Bakersfield, California boasts a thriving craft beer scene that’s been steadily growing in recent years. Located in the heart of Kern County, this city has become a destination for beer enthusiasts seeking unique and flavorful brews. From established breweries to up-and-coming taprooms, Bakersfield offers a diverse range of craft beers that reflect the region’s character and creativity.
The city’s craft beer landscape features notable establishments like Temblor Brewing Company, which opened in 2015 and quickly gained popularity for its high-quality beers. Other local favorites include Dionysus Brewing and Lengthwise Brewing Company, each contributing to Bakersfield’s reputation as a craft beer hub.
Visitors and locals alike can explore a variety of taprooms, bottle shops, and brewpubs throughout the city. Places like Off The Rails Tap Lounge & Bottle Shop and Imbibe Wine & Spirits Merchant offer extensive selections of local and regional craft beers, providing opportunities to sample the best of Bakersfield’s brewing talent.
History of Craft Beer in Bakersfield
Bakersfield’s craft beer scene has roots dating back to the early 2010s. The city’s first modern craft brewery opened its doors in 2015, marking a significant milestone for local beer enthusiasts.
Prior to 2015, Bakersfield residents had limited access to locally-produced craft beers. Most options came from larger breweries or out-of-town craft producers.
The opening of Temblor Brewing Company in 2015 sparked a craft beer revolution in Bakersfield. Located in the heart of the city, Temblor quickly gained popularity for its high-quality brews and welcoming atmosphere.
Following Temblor’s success, other local breweries began to emerge across Kern County. These new establishments brought diverse beer styles and flavors to the area, catering to evolving consumer tastes.
Bakersfield’s craft beer industry has experienced steady growth since 2015. Local breweries have expanded their offerings, experimented with unique ingredients, and built strong community connections.
Today, Bakersfield boasts a thriving craft beer scene with multiple breweries and taprooms. These establishments contribute to the local economy and provide gathering spaces for beer enthusiasts to enjoy locally-made brews.
Exploring Local Breweries
Bakersfield boasts a vibrant craft beer scene with several standout breweries. Each offers unique flavors and atmospheres, contributing to the city’s growing reputation for quality brews.
Temblor Brewing Company Profile
Temblor Brewing Company opened in 2015, marking a significant milestone for Bakersfield’s craft beer culture. The brewery quickly gained popularity for its commitment to producing high-quality beers. Temblor’s spacious taproom features a rotating selection of craft brews, from hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts.
The brewery also serves as a community hub, hosting events and live music. Food options include a menu of pub-style dishes designed to complement their beers. Temblor’s innovative approach to brewing has earned them a loyal following among local beer enthusiasts.
Crusader Brewing Overview
Crusader Brewing focuses on creating bold, flavorful beers in a cozy taproom setting. The brewery prides itself on experimenting with unique ingredients and brewing techniques. Their beer lineup often includes seasonal specialties alongside year-round favorites.
Visitors can enjoy flights to sample multiple brews or grab a pint of their preferred style. Crusader Brewing has become known for its friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable staff, always ready to discuss their latest creations with patrons.
Great Change Brewing Highlights
Great Change Brewing offers a diverse range of craft beers in a welcoming environment. The brewery emphasizes sustainability in its practices, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. Their taproom features a rotating selection of house-made beers, from classic styles to innovative blends.
Food trucks often park outside, providing tasty pairings for the brewery’s offerings. Great Change also hosts regular events, including trivia nights and live music performances, fostering a sense of community among its patrons.
Dionysus Brewing Introduction
Dionysus Brewing specializes in barrel-aged and sour beers, setting it apart in Bakersfield’s craft beer landscape. The brewery’s intimate taproom offers a unique experience for beer aficionados seeking complex flavors. Dionysus is known for its small-batch releases and limited-edition brews.
Visitors can expect a rotating tap list featuring experimental and traditional styles. The brewery’s focus on artisanal techniques has garnered attention from craft beer enthusiasts beyond Bakersfield.
