Moving to the Central Valley...How's the Scene?

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by akgroom, Jan 23, 2013.

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  1. akgroom

    akgroom Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2010 Georgia


    It just feels so strange considering we have things like Dust Bowl (which seems to be going well) and bars beginning to pop up that are looking to have more craft selection (Camp 4 and 10 East). Maybe I'm just being overly optimistic about that stuff. Maybe we've just accepted that we have to drive elsewhere, thus hiding what little demand we have in the numbers of stores outside of our area.
     
  2. No1Smitty

    No1Smitty Initiate (0) Nov 7, 2011 California

    This is what we have to put up with unfortunately. If you want a decent tap selection "in" Modesto, there is P.Wexford's, appetiez restaurant, and the soon to be opening Rivets. The closest store that isn't run of the mill is Pete's in Tracy. And Perry's in Livermore.
     
  3. Johnnyramirez

    Johnnyramirez Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2012 California

    At BevMo if you know the beer guy you can probably have them order fresh stuff, ditto for good liquor stores. I helped Pete's choose some of the Lost Abbey and Clown Shoes stuff they're getting. But the valley does suck ass. If you ever need muling, I'm close to Livermore so I can hook you up. Make the drive shorter.

    And can we plan a valley bottleshare?
     
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  4. jtmartino

    jtmartino Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2010 California

    Compared to the central valley?

    LMAO.


    Truth.

    Or you could move. Livermore is an option - I know a guy who works at Gallo and makes the commute daily. This is one conversation where the statement "you should move to Tracy" would be acceptable.
     
  5. MastaShonuf

    MastaShonuf Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2013 California

    Welcome again to California. Commuting into Modesto is always a better idea if you are looking to geographically put yourself in a more desirable beer local. You are really within a hour of a lot of places. Just get there early and chill the rest of the day. Better yet. Motel 6 it.

    If you have good self control, drive out to Russian River and buy mass amounts of beer on the way back. You hit so many places that you could hibernate at home the next month.
     
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  6. akgroom

    akgroom Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2010 Georgia

    Any info on Rivets? I've seen a lot of stuff about it, but nothing about actual food or tap list.
     
  7. No1Smitty

    No1Smitty Initiate (0) Nov 7, 2011 California

    It is another Restaurant from the owners of P.Wexfords. It is supposed to have 20 plus tap handles. It is also two blocks from my house ! :grinning:
     
  8. brenty0man

    brenty0man Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2013 Texas

    You are close to fresno, where we have a brewery: Tioga Sequoia. and a decent bottle shop in the south fresno area. Also, Firestone is pretty close...
     
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  9. danscott

    danscott Initiate (0) Jul 15, 2006 California

    Oh, no no. I meant this in the context of people recommending he go hang out in San Jose when practically any other spot in the Bay Area is far more desirable.
     
  10. KiMiRaiK

    KiMiRaiK Initiate (0) Dec 24, 2012 Washington

    A wasteland indeed. I'm sorry to hear you've had the misfortune of having to move to the central valley. Distro is horrific and it most likely wont be getting any better any time soon. All the advice given above is your best beat. 1.5-2 north and west you will find an awesome selection, Livermore and Tracy are closer and they too have a great selection.

    Modesto & Turlock Bevmos are your go to spots locally. Liquor King in Ceres is a pretty good spot as well and the owner seems to really care about getting good brew. When I lived there i would bounce between these three places as there were slight variances in their selection and you would be able to find a beer at one place, that the other two didn't carry. Hope this helps.
     
  11. KiMiRaiK

    KiMiRaiK Initiate (0) Dec 24, 2012 Washington

    He is no where near Fresno and Firestone is like 4-5 hrs away...
     
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  12. Johnnyramirez

    Johnnyramirez Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2012 California

    Tracy isn't great by any means, but it's better than anywhere else in the valley. Livermore is awesome though. Worth the extra 15-20 minute ride
     
  13. KiMiRaiK

    KiMiRaiK Initiate (0) Dec 24, 2012 Washington

    When you live in Modesto, even the Tracy Bevmo is awesome. I haven't been to Pete's but I've heard good things.
     
  14. Johnnyramirez

    Johnnyramirez Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2012 California

    Pete's is cool. My go to spot here in town. Usually make weekly trips to Livermore though. And I can't imagine the BevMo in Modesto if the Tracy one is an upgrade.
     
  15. CenCalMario

    CenCalMario Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2009 California

    There's The Abbey in Stockton too.
     
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  16. smitty5245

    smitty5245 Initiate (0) Mar 8, 2011 California

    Lots of talk about a bottle share in the valley... Just moved to Tracy from Sacramento to discover this beer wasteland called the Central Valley. Lets get this organized?
     
    DovaliHops likes this.
  17. Johnnyramirez

    Johnnyramirez Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2012 California

    I'm in Tracy. Looks like the rest of the Central Valley BA's are around Modesto. But we're hoping to organize something. I invited you to our BM convo.
     
  18. Devi0us

    Devi0us Savant (1,124) May 3, 2011 California
    Trader

    Yeah but most of the time its garbage on tap...However, there is another brewpub slated to open up this summer in Lodi called Porter's...supposedly its going to have 30 taps ALL Craft Beer...you heard it here first...
     
  19. akgroom

    akgroom Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2010 Georgia

    Also just noticed this come across on Facebook today:

    http://cvbrewfest.com

    It's the first annual Central Valley Brewfest. Clearly being spearheaded by the fake craft brew bunch as it has a ton of macros and a couple of actual craft brews, but it's a start. Maybe if we show up, it will show a interest and at least send a message to other craft breweries? Just a thought.
     
  20. Johnnyramirez

    Johnnyramirez Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2012 California

    I saw this and saw that Batch 19, AB, Blue Moon, Leinenkugel and Hornsby were all there. But I'd probably be down to go just to drink Dust Bowl and Alaskan.
     
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