We are heading into a pretty exciting football experience with our 49ers and the Superbowl. At Piedmont Grocery, we like to go with epicurean flair. Let's start with the beer, an opportunity to rise above the stereotype of rippin' one off the six-pack, and flipping' up the tab.
Our region is rich with local, artisan brews. Here we'll highlight a few of our favorite breweries for your inspiration.
Trumer PilsBerkeleyTrumer makes exactly one beer: a world-class, German style Pilsner. Trumer Pils is characterized by a distinct hops flavor, high carbonation and light body. A combination of Saaz and Austrian hops, malt mashing process and proprietary yeast make Trumer Pils unique among beers. It is brewed at at two sister Trumer Brauereis in Salzburg, Austria and Berkeley, California.
Trumer Pils was awarded gold in the German-Style Pilsner category at the 9th annual European Beer Star Awards held on Nov. 15, 2012 in Nuremberg, Germany.
Visit their
site for a virtual brewery tour, or to
arrange a tour.
DrakesSan LeandroDrakes specializes in a ample collection of exciting and extreme ales & lagers that includes both year-round and seasonal ales. The list includes: India Pale Ale (their flagship beer), 1500 Pale Ale, Drakonic Imperial Stout and Denogginizer Imperial India Pale Ale. They are releasing their seasonal Hopocalypse Imperial India Pale Ale and Hopocalypse Black Label Triple India Pale Ale on February 3rd.
If you want a full-out Drakes experience, visit their
Barrel House, in the gritty environs of industrial San Leandro, where you can find up to 24 different Drake's beers on tap, including all regular styles, some on nitro and cask, hard to find seasonals and specialties, and a few barrel-aged beers.
RuhstallerSacramentoCalifornia's first brewers knew Sacramento was an ideal place to brew beer. In 1881 Ruhstaller became Sacramento's first premium beer. 128 year later, J-E Paino, a native San Franciscan, decided to revive Captain Ruhstaller's legacy of crafting Sacramento's finest brew. Ruhstaller crafts small lot batches using locally sourced ingredients.
They craft three varieties: 1881 California Red Ale -- Kuchinski Hop Ranch, CAPT California Black India Pale Ale, and Hop Sac 2012 -- Blue Heron Hop Yard.
Cali Craft Walnut CreekCali Craft is a brewing company that blurs the line between our perceptions of beer and wine. Founder, Blaine Landberg says, "I want my beers to have the taste of terroir in the same way wines do." He sources locally: malt from the Klamath Basin, hops from Lake County, and honey from the foothills outside Willows, on his family's ranch.
Beers include: Buzzerkeley is a sparkling ale, Cali Colsh is a Kölsch-style brew, and Oaktown Brown is darker with caramel and coffee notes.
