Another lighter standout was Born to Raise Helles, a sweet, easy-drinking lager. He brews a nice range of beers, all very well made, but I was especially taken with his Destination Nectaron, a pilsner using a distinctive New Zealand hop variety that imparts intense tropical flavors. The brewery is tucked in back, behind a central bar, and the place feels open and airy.īrewmaster Guy Cameron spent eight years at Russian River Brewing, before taking the reins at Floodcraft. The upstairs digs include a balcony of tables with lovely views of The Alameda. With the help of locals, the market was rebuilt and reopened in less than a month, and the Floodcraft name honors that spirit of community. The name stems from an incident early in the grocery chain’s history, when a historic flood in 1980 leveled much of Austin, Texas. You’ll find it upstairs in a building adjacent to the market. The brewery is a hidden gem - quite literally. Yes, there’s a Floodcraft Taproom at the Santa Clara Whole Foods, but you’ll want to head for the original brewery on The Alameda for the real deal. Monday-Thursday and noon Friday-Sunday at 1171 Homestead Road in Santa Clara. But people clamor for his Johnny Mac wRye Red and Sid’s Serrano Ale, a smoked-pepper pale ale.ĭetails: Taplands opens at 3 p.m. It’s hard to keep with demand on a 1-bbl nanobrewery setup and run the bar. As for the beer, he chuckles and says his own beers are only on “irregularly” and usually sell out fast. Hartenstein reckons 75 to 80 percent of his customers are regulars that he knows by name. The bar, which offers indoor and outdoor seating and tasty fare such as deviled eggs, panini and charcuterie boards, has become a neighborhood destination. Founded in 2016 by homebrewer Matt Hartenstein, Santa Clara’s Taplands is a taproom, bottle shop and nanobrewery. That’s probably why in 2020, Taplands was named the best beer bar in California by a Brewers Association poll. The idea, he tells me, is to have brews that are “good for people who both know good beer and don’t know what they want.” Education is a big component here, and the bar’s vibe aims to welcome beer geeks like him as well as newbies eager to learn. Hartenstein likes to keep a diverse portfolio of styles. The focus is clearly on the taproom, with a nicely curated, rotating lineup of 25 beers plus a cask engine. Hartenstein is a longtime homebrewer and self-avowed “old-time beer nerd” who wanted to have a craft beer bar, but didn’t want to give up his hobby - so he figured out a way to do both. Taplands, Santa Claraįounded in by Matt Hartenstein in 2016, this taproom is also a bottle shop and occasional brewery. This month, Silicon Valley beckoned with breweries ranging from Floodcraft to Taplands and more. Cahuita and Puerto Viejo have an Afro-Caribbean vibe.My Bay Area brewery tours have taken me to taprooms across the region, from the Tri-Valley’s Inc 82 and Danville Brewing to Pacifica’s Pedro Point. When you say culture I think of the people, the food, the sports (soccer!), the music. I am not sure what you mean by culture but Costa Rica is all about nature and wildlife. Visit the Cahuita National Park (beaches, rainforest, wildlife) and explore the beaches and rainforest south of Puerto Viejo. Stay in Cahuita or on one of the beaches south of Puerto Viejo. The Caribbean coast has some of its best weather in September and August is not the rainiest month there either (and hopefully the second half would be drier than the first). Or Sarapiqui for two days or Tortuguero (instead of Arenal or Orosi) and then Cahuita/Puerto Viejo. Or, for something less touristy, go to the Orosi Valley for 2 days instead of Arenal, then the Caribbean coast and maybe do the rafting trip your last day with pick-up on the Caribbean coast and drop-off in San Jose. In that case spend 2 days in Arenal and then do the rafting trip on the Rio Pacuare with pick-up in Arenal and drop-off on the Caribbean coast. You could combine Rincon de la Vieja (very close to Liberia) with a beach.īut I would be tempted to fly to SJO if you have 6 full days. I would not spend all my time on the beach. Answer: Either fly into and out of Liberia or into and out of San Jose (SJO).Īs you don't have much time I agree Liberia would be easier.
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