DINE

Beer Here

Headlands Brewing

Although the brewery famed for showcasing Marin’s hills on its labels opened its first brewery in Lafayette, CEO Austin Sharp is not only scouting for a spot to open a taproom in-county, his team is celebrating a partnership with the Golden Gate Parks Conservancy for 2023. As if you needed a reason to drink Marinthemed beer, the “Golden Gate” seasonal series of IPAs launched with Golden Gate in November, 2022, Muir Woods is expected in April and Alcatraz is scheduled for July. “We are donating $1 of every 4-pack sold to the parks,” said Sharp. headlandsbrewing.com

There are more places to quaff a wellcrafted brew in Marin than ever. Marin beer brands are getting creative. And the non-alcoholic beer trend is making a mark, too.

WHAT'S

What’s your California beer style?

Best Day Brewing

Though he does not have a beer garden with his non-alcoholic (NA) beers on tap, Tate Huffard of Sausalito’s Best Bay Brewing designed a set of brews in a can with an eye on NorCal’s outdoor-focused, up early to hike culture. In 2021, Huffard launched a non-alcoholic Kölsch and an IPA onto the market. Building on the success of these early adapters, Huffard’s hazy IPA followed in 2022. You can find his NA beer wherever beer is sold. bestdaybrewing.com

Creekside Pizza and Taproom

With 40 handles and 31 craft beers from 28 California breweries, the options here are epic, including three of Absolution Brewing’s beers on tap — Cardinal Sin, an Irish-style red ale; Floc’ing Great, a New England-style hazy IPA; and First Responder IPA. Taps are always open to neighbors, like Fieldwork, Headlands, Pond Farm and others who remain true to craft. The on-tap portfolio gets even more diverse when you consider that hard and soft kombucha, Lost Coast root beer and Ace hard cider are also available. A growler program is designed for getting your beer to go, perhaps to enjoy in adjacent Creekside Park. 638 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo; 415.785.4450; creeksidesa.com

Fieldwork Brewing

The see-and-be-seen patio enlivens the outdoor eating scene at Corte Madera Town Center, one of seven NorCal locations for this brewery. The draft list includes everything from Belgian dubbelstyle to lighter Czech-style lagers and hoppier double IPAs. The pizzas have a dedicated following and roasted Brussels sprouts and a chopped kale salad round out the menu. 107 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera; 415.891.8273

HenHouse Brewing

The self-proclaimed “West County Pub” plans to reopen in early 2023 with a reimagined menu of small bites, handhelds and shareables that go head-to-head with an expansive beer menu. We hope the beer hall-style tables, especially the ones with banquettes, return, too. 765 Center Blvd, Fairfax: 415.485.1005; henhousebrewing.com

HopMonk Tavern

The tables shaded by umbrellas and live music pumping from the stage set a lively scene for this beer garden at Novato’s Vintage Oaks Shopping Center. While many come to savor a Pliny the Younger (when in season), the restaurant is known for its killer Reuben and fish and chips with Caribbean slaw. 224 Vintage Way, Novato; 415.892.6200; hopmonk.com

Indian Valley Brewing

Just off of Novato’s main drag, this nano brewery has an outdoor patio complete with umbrellas and picnic tables to savor everything from Grumpas, a Scotch style ale, to a dry stout named Genius. Taquiza Los Cunados serves up Mexican food every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and Grateful Greek serves their signature gyros on Thursdays. Look for pop-ups from Lone Mountain Barbecue, too. 1016 Railroad Ave., Novato; indianvalleybrewing.com

The Junction

Owner Dez Fiedler’s devotion to micro-produced and local beer is evident from the 30 taps and a robust can program including Socks and Sandals from Humble Sea in Santa Cruz, and experimental bottlings, like Barebottle Brewing’s Tangberry Typhoon, all easy to pair with pizzas from Pizzahacker. Grab your fleece to sip one by a fire pit on the huge backyard patio where live music is often on offer and a kids play area beckons. 226 Shoreline Hwy, 415.888.3544; thejunc.com

Monk’s Kettle

Like the original in San Francisco, Christian Albertson’s restaurant in the shopping center kitty-corner from the Terra Linda Pool serves quaffable beers (like Pliny the Elder on tap), burgers, and pub grub to match the suds. The Mission Fried Chicken has an ardent following but there are plenty of veg-forward offerings, too. The mochi pancakes at brunch are not to be missed — try them with an Ettaler Heller Bock from Bayern, Germany. 655 Del Ganado Rd, San Rafael; monkskettle.com

Moylan’s

The big tanks out front are a sign of the beer to come at this longrunning brewery in Novato. Grab a seat at one of the picnic tables in the backyard patio before sinking into a bowl of beef and bean chili or the restaurant’s famous corned beef and cabbage. The beer menu is similarly Irish-American in flavor with Irish stouts and NorCal IPAs available in equal measure. 15 Rowland Way, Novato; 415.898.4677; moylans.com

Ounces Outdoors

Enjoy small-batch, locally brewed beers on tap from Adobe Creek Brewing, Fogbelt Brewing and Pond Farm Brewing, or a range of ciders at an all-outdoor, dog-friendly beer garden with fire pits and bocce courts. Grab a seat at a picnic table before digging into a chile verde pork or steak and mushroom savory pie, a warm pretzel with mustard, or a caramelized onion grilled cheese sandwich. 5800 Northgate Dr, San Rafael; 877.747.0383, ouncresoutdoors.com

Pond Farm Brewing

The microbrewery in the West End from husband and wife team Trevor and Stephanie Martens has a rotating list of beers on tap from brewer Trevor, and a new food menu for enjoying in the beer garden or at the bar. Look for snacks like a pretzel loaded with cornichons, gruyere and salami, salads and mains like a sausage plate with mashed potatoes or a veggie sandwich. 1848 Fourth St, 415.524.8709; pondfarmingbrewing.com