Craft Beer in Novato

Head to Bel Marin Keys to find Adobe Creek Brewing, another fantastic Novato based micro-brewery. Craft beer drinkers love Adobe Creeks’ hop forward flavors and clean tasting lagers. The brewery has a fun, vibrant taproom that welcomes both kids and dogs, and has a room filled with games like pinball, darts, and more. Try one of Adobe Creek’s six original craft beers, made with robust yet refreshingly fruity flavors. Each drink has a memorable name, some with a local twist, like Invisible Peak Imperial IPA, named after the often-invisible peak of Mount Tamalpais.

BeerCraft on Redwood Boulevard is the second brick-and-mortar location for the BeerCraft company, which operates a popular online beer club, delivering hard-to-find beers to aficionados across America. For beer drinkers who want to enjoy craft beer served by experts, a visit to BeerCraft is a must. The store carries both bottles and a rotating selection of beers on tap, and the staff are ready and able to share the kind of insider knowledge that will enhance your appreciation of different styles of ale.

Down Grant Avenue, you’ll find the “only in Marin” touch that adds more local color to your beer-sampling adventure. Bicycle Brüstop, a locally owned store serving Marin’s enthusiastic cycling community, has something to offer beer drinkers too. If you want to say you enjoyed a beer in a bike store, the Brüstop can pour you one out. You might find yourself rubbing shoulders with some mountain bike riders, unwinding with a beer after a day on the trails. These are the kind of beer-loving experiences worth seeking out.

Finnegan’s Marin Restaurant and Bar on Grant Avenue combines American bar and grill sensibilities with traditional Irish pub fare, like shepherd’s pie, and corned beef and cabbage. Pair that with an Irish cider or a well-poured pint of Guinness and you’re in Irish pub heaven. On a sunny day, enjoy your food and drink outside on their pet-friendly patio, plus enjoy live music on most weekends.

HenHouse Brewing Co., best known for its beloved Big Chicken double IPA, opened its third location in Downtown Novato, dubbed the Novato Record Room. Founded in 2011 in Santa Rosa, HenHouse Brewing Co, is a renowned craft brewery known for its exceptional beers. Fueled by a passion for brewing and a commitment to innovation, they consistently push boundaries, experimenting with flavors to craft unique brews, from hop-forward IPAs to rich stouts. The Record Room offers an inviting, indoor and outdoor type atmosphere that seamlessly blends industrial chic with a family-friendly beer garden vibe.

Rounding out a beer-lovers tour of Novato, in Vintage Oaks retail complex next to Moylan’s, you’ll find the HopMonk Tavern, a contemporary brewpub with a great menu of well-executed staples like pork sliders and carnitas tacos, a solid menu of bottled beers and their own freshly-brewed drafts, including an IPA, a Hefeweizen and a Kellerbier. The HopMonk Tavern is also the place to catch live music in Novato, featuring a broad selection of acts, including classic Americana singer-songwriters. A live show at the HopMonk is the perfect way to toast your latest adventure of beer discovery in Novato.

Indian Valley Brewing on Railroad Avenue is a hidden gem of a taproom. This three-barrel nano-brewery offers eight delicious craft beers on tap. Indian Valley Brewing is known for having quality beer made with bold and balanced flavors. Owners, brewers and Novato residents Matt and Joe Tachis are committed to making their customers happy with the best hospitality in town. Indian Valley Brewing hosts a wide range of the food trucks on weekends that’ll pair perfectly with a cold beer in hand.

Family owned and run, Mantra Wines has entered the micro-brewing game as Mantra Brewing Co. Mantra began brewing beer at the end of 2023. They tapped into their first keg of Mantra’s Double IPA named Dudenheimer, the tribute beer to owner Mike’s brother who inspired much of why Mantra began their journey into craft beer. Mantra may be relatively new to the craft beer scene but they’re not to be underestimated. You can enjoy a craft beer on draft or by the can. Already a respected name in the North Bay wine industry, Mantra will likely be brewing up much more in the future. So, stop in and take a seat in their cozy tasting room, you can often expect live music on the weekends.

And there’s more. Head over to Rowland Way and pay a visit to Moylan’s Brewery and Restaurant. There, you’ll find an impressive selection of locally-brewed ales, including their signature “wee heavy” Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale, and Danny’s Irish Style Red Ale. Moylan’s offers a solid selection of pub grub, including a hefty serving of garlic fries, their own take on Irish stew and brick oven pizza. But it’s the Kilt Lifter, Tipperary Pale Ale and other Scots-Irish selections that keep beer aficionados coming back for more.

Pods Brews Brewery can be found nestled behind the scenes of Trek Winery’s production facility in the heart of Downtown Novato. The Taproom boasts an impressive lineup of 25 taps, showcasing a delightful blend of their signature brews alongside selections from local guest breweries, ciders, and kombucha. When you visit their taproom, you’ll be greeted with the opportunity to savor a pint of handcrafted beers, kick back and watch some sports, and play a friendly game of pool or skee-ball. All of Pods craft beers are also available for purchase at Trek Winery.

At the base of Novato’s highest peak, Mt. Burdell, you’ll find Trailhead. Trailhead’s dining menu covers everything from breakfast bites to juicy burgers at dinner time. But what’s really impressive is their selection of craft beers sourced from throughout the Bay Area. Their refrigerated section is always stocked with something new in the brewing community, while hyperlocal and regional beer flows from the taps, along with local wine. Can’t decide what to drink? Ask for a flight of beer.