Kern River Brewing Company

tjensen3618

California

4.53/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

I came up to the Kern Valley for a day trip to watch my brother compete in a Mtn. Bike race. I've previously had a few beers of theirs, so I made it a point to stop by here for lunch and check out the brewery.

Its right in the cool little tourist area of Kernville, the perfect setting for a small high-quality brewery. For my beers, I ordered the Sequoia Red and a seasonal Saison, both were really good as expected. The food was on par with the quality of their Beers, my Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and fries was really good, and my girlfriends fish and chips were also fantastic. Service was good, and the place had this real nice laid back atmosphere which lets you know that you're not dealing with the LA type of people.

I need to find more excuses for me to get up there, day at the lake, camping, riding... ah screw it, i'll just come up for the brewery.

03-23-2010 16:28:23 | More by tjensen3618

MilwaukeeCrusher

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +14.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Another place I eagerly anticipated, although my Garmin decided to take me down the many twisty and windy roads from the west (note don't always listen to GPS, see my Charleville Winery and Brewery review). Once here, the outside had a saloon feel to it and to a lesser degree inside. I mentioned to the server from how far I had come to try their beer and she in turn went and got the head brewer. Really nice people and outstanding beer. About all I can say negative is that it would be nice to try their vaunted IPAs there, but any brewery can say that. Selection might not be quite as broad as others, but they get away with it with a roster full of winners. Almost exceeded my already high expectations in every way possible. Perfect score.

03-15-2013 22:52:17 | More by MilwaukeeCrusher

bernie

California

4.78/5  rDev +9.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

We are big fans of Kern River Brewing, so we drove up for the release and this weekend's re-release of Dirty Hippie (6th Anniversary Imperial Red Ale) which has yet to be bottled, plus they had a special fresh hoped cask of Just Outstanding that was fantastic. We enjoy visiting Kern River Brewing for their beers, plus it provides us a restful weekend vacation away from trappings of Los Angeles. We take our 90 pound fetching machine, Chocolate Lab, who gets to play by day and hang with us at the brewery by night. The brewery offers a pet friendly patio and back yard area and it’s not uncommon to find several dogs supporting their owners thirst for a good craft beer. We have nothing but great things to say about the staff. This trip we overheard a customer tell her server she had not had better service in the 27 years of eating out. That's a testament to the staff and what we experience every time we visit Kern River Brewing Co. Kernville, gateway to the Sequoias offers all kinds of recreation activities and a great place to quench your thirst after a day of rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, fishing, hiking, biking or just reading a good book by the river.

07-16-2012 21:49:43 | More by bernie

bierfreundlich

California

4.47/5  rDev +2.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

Damn good brewery and establishment! Situated alongside the mountains and overlooking the small town of Kernville, this place is astoundingly beautiful! It has the feel of pulling into an old mountain town saloon. And it is very warm and welcoming inside, made almost entirely out of wood. This place feels like home. The inside seating and bar is not too large but able to accommodate somewhere around 100-200 people. There is a small outdoor patio deck area which is nice during the summer. The service is good at the bar, mediocre if you are waiting for food. I can't say whether the food is that good or not. I usually just order a basket of french fries (but they are good). I don't think they offer much in the way of vegetarian or vegan. Other than the place itself...the beer kills! They offer some of the best beer in the United States--particularly their Just Outstanding IPA and Citra DIPA. The Just Outstanding is a must try and will probably always be available. Any of their seasonal or specialty beers are definitely worth a try. This place is an outstanding brewery, definitely receiving more recognition and growing in popularity (as it so humbly deserves). It is a bit off the beaten path, but for anyone who likes outdoor sports (especially kayaking) it is an awesome visit.

01-14-2012 10:23:40 | More by bierfreundlich

MrVonzipper

California

4.8/5  rDev +10.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Finally made it up to this majestic place for the Citra release this last Friday with rtaps and MrHirshybar. I wanted to make sure we got there super early to get everything we wanted and needed. MrHirshybar was running a little late for the carpool. In the end we got there at the perfect time, putting us about 5th in line 40-45 min before the doors opened. Shortly after there was about 40-50 people behind us before they opened. The process in which the brewery took care of of the bottles and growlers seemed pretty flawless, unless you were in a huge hurry, cuz it got a little crazy packed.

The place was much bigger than I expected. There was a bar with about 12 seats, about 20 tables inside and about 10 tables on the elevated patio that overlooks the mountain valley. We had a table in the upper area overlooking the bar and brewing equipment.

