Craft Beer Update 02.08.2026

[PaulR]

Craft Beer Update

Brew Fest at The Bistro – Hayward Ride Report (Beer Edition)

Rolled down to Hayward this weekend for the annual Brew Fest at The Bistro, and I’ve got to say — if you haven’t checked this one out yet, put it on your calendar for next year. It’s one of the most dialed‑in beer events around. Super well organized, great crowd, and almost 70 beers on tap to explore.

Weather was perfect, the street was buzzing, and the whole thing had that relaxed, good‑vibes energy where you can wander, sample, talk hops, and just enjoy the day. No chaos, no long waits, just a smooth setup run by people who clearly know what they’re doing.

If you’re into good beer, good people, and a solid excuse for a ride, this fest is absolutely worth the trip. I had a great time and will definitely be back.

Bistro Double IPA Winners 2026

Double IPAs

• 1st Place: Headway, by Moonraker Brewing, from Auburn, California.
• 2nd Place: Smokestack Lightning West, by Flatland Brewing, from Elk Grove, California
• 3rd Place: Hoptomic Demon Core, by Morgan Territory Brewing, in Tracy, California

People’s Choice Award

Super Secret Sauce, by Shred Beer Co., from Rocklin, California.

PaulR

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Working weekends eliminates some of these options for me, but, having weekdays off means I have hit Toronado during their "beer week" and avoid the crowds for Pliny the Younger. That'll be Tuesday and or Wednesdays plan this week Thursday back at work will probably suck.

 

[GAJ]

Lagunitas Beast of Both Worlds is worth a try.

The Beast of Both Worlds | Lagunitas Brewing Company

The Beast of Both Worlds is a Imperial IPA style beer brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, CA. Score: 87 with 194 ratings and reviews. Last update: 02-09-2026.

www.beeradvocate.com

 

[easy wind]

One day I gratefully lost my taste for beer. Just happened overnight. Actually only drank it for about 15 years. But now I have a taste for ciders, way easier on the bod. My fav is Ace Cidery in Sebastopol and many have zero sugar added. I like the guava and the pear best. They also have a high gravity peach. YMMV and back to the original breweries, sorry for the threadjack.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Can't have a beer belly without beer, I resemble this comment.

 

[auntiebling]

One day I gratefully lost my taste for beer. Just happened overnight. Actually only drank it for about 15 years. But now I have a taste for ciders, way easier on the bod. My fav is Ace Cidery in Sebastopol and many have zero sugar added. I like the guava and the pear best. They also have a high gravity peach. YMMV and back to the original breweries, sorry for the threadjack.

I still love beer it just doesn't love me back so I must pick n choose when I partake

I also find cider less disagreeable. I like the Brut and mMghty Dry from Golden State

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Beer is friendly enough, whiskey always wants to let me know we hung out. I should give cider a chance, when I have tried it in the past I found it too sweet for my liking.

 

[easy wind]

Yup I only like very dry puckery ciders. Was a pilsner person before tho, not the bitter ones.

 

[auntiebling]

Beer is friendly enough, whiskey always wants to let me know we hung out. I should give cider a chance, when I have tried it in the past I found it too sweet for my liking.

Yeah it's getting better but most of the widely available coder is geared towards people who prefer sweet drinks and don't want to order a froofy drink or a cheer beer/seltzer whatever

 

[mjj]

My riding buddies (you know who you are) have instilled in me a strict regimen of "riding=no drinking" but being a one time brewer I'm always interested to hear of the craft scene. And, for general consumption, you all do realize that whisky=distilled beer, they are way closer than kissing cousins.

AFAIC, North Coast Brewery is the mother ship of beer in our universe, and I've been known to cage it up there to stock up.

 

[Brokenlink]

Beer is friendly enough, whiskey always wants to let me know we hung out. I should give cider a chance, when I have tried it in the past I found it too sweet for my liking.

There is a brewery up here (Solid Ground Brewing) that makes a lot of ciders. Since we are basically in Apple Hill, they use local apples and do a lot of varietal ones. THey are always very dry. I couldn't stand ciuders before I tried theirs. Too sweet. But they make some good ones.

 

[PaulR]

02.20.2026. Craft Beer - Update - Sonoma Springs - Unknown Industries - Rider Suttie

 

[Abacinator]

SF beer week kicks off today

 

[PaulR]

SF beer week kicks off today

I drink to that…
This is where San Francisco becomes legendary.
In 1965, Fritz Maytag bought the struggling Anchor Brewing Company and transformed it into what is widely recognized as America’s first modern craft brewery.
Anchor Steam became the flagship of a new movement—small‑batch, flavorful, independent beer.
This single act helped ignite the craft beer revolution nationwide.

PaulR

 

[Melissa]

I also lost my taste for beet and wine overnight.
Can't even take a sip now and then.
Strange chemistry.

 

[Melissa]

beer not beets.
I do love me some beets however.

 

[Melissa]

I remember getting tattooed during beer week in SF.
Streets were crowded and it was fun to be out and about.

 

[PaulR]

I remember getting tattooed during beer week in SF.
Streets were crowded and it was fun to be out and about.

I get not drinking beer….it’s not for everyone.
I do like BBQ and West Sacramento has Urban Roots one of my favorite breweries for both Beer and BBQ.
Have you been there?
PaulR

 

[augustiron]

Ipas
Yuck

Fight me.

 

[Melissa]

usually go to The Tank House when I am out and about.
Never been to Urban Roots however.