I took Val to the Sacramento airport for a 6:50 AM flight. After dropping her off, I caught a few winks in the car, sitting in the airport lot. After starting the morning at 3:45, the early morning nap felt great. At 8:30 I was ready to go.
I'd read about the Fox and Goose Public House in Sunset magazine. The article said they put on one of the best breakfast in Sacramento. When I walked in the door and saw all the folks waiting to be seated, I figured I must have got good advice.
The classic brick building was constructed in 1913 and housed the Fuller Paint and Glass Company. The Fox & Goose has been there since 1975. Although it was a tad bit early for beer, they had a number of interesting ales on draught, all from Great Britain and Ireland. I had a delicious breakfast, which even included a crumpet. I'll have to come back another time to sample some beers.
From there I made the short drive (14 blocks) to the Rubicon Brewpub, just because I knew there was some two hour free parking in that neighborhood and of course I would be ending up there at lunch time!
The Rubicon is only four blocks from the capital, and that was my next destination.
Not only is the capital building beautiful, but the ten square blocks of grounds have all kinds of interesting plants and trees.
As I walked up the stairs and entered the building I was immediately "greeted" by seven of the meanest looking security and police force type people. My attempts of humor, as I emptied my pockets for the x-ray machine, went over like a fart in a spacesuit. This was one serious group.
Once I got in I found out that the first office you come to, belongs to the Governator.
As I walked around the building I could see that the other two entrances were a tad bit more tourist friendly. Grammar school tours and such. I just picked the wrong door to walk in.
From the Capital, it's just a block over to the Pyramid Brewery. This shot of the front of Pyramid, almost looks like it's in Europe, with the classic Catholic Church (Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament) right next door. This church is where the Bishop of Northern California hangs out.
I had a 5 oz (their sampler size) of Thunderhead IPA (67 IBU and 6.7%) & Snow Cap (their winter beer at 7%), both very nice. In the shot below, you can see the long table set, next to the bar, for a holiday office party. The bar tender was extremely friendly. It's funny; some brewpubs seem to "freak-out" when I take pictures and others seem to know that I'm interested in capturing the experience and are helpful and friendly. Fortunately the latter was the case with all my visits this day.
A view from the second floor seating. You can see the small brewery through the window in the middle of the shot below.
It was time to move my car from it's free two hour parking (why spend money on parking when it could go towards another beer!).
Here's one more shot of the church. Even though it was technically the first of winter, it was still fall in Sacramento.
Some interesting modern architecture, on the walk back.
And some interesting old architecture.
After I stuck the car on the other side of the street it was time to hit the Rubicon. I've always loved this place. Their beers are top notch and they have pretty good pub grub.
This is a view of the brewpub, just as you walk in - the bar is to the right and the brewery is behind the windows.
I had a 1/2 pint of cask conditioned Monkey Knife Fight. An outstanding American Pale Ale, which to me was more like an IPA (and a great one, at that!). Made with Crystal malts and Mt Hood hops, this was one great cask ale. My next sample was their stout. This was in the Irish dry stout style, made with English Kent Golding hops and served on nitro. I then tried Rosebud Strong Ale 2008. This ale was first brewed in 1995 on the day Jerry Garcia died. The beer is named after one of Jerry's guitars, and is made with twelve different types of malted barley and German and Czech hops. Sometime during all this great beer, I had a soup and sandwich combo.
Here's a peek through the window into the brewery.
It was time to move the car again. I'd read someplace about the Old Soul Company Coffeehouse - "Bakers - Roasters - Artisans". The article said the entrance was back off an alley and that everything was $2 (coffee drinks and bakery goods). Coffee sounded pretty good, so I started off walking in search of this place. After going past it a couple of times I finally saw a small sign and went to the back of the building and found the alley entrance.
The coffee and pumpkin muffin was just what the doctor ordered.
I can imagine this place rocks out in the morning.
My last stop for the day was Hoppy Brewing Company. It's a straight shot, a tad bit over 3 miles from the Rubicon. You drive through the high rent part of Sacramento, with numerous cross streets holding classic old homes. I arrived at the brewery at 3:15.
A view as you walk in. The brewery is behind the windows at the rear.
I had a 1/2 pint of Stoney Face Red Ale ("A malty beer with dark carmel & chocolate malts. Nugget & Cascade hops give just enough bitterness for balance", 5.6%), a sample of Burnt Sienna Ale (this beer includes some smoked malts and Columbus, Glacier & Wilamette hops. 6.9%) and a 1/2 pint of their classic Total Eclipse Black Ale ("A porter-like brew with chocolate & black malts forms a coffee like flavor. For a pleasant bitterness, nugget & columbus hops are added" 5.6%). Later I took a shot of the brewery through the window and the manager came up and asked if I wanted to go in and get some more pictures. He unlocked the brewery door and left me in there alone. Just the opposite that I've experienced at some brewpubs (Newport Beach and Placerville come to mind) where they ask what the Hell are you taking the pictures for. Do I look like I work for the ABC or some other such government agency!
I enjoyed a leisure walk around the brewery equipment, and then it was time to go.
The end of a great day.
