916) 753-1500
BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse; 3531 N. Freeway Blvd., Natomas; (916) 570-1327
www.bjsbrewhouse.com
Elk Grove Brewery & Restaurant
Housed in a beautiful 123-year-old building in old town Elk Grove, Elk Grove Brewery features soaringly high, stamped-tin ceilings and gorgeous brick walls. Dimly lit and warmly welcoming, this lovely brewery is well-known for its house-brewed Sloughhouse Pale Ale, the broodingly dark but enticingly sweet Grainbarrel Stout, and the Big, But Blond Ale, a vibrant and light beer that's perfect for hot summer days. Don't miss the kitchen's dangerously garlicky garlic fries or the ale-friendly Wild West burger, topped with cheese, bacon, barbecue sauce and a beer-battered onion ring.
9085 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, (916) 685-2537 http://elkgrovebrewery.com/home/brewery/
Rubicon Brewing Company
Boistrous, convivial Rubicon Brewery is a midtown institution. On balmy evenings, the outdoor patio is thronged with regulars, swigging their favorite brew and relishing the brewery's famous&emdash;and wickedly greasy&emdash;chicken wings. House-brewed offerings include the popular IPA (India Pale Ale), the refreshing, grainy Czech Pilsner and the soft, coffee-nuanced stout. Note: The Rubicon staff likes kids, so bring 'em in for a burger, fries and a big cold glass of milk.
2004 Capitol Ave., Sacramento; (916) 448-7032; www.rubiconbrewing.com
Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
Located just a short walk from the Capitol building, Pyramid Alehouse is popular with the young professional folks who drop in at lunch or after work for the brewmaster's Apricot Weizen, a delightful, fruity and unique wheat ale, and the light and lively Curve Ball Kölsch. The menu complements Pyramid's tasty beers, and features a wide range of hearty, comfort food items, from hickory-smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf and a spicy buffalo chicken sandwich to brick oven-baked pizzas. Don't miss the comfortable outdoor dining area, which is a great place to people-watch and see the light rail roll lazily by.
1029 K St., Sacramento; (916) 498-9800; www.pyramidbrew.com/alehouses/sacramento.php
Auburn Alehouse
A dazzling addition to Old Town, the relatively new Auburn Alehouse is an enthusiastically patronized and very friendly brewpub. Housed in a beautifully renovated historic building, the Alehouse is a captivating mix of old and new with its gorgeous, rough brick walls and coldly shiny brewing equipment. Popular quaffs include the bright, crisp Auburn Export Lager and the thick and creamy Shanghai Stout, redolent with heady, coffee-toffee flavors. Another winner is the brewmaster's American River Pale Ale, whose complex bitterness and smooth drinkability make it an excellent warm-weather beer. Auburn Alehouse's kitchen also cranks out some excellent food&emdash;try the delicate walnut gorgonzola salad and the Italian Job pizza, boasting a crackly, thin crust smeared with garlicky pesto sauce, and piled with grilled chicken, prosciutto, feta cheese and fresh tomatoes.
289 Washington St., Old Town Auburn; (530) 885-2537; www.auburnalehouse.com
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