Even though it was crazy busy and the servers were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Everyone that worked there was extremely nice and helpful and it seemed all the customers, even those who missed out on bottles, were in a great mood and enjoying their drafts and growlers.

I didn't get a chance to try any food as I was saving every dime I have for the amazing beer I was drinking and taking home. The menu although pretty small looked good and appropriate. I got to try Class X on Nitro which is absolutely fucking amazing, and ended up having a couple. I could drink only Citra and Class X for the rest of my life they are so goddamn good!

I love this place. The drive is awesome and beautiful. The people are great. And the beer is ridiculous!

11-28-2011 07:13:31 | More by MrVonzipper

rtaps

California

4.36/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

11/25/11. Drove up for the citra release. long drive but very worth it. inside had a much bigger dinning area than i expected. the atmosphere was great, with an amazing view of the canyon with all the trees turning fall colors. The place was busy due to the release but the service was still very good. They had "Class X" on tap witch was amazing. 7 of there own beers on tap and you can't go wrong with any. didn't try the food but someone in our group did try the egg rolls and was satisfied. pricing was very reasonable.
Overall great place wish it was next door to my house.

11-26-2011 05:13:18 | More by rtaps

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.03/5  rDev -7.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $

Had a bit of difficulty in finding the place, but it was at night, I was a little tired. Pull up, its all wood outside, looks like an old western saloon. Inside, open area, brewing setup visible from the bar. Smaller capacity than you would think. Real homey.

Service depends on whom, lots of young girls which are nice to look at, some old codger guys who are more informed. Everyone is plenty cool. The beers are very good. Good pub grub. Prices are on the kind side. I love a place with this high of quality charging less than places that serve crap. Seriously, so many shitholes in Reno charging $5 a pint for lesser beer.

Not a wide variety of beers, but what they have, is good.

11-17-2011 01:21:39 | More by Beerandraiderfan

nickname

California

3.65/5  rDev -16.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 2 | $$

A: Country mountain small town vibe, look and feel.

Q: No complaints. The kitchen was closed early so I didn't get to eat dinner. So I had just a beer.

S: The woman at the bar was super friendly and attentive.

S2: Their selection during my visit was pretty scarce and weak. There were only about 4 beers on tap, all of which are readily available in stores, though, they did have the XPA which I tasted was like a "light" IPA. meh. Next time I'll plan around one of my favorite releases.

F: The menu looks really good. I arrived too late. Next time :)

V: No clue, I paid maybe 5 bucks for a beer and drink about half of it. Slow and maybe an off night probably with some great stuff in the tanks.

10-12-2011 04:17:51 | More by nickname

buzzardman

California

4.65/5  rDev +6.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

this place has really stepped up it's beer game over the last few years. I camp up in the sequoia national forest a couple times a year just north of this place and I now always stop on
my way back home.

the place has the best customer service and most friendly people working here, must be because it's the small town life style.

the food is good and probably better than most brew pubs I've been to. I usually do burger and fries with a beer. I've had a few of the beers they brew on location and they have always been excellent. now that they've won gold for the citra ipa I'm planning on making a trip up soon just to try this beer and do some
fly fishing.

10-04-2011 15:15:10 | More by buzzardman

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$$

(Visited 01/2011): Kern River Brewing is located in Kernville near the Sequoia National Forest after a beautiful drive through the mountains along the Kern river (with signs warning of the dangers and death count associated with said river). There are actually a couple different ways to get there. The brewpub is on Sierra Way right outside the town center. There is a private parking lot.

The outside has kind of a lodge look, and the interior is spacious and multi-level. The brewing equipment is easily visible from most of the brewpub. Lots of wood and table seating, and their beers are featured in large framed pieces hanging behind the bar.

Kern River has 6 of their beers on tap, and offers a sampler of 4 for $5. They included on my visit Isabella Blonde, Sequoia Red, Class V Stout, Pinot Noir Barrel Aged Saison, Holiday Ale and the very good Citra IIPA. All in all the beers are above average.

Service on a relatively slow afternoon was good. Our server wasn't a beer expert but was friendly and knew enough about their beers. She was also generous with additional samples.

Food at Kern River is pretty good too. Fish Tacos and burgers all around were enjoyed by our group.

Overall this place was well worth the 1.5hr drive from Tehachapi, and is one I would make again on any future visits to the area.

09-04-2011 00:48:42 | More by Dogbrick