This Must Be the Place

After 34 episodes, we're signing off — for now.

Our host, Allo Gilinsky, has landed an exciting full-time role with Fieldwork Brewing Company, and we couldn't be more proud. But Sonoma County has too many stories left to tell, too many people worth meeting, and too many glasses worth raising. So we'll leave it at this: never say never.

In this final episode, Allo reflects on what Sonoma County means to him — from biking through Ives Park as a kid to discovering the Sofa Street Parade as a grown adult who finally understands what makes slow-paced places worth coming back to. He shares some of the people and moments from 34 episodes that stayed with him: the craft beer pioneers still laying pavement after 30 years, the artists and chefs and nonprofit leaders building something worth showing up for, and the community that made this podcast feel like home.

We hope this show inspired you to get out and explore and helped build a deeper connection to our community. We hope you'll continue to engage with your neighbors and support all the wonderful happenings in our backyard. Support the arts. Try something new. Say hi to Allo at a Fieldwork event this summer.

We loved every conversation, every story, and every guest who trusted us with their time. Thank you.

Cheers to Sonoma County, and cheers to all of you who listened.

Host:  Allo Gilinsky

Executive Producer:  Sarah Hehman

Spotify recognized This Must Be the Place in 2025 as a Most Shared, Talked About, and Instant Hit Show. Browse the full archive on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

This episode originally aired on 11/9/25.

Be sure to check out Santa Rosa Symphony's upcoming concert, Celebrate America! on April 12, 2026 at the Green Music Center.

Celebrate America in Music and Spirit with a family-friendly fun and inspiring concert honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States, featuring music that reflects the rich and varied voices of the American landscape. Featuring music from Copland, Scott Joplin, and Gershwin.

Inside the Santa Rosa Symphony’s upcoming season — and how classical music can bring a community together.

What role does a symphony play in a modern community? In this episode, Francesco Lecce-Chong, music director and conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony, joins the show to preview the upcoming season and share his vision for making orchestral music accessible, engaging, and relevant.

Francesco reflects on his journey to the podium, his approach to interpreting scores, and how he builds programming that reaches new audiences — from the Classical Series and Pops Series to the Family Concert Series. He also discusses the Symphony’s deep commitment to music education in Santa Rosa schools, including the First Symphony Project, and why early exposure to live orchestral music matters.

The conversation explores how to get new listeners hooked on classical music, what Francesco still dreams of conducting, and why storytelling, passion, and thoughtful risk-taking are essential to keeping the art form alive.

The episode closes with a clean, contemplative pairing from host Allo Gilinsky, the Craft Beer Concierge, featuring “Holy Hell” Helles Lager from Laughing Monk Brewing — a bright, easy-drinking German-style lager that mirrors the balance and clarity of a well-played symphony.

🎼 Perfect for classical music fans, local arts supporters, and anyone curious about live music in Sonoma County.

Resources Mentioned

• ⁠Santa Rosa Symphony⁠: The orchestra led by Francesco Lecce Chong.

• ⁠Family Concert Series⁠: The Santa Rosa Symphony partners with the Charles M. Schulz Museum for a concert series aimed at introducing young people to classical music.

• Maestro David Robertson: Conductor and mentor who provided valuable advice to Francesco.

• ⁠"First Symphony Project"⁠: A four-year initiative by Francesco to commission new symphonies for both the Eugene and Santa Rosa orchestras.

• Mahler's Third Symphony: A significant upcoming performance mentioned by Francesco.

• Richard Strauss's Rosenkavalier: An opera Francesco expressed interest in conducting.

Featured Beer

⁠Laughing Monk Brewery⁠, ⁠Holy Hell⁠

This is a special encore presentation of Episode 6, originally aired on September 28, 2025.

As PEANUTS marks its 75th anniversary, this episode goes inside how Charles M. Schulz’s work is preserved, extended, and reimagined — from museum archives to new stories for today’s audiences.

As the PEANUTS comic strip celebrates its 75th anniversary, this episode goes behind the scenes of one of the most influential works in cartoon history. We go inside the enduring legacy of PEANUTS — from Charles M. Schulz’s creative process to how Snoopy and Charlie Brown still connect with new generations.

Benjamin Clark, curator of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, joins the show to explore the lasting impact of Charles M. Schulz and why characters like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang continue to resonate decades later. Benjamin shares insights into preserving Schulz’s work, discovering personal artifacts, and honoring both Schulz’s artistic vision and his humanity.

