When California’s shelter-in-place directive kicked in, craft breweries took an immediate hit. With taprooms, bars, and restaurants closed for onsite service, Golden State brewers lost approximately 70 percent of their business, according to a California Craft Brewers Association survey released in April.
Prior to the pandemic, the state’s thriving industry supported 1,039 craft beer producers—more than any other U.S. state—but many are now struggling. While you can’t hang out at your favorite local breweries right now, you can help them weather the storm by doing something you already love—drinking beer!
Breweries across California are making it easy for fans to show their support by offering pickup, delivery, and statewide shipping, as well as hosting fun virtual tastings and online experiences to help folks connect over a pint or two. Here is a thirst-quenching sampler of offerings from Golden State craft brewers.
Virtual tastings and experiences
Along with pickups and shipping throughout California, Common Space Brewery in Los Angeles is offering next-day delivery of classic beers and special releases in the greater Los Angeles area and San Fernando Valley. If you’re in need of some weekday laughs (and who isn’t?), Common Space hosts virtual comedy shows every other Wednesday.
Drake’s Brewing Co. in San Leandro is serving up beer and wood-fired pizzas to go and hosting virtual Bends & Brews yoga flow sessions on Sunday mornings via Instagram Live. The online stretch-fests promise to put participants in a “cool, calm, collected headspace,” and of course finish with a post-workout brew.
Draughtsmen Aleworks in Goleta and Santa Barbara is hosting Socially Distant Trivia Nights on Zoom and Facebook every Tuesday night, with chances to win beer-centric prizes. Pick up beer at the location of your choice and raise a glass while playing along with the Draughtsmen team.
With locations in Santa Barbara, Arroyo Grande, Buellton, Santa Maria, and Westlake Village, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. is offering beer and food for pickup and delivery, as well as shipping brews throughout the state. Every week, #FIGLIVE livestream events bring live music to your living room, plus beer chats with Fig Mountain’s head brewer and weekly discount coupons for the online store.
La Quinta Brewing Co. is offering to-go brews in cans, bottles, and growlers from the brewery’s Palm Desert and La Quinta taprooms, along with local delivery. Select from Poolside Blonde, Koffi Porter, Heatwave Amber, and other summertime sippers.
Petaluma’s Lagunitas Brewing Co. is offering Drizly delivery of brewery staples, as well as lesser-known beers like the Hazy Wonder and Super Cluster IPA. Missing the brewery’s live shows? Check out the Couch Trippin' livesteam series, featuring musical veterans of the brewery’s amphitheater, all jamming in place. You can even download Lagunitas backgrounds for your next Zoom meeting.
Through virtual beer tastings, Chico’s Sierra Nevada brewery invites you to learn about different beer styles and ingredients while tasting along at home. Order the featured beers for curbside pickup or Drizly delivery, or have beer shipped to your doorstep in California, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Vermont.
Along with $10 flat-rate shipping throughout California, Stone Brewing in San Diego is packing up food and brews for takeout, pickup, and delivery from many of its locations, including Escondido, Liberty Station, and Pasadena. You can also join in the brewery’s Friday afternoon virtual happy hour sessions on Instagram Live with the San Diego Loyal soccer team.
Expanded delivery and shipping
Temecula’s Aftershock Brewing Co. is offering beer for pickup, local delivery, and statewide shipping. Choose from Guavaaah! Hazy/Juicy Pale Ale, Peanut ALEert and other brews by the can or 32-ounce crowler.
Beachwood BBQ & Brewing, with outposts in Long Beach, Huntington Beach, and Seal Beach, is shipping its diverse range of beers—including fun archive selections, Amalgamator IPA, and Beachwood Blendery brews—throughout California. Beer is also available for pickup and delivery.
El Segundo Brewing Co. in El Segundo is shipping 12-packs and cases throughout California and offering pickup specials such as the I Should Work Today crowler 3-Pack. You can even order a half-barrel keg to go if that strikes your fancy.
West Sacramento’s Jackrabbit Brewing Co. is shipping small-batch beers across California, including mixed cases of Alpha Mosaic, Coconut Brown, Peach Pale, and other favorites. The brewery also has a drive-up beer stand, so you can order online and just drive up to get the goods.
Pure Project in San Diego is shipping brews to California and Nevada, plus taking 25 percent off pick-up orders at its Miramar and Balboa Park locations until further notice. The brewery is also doing local delivery in San Diego and Orange County.
For more breweries offering takeout and delivery, see Support Beer and CraftBeer.com.
