Invariably, there will be lists that tout great beer cities, or top designations for beer lovers. In the United States, places like Denver, Tampa, Chicago, Portland and Asheville get endless, often breathless, coverage and top billing. One of the country’s largest cities is one that is often overlooked but has quietly been building a beer culture that rivals its better-known counterparts.
Currently, more than 9,200 breweries are operating across America, and California has the most out of any state. San Diego, which pioneered the West Coast IPA and was an early destination for craft breweries, often gets the most attention.
Northern California is home to revered breweries like Sierra Nevada and Russian River Brewing Company. Anchor Brewing, a San Francisco icon that survived Prohibition,