The conversation then expands into the present day with Mary Valencia-Shyne, senior artist at the Schulz Studio, who discusses contemporary cartooning and what it takes to protect and extend the PEANUTS legacy. Mary offers a behind-the-scenes look at how new PEANUTS content is created — from product approvals to Apple TV+ projects like Camp Snoopy and One-of-a-Kind Marcie — while also sharing her journey as a modern cartoonist, educator, and graphic novelist.

From classic comic strips to today’s digital platforms, this episode explores how PEANUTS continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.

✏️ Perfect for PEANUTS fans, artists, cartoon lovers, and anyone curious about creativity, legacy, and pop culture history.

Featured Guests:

Benjamin Clark, Curator at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center

⁠Mary Valencia-Shyne⁠, senior artist at the Schulz Studio

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• ⁠Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center⁠: The central hub for all things “Peanuts,” located in Santa Rosa, California. Visitors can explore exhibitions, view original art, and learn about Schulz's life and work.

• ⁠Peanuts Official Website: For character profiles, comic strip archives, and educational activities.⁠

• Rob Armstrong, Cartoonist

• Broom-Hilda comic strip created by cartoonist Russell Myers

• “Happiness is a Warm Puppy” Book

• ⁠Warm Puppy Cafe⁠, the cafe where Charles Schulz spent every morning

• Craig Schulz

• Beetle Bailey Comic Strip

• Pogo Comic Strip

• Shuntaro Tanikawa

• ⁠It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown⁠

• ⁠A Charlie Brown Christmas⁠

• ⁠Charlie Brown's All-Stars!⁠

• Lee Mendelson 

• Bill Melendez

• Vince Guaraldi

• Apple TV+: A streaming service featuring new Peanuts content

• You and Me on Repeat: A young adult graphic novel by Mary Valencia Shyne 

• Center for Cartoon Studies: An educational institution where Mary studied

• Webtoons: An online platform for digital comics

• TikTok: A social media platform that Mary plans to use for her book sales 

• Storygraph

• Libraries: Mentioned as a key venue for discovering new graphic novels 

• Penguin Random House: Mary's former employer in digital publishing 

• Manga

Sonoma County filmmaker Miles Levin — writer, director, and executive producer of the new film Under The Lights joins us to discuss his feature. Miles is an award-winning filmmaker and public speaker living with epilepsy, and his film is doing something rare: using cinematic storytelling to fight the stigma surrounding one of the world's most common neurological conditions.

What started as a short film in 2018 has grown into a decade-long movement, sending Miles across the country — and sparking fan art, handcrafted gifts, and tearful standing ovations along the way. Now, Under The Lights is making its homecoming as the closing night film at the Sonoma International Film Festival on Sunday, March 29th at 4:30 PM at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall.

We talk with Miles about:

• How growing up in Sonoma County shaped him as a filmmaker and why the region is an underrated filmmaking hub

• What Under The Lights is really about — and why it refuses to be a PSA

• Filming at iconic local spots like Santa Rosa High School, Coddingtown Mall, and a secret sound stage in Penngrove

• Working with an all-star cast including Nick Offerman, Randall Park, Lake Bell, and Marin Hinkle

• Running the most successful crowdfunding campaign in Seed & Spark history

• His philosophy on epilepsy stigma: "Entertainment has been our greatest enemy — but it's also our only salvation."

• What's next: a national screening tour, a theatrical run, and adapting the film into a stage play

Whether you're a film lover, a member of the epilepsy community, a Sonoma County local, or someone who's ever felt like an outsider — this episode is for you.

📍 See It Live: Under The Lights screens at the Sonoma International Film Festival 🗓 Sunday, March 29th | 🕓 4:30 PM | 📍 Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Website:https://www.underthelightsfilm.com/

• Follow on social: @underthelightsfilm

• Interested in hosting a screening? Reach out through the website.

🍺 Crack One Open

Sonoma County has been hit with an unexpected March heatwave, so we're ditching the dark beer plans in favor of something more refreshing. This week's pick is By Her Bootstraps, a White IPA from Cuver Brewing brewed in collaboration with the Sonoma County chapter of the Pink Boots Society — a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and non-binary individuals in the fermented beverage industry.

Released in honor of International Women's Month, this gold medal winner at the California State Fair is a rare and wildly drinkable White IPA that bridges two worlds — bringing Belgian beer lovers into the world of hops, and hoppy beer lovers into the world of Belgian yeast. At 5.2% ABV, it's light, spicy, earthy, and built for sunshine and good company.