Lengthwise Brewing Company Insight
Lengthwise Brewing Company, established in 2002, is one of Bakersfield’s longest-running craft breweries. With multiple locations, including a brewery and brewpub, Lengthwise offers a wide-ranging beer selection. Their beers can be found on tap at various local restaurants and bars.
The brewery’s pub-style food menu complements their craft brews. Lengthwise’s longevity in the local beer scene speaks to their consistent quality and community involvement. Their taprooms serve as popular gathering spots for locals and visitors alike.
2nd Phase Brewing Exploration
2nd Phase Brewing brings a fresh perspective to Bakersfield’s craft beer scene. The brewery focuses on creating approachable beers while also offering more adventurous options for seasoned craft beer drinkers. Their taproom provides a relaxed atmosphere for enjoying their latest brews.
Food options at 2nd Phase often include collaborations with local eateries or food trucks. The brewery hosts regular events, including beer release parties and tasting sessions, engaging the community in their brewing process.
Brewery Trail Adventures
Bakersfield’s craft beer scene offers exciting opportunities for beer enthusiasts to explore local flavors. The Bakersfield Kern County Brewery Trail provides a curated experience of the city’s top breweries, while hidden gems await discovery off the main path.
Mapping the Bakersfield Kern County Brewery Trail
The Bakersfield Kern County Brewery Trail showcases the city’s thriving craft beer culture. Participants can pick up a Brewery Trail Passport at any participating location. As they visit each brewery, they collect stamps to earn prizes.
The trail features a diverse selection of breweries, each offering unique ales and IPAs. Tasting rooms along the route provide opportunities to sample locally-brewed creations. Beer enthusiasts can expect to find hoppy West Coast IPAs, rich stouts, and refreshing lagers.
Many breweries on the trail offer tours, allowing visitors to learn about the brewing process. Some locations also feature food pairings or live entertainment to enhance the experience.
Breweries Off the Beaten Path
Beyond the official trail, Bakersfield boasts several hidden brewery gems. These lesser-known establishments often experiment with unique flavors and brewing techniques.
Visitors might stumble upon small-batch breweries tucked away in industrial areas or residential neighborhoods. These spots frequently offer a more intimate tasting experience, with brewers often on hand to discuss their craft.
Some off-trail breweries collaborate with local businesses, creating special brews that incorporate Kern County flavors. Others may share space with wineries, offering beer and wine enthusiasts a chance to imbibe both beverages under one roof.
Exploring these hidden breweries can lead to discovering new favorite brews and supporting local artisans.
Beer Varieties and Local Specialties
Bakersfield’s craft beer scene offers a diverse range of beer styles and flavors. India Pale Ales (IPAs) are particularly popular, with local breweries crafting both West Coast and hazy New England-style varieties.
Many Bakersfield breweries produce crisp lagers and refreshing wheat beers, perfect for the city’s warm climate. Stouts and porters also feature prominently, often infused with local ingredients like coffee or vanilla.
Seasonal specialties are common, with pumpkin ales in autumn and fruit-forward beers in summer. Some breweries experiment with barrel-aging techniques, creating complex flavors in their stronger ales and stouts.
California’s hop-growing regions influence the local beer scene, resulting in fresh-hopped ales during harvest season. Sour beers and wild ales have gained popularity, showcasing the brewers’ creativity and skill.
Local breweries often collaborate, producing unique limited-edition beers that blend different styles and techniques. These collaborations highlight the community spirit of Bakersfield’s craft beer industry.
Tasting flights are widely available, allowing visitors to sample a variety of local craft beers in one sitting. This provides an excellent opportunity to explore the range of flavors and styles produced in Bakersfield.
Pairing Food with Local Beers
Bakersfield’s craft beer scene offers exciting opportunities for food pairing. Local breweries and restaurants collaborate to create memorable flavor combinations.
Dionysus Brewing pairs well with bold, spicy dishes. Their hoppy IPAs complement Mexican cuisine, enhancing the flavors of tacos and burritos.
Temblor Brewing Company’s light lagers match perfectly with fresh salads and grilled fish. The crisp notes cut through rich dressings and complement delicate seafood.
