Top 3 Micro Breweries in Californiia

California is a wonderful state for many reasons. California is blessed with some of the best weather and vast variety of terrains ranging from snow topped mountains, searing deserts, rich farmland, tropical beaches and beautiful wine country. After naming all of this I feel a little spoiled and embarrassed to add that California is also home to some of the most imaginative and innovative micro breweries a beer drinker could seek. With so many to choose from ,I managed to create a top 3 list of the best micro breweries in California.

Sierra Nevada

The Company

Founded in 1979 and located in Chico, California Sierra Nevada is the biggest California micro brewery on this list offering a great variety of beers. The "Sierra Nevada Pale Ale" is the most popular Sierra Nevada product ranking second best-selling micro brew in the world behind the Boston Beer Company's "Samuel Adams Boston Lager."

The Beer

Year Round: Pale Ale, Porter, Wheat, Stout, Torpedo Extra IPA, Kellerweis,
Seasonal Beers: Glissade, Summerfest, Anniversary Ale, Celebration Ale.
Special Release Beers: Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale, Harvest Ale, Estate Ale.
Limited Draft Beers: Pale Bock, India Pale Ale, Brown Ale, Crystal Wheat, Blonde Ale, Best Bitter Ale, Ruthless Weiss Beer.

The Micro Brewery

Sierra Nevada Brewery is located in Chico, California. It's open to the public for self-guided tours. Guided tours are available daily at no cost. The tours are appropriate for all ages and no reservations are necessary. There is also a restaurant and gift shop on-site.
Open 10am-6pm

For more info:
Call: (530) 896-2198.
Website: http://www.sierranevada.com/

Speakeasy Ales and Lagers:

The Company

Founded in 1997 and located in San Francisco, California Speakeasy is known for making beer products that are considerably high in alcohol consisting from 5%-10% alcohol content by volume. The company uses the prohibition era reference and theme for its labels and advertising.

The Beer

Year Round Beers: "Big Daddy I.P.A," "Prohibition Amber Ale," "Untouchable Pale Ale," "Double Daddy India Pale Ale."
Seasonal Beers: "Hunters Point Porter," "Bootlegger Black Lager," "Old Goodfather Barleywine."

The Micro Brewery

Located in San Francisco, California the brewery is open for tours by appointment on Fridays, but does not operate any on-site sales, restaurants, or gift shops.

For more info:
Call: (415)64-BEER1
Website: http://www.goodbeer.com/SWF/index.html

Lost Coast Brewery:

The Company

Lost Coast Brewery is a female owned micro brewery located in Eureka, California. The company was founded in 1990.

The Beer

Year Round Beers: "Downtown Brown," "Great White," "8 Ball Stout," "Tangerine Wheat Ale," "Alley Cat Amber Ale," "Indica Indian Pale Ale," "Lost Coast Pale Ale," "Raspberry Brown."
Seasonal Beers: "Winterbraun," "Okotoberfest," "Double Trouble IPA"
Limited Release Beers: "Chocolate Porter," "Scotch Ale," "Imperial Pilsner."

The Micro Brewery

The original brewery was located at Pythian's Castle. Lost Coast outgrew Pythian's Castle and in 2005 moved to a larger location.

For more Info:
Call: (707) 445-4484
Website: http://www.lostcoast.com/

Sources: Speakeasy Ales and Lagers, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Lost Coast Brewery