California's Best Beer

The microbrew revolution has taken root in California, and there is an excellent selection of finely crafted brews. There are literally hundreds of microbreweries up and down the Golden State. It was not easy coming up with the best three, although I have spent years in non-scientific "research" of the topic. After trying multiple beers of many different flavors, it came down to a few that have become favorites, not just as microbrews, but my favorite beers, overall.

White Buffalo-Buffalo Bill's Brewery - Hayward, California

Back in my days at Cal State, Hayward, the Brew Pub attached to the brewery was my hangout of choice. It was a laid back place to chill out with my friends and throw back pints of White Buffalo. Other times, it was me and pints of White Buffalo with a notebook of the spiral bound variety as I played my role as a Creative Writing major and scribbled words on empty pages. White Buffalo is a light ale that is not overbearing.

St. Stan's Red Sky Ale- St. Stan's Brewery - Modesto, California

I got turned on to Red Sky ale whilst hanging out at a bar in Berkeley. I didn't make the Modesto connection until I moved out here a few years later and lived right around the corner from the St. Stan's Brewery and Brew Pub. (See my article on Modesto's Bars for more details on what is now Hero's.) Red Sky is a red ale. It has a medium flavor and a slight bitterness on the first drink, but is not overbearing.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewery-Chico, California

My relationship with Sierra Nevada also dates back to my days at CSU Hayward. When I wasn't hanging at Buffalo Bills, I could be found down the street at the Vintage Cellar Bistro. (I wonder if it's still there.) They aren't a brewery, but they served Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on tap, and I fell in love with it. Unlike the other two, I haven't been to the brewery where it was made. Sierra Nevada also has a much larger distribution network than the other two, so it much more well known. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a easy drinking ale with a deep golden color. It can be found both as a draught and bottled in nearly any grocery store.

There you have it, my three favorite beers and how I came to love them. They are all brewed by independent brewers right here in Northern California.