For hearty meals, Lengthwise Brewing Company’s stouts and porters shine. These dark beers pair excellently with barbecue ribs or chocolate desserts.
Bootleggers Craft Pub & Eatery specializes in beer and food pairings. Their menu features dishes designed to complement specific beer styles.
When pairing, consider these guidelines:
- Match intensity: Bold beers with flavorful foods
- Find complements: Malty beers with roasted meats
- Create contrast: Hoppy beers with creamy dishes
Experimenting with local beers and foods can lead to surprising and delightful combinations. Bakersfield’s craft breweries often host pairing events, offering opportunities to explore new flavors.
Events and Community Engagement
Bakersfield’s craft beer scene thrives on community involvement and exciting events. The annual Bakersfield Country & Craft Beer Festival stands out as a highlight in the local beer calendar.
This festival, organized by the Active 20-30 Club, brings together over 25 breweries and restaurants. It offers attendees a chance to sample a wide variety of craft beers while supporting local children’s charities.
The Iron Lily Venue hosts this popular event, creating a vibrant atmosphere in Downtown Bakersfield. Live music adds to the festive ambiance, making it a must-attend for beer enthusiasts and music lovers alike.
Local breweries often host their own events, fostering a sense of community among craft beer aficionados. These gatherings range from tap takeovers to beer pairing dinners, showcasing the creativity of Bakersfield’s brewers.
Temblor Brewing Company, a cornerstone of the local craft brewery scene, has become a hub for beer-related activities since its opening in 2015. Their events contribute to the growing appreciation for craft beer in the city.
Bakersfield’s microbreweries frequently collaborate on special releases, further strengthening the bonds within the brewing community. These partnerships often result in unique, limited-edition beers that generate excitement among local beer lovers.
The Art of Craft Beer Making
Craft beer making blends science and artistry. Brewers combine traditional techniques with innovative approaches to create unique flavors and styles.
The process begins with selecting quality ingredients. Malted grains, hops, yeast, and water form the foundation of every craft beer.
Creativity shines in recipe development. Brewers experiment with different grain bills, hop varieties, and adjuncts to achieve distinctive taste profiles.
Microbreweries often push boundaries with experimentally inspired brews. They might incorporate unusual ingredients like fruits, spices, or even coffee.
Temperature control and timing are crucial. Precise mashing, boiling, and fermentation schedules impact the final product’s character.
Craft brewers pay close attention to every detail. From water chemistry adjustments to dry-hopping techniques, each step influences the beer’s outcome.
Many craft breweries embrace barrel aging. This process imparts complex flavors from wood and previous contents like whiskey or wine.
Quality control is essential. Brewers regularly taste and test their creations to ensure consistency and excellence.
Craft beer making requires patience. Some styles take weeks or months to develop their full flavor potential.
The art of craft brewing continues to evolve. Brewers constantly seek new ways to surprise and delight beer enthusiasts with their creations.
Visiting Bakersfield’s Breweries
Bakersfield boasts a thriving craft beer scene with several local breweries worth exploring. Temblor Brewing Company stands out as a popular destination for beer enthusiasts. Their taproom offers a wide selection of house-made brews in a welcoming atmosphere.
Dionysus Brewing is another must-visit spot for craft beer lovers in Bakersfield. Known for their innovative flavors and styles, this brewery has gained a loyal following among locals and visitors alike.
Lengthwise Brewing Company operates multiple locations throughout Bakersfield, making it easy to sample their beers across town. Their original brewery and taproom provides a cozy setting to enjoy their signature ales and lagers.
Beer Billy’s Brewery and Crusader Brewing round out the local craft beer options. These smaller operations offer unique brews and intimate tasting experiences.
Many Bakersfield breweries participate in the Kern County Brewery Trail. This self-guided tour encourages visitors to explore multiple local breweries, with the chance to win prizes for completing the trail.
When planning a brewery visit in Bakersfield, it’s advisable to check operating hours in advance. Some taprooms have limited hours or are only open on weekends. Designated drivers or rideshare services are recommended for safe transportation between breweries.