Find it on draft or to-go at Cuver Brewing for a limited time only.

Craft beer fans, this one's for you. We sit down with Vinnie Cilurzo, co-owner and Director of Brewing Operations at Russian River Brewing Company, to talk about Pliny the Younger, Pliny the Elder, Blind Pig IPA, and the brewing philosophy behind one of America's most celebrated craft breweries.

Pliny the Younger 2026 Release 📅 March 20 – April 2, 2026

📍 725 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA | 700 Mitchell Lane, Windsor, CA

Vinnie and his wife Natalie Cilurzo built Russian River into a global craft beer destination. Each February, their Pliny the Younger release draws thousands of beer lovers from around the world — generating millions in economic impact for Sonoma County.

In This Episode:

• How Vinnie Cilurzo first fell in love with craft beer

• The early craft beer scene and influences like Anchor Liberty Ale and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

• The origin story of Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger

• The moment Pliny the Younger unexpectedly became the “best beer in the world”

• How Russian River grew from struggling brewpub to global destination

• The culture and community behind the famous Pliny line

• Sustainability at scale: CO₂ capture, water reuse, and local agriculture

• Why intentional growth—not rapid expansion—has guided Russian River’s success

• The future of craft beer and why lagers may be the next big wave
  

Key Takeaways from Vinnie:

🍺 Quality over growth Russian River has always prioritized beer quality and long-term sustainability over rapid expansion.

🌎 Beer as community The Pliny line isn’t just about beer—it’s about connection. People meet friends, families, and sometimes even future spouses while waiting in line.

🌿 Sustainability matters From capturing fermentation CO₂ to reusing brewery wastewater, Russian River continues to push environmental innovation in brewing.

Lightning Round Highlights:

Vinnie shares:

• His first craft beer love: Anchor Liberty Ale

• The most underrated beer style: Saison

• A beer trend he hopes sticks: lagers and lower-ABV beers

• His most surreal moment: seeing people lined up at 7AM in 2010 for Pliny the Younger

Insider Tips for Pliny the Younger:

Vinnie also shares a few tips if you're planning to attend:

• Sunday of the first weekend can be surprisingly manageable

• Dress in layers—Sonoma County mornings can be cold

Founded in 1997 and purchased by Vinnie and Natalie in 2003, Russian River Brewing Company has become one of the most influential breweries in the craft beer movement.

Known for legendary beers like:

• Pliny the Elder

• Pliny the Younger

• Blind Pig IPA

The brewery continues to define West Coast craft beer.

🍺 Crack One Open

Blind Pig IPA vs. Pliny the Elder — Which Russian River IPA Wins?

After getting to chat with Vinnie Cilurzo ahead of the Pliny the Younger release, I’m inspired to return to two classics from Russian River Brewing Company.

Pliny the Elder is still a masterclass in balance—an 8% double IPA that somehow drinks lighter and remains one of the most iconic beers in craft brewing.

Blind Pig, at 6.5%, feels like a throwback to Vinnie’s roots—hoppy, aromatic, and incredibly drinkable. Revisiting it recently, I noticed it’s evolved a bit with the modern IPA world, softer and more aromatic than I remember.

So I’ll turn it to you: Team Pliny or Team Pig?

Leave a comment after listening and help settle the debate.

Cheers! 🍻

California Artisan Cheese Festival returns to Sonoma County March 20–22, bringing together cheesemakers, farms, restaurants, and artisan food producers for three days of tastings and cheese experiences across the region.

In this episode we preview one of the most delicious weekends of the year with two conversations from inside the artisan cheese world.

First, we talk with Keith Adams of Wm. Cofield Cheese in Sebastopol about his journey to becoming a cheesemaker and what to expect at the sold-out Cheese Crawl at The Barlow on March 21.

We discuss:

• The difference between Alemar Cheese and Wm. Cofield Cheese • Why Sonoma County milk and dairy farms are essential to great cheese • His philosophy around terroir and traditional cheesemaking • The cheeses that define his work — including his celebrated cheddar

Keith also previews The Barlow Cheese Crawl in Sebastopol, a three-hour tasting experience where 12 cheesemakers pair their cheeses with local food and beverage producers.

Then we’re joined by Jane Holt and Luciana Villanueva of the California Artisan Cheese Guild, who explain how the festival works, why Sonoma County became one of America’s most exciting artisan cheese regions, and how the guild supports cheesemakers across California.

We talk about:

• What makes the California Artisan Cheese Festival unique • Current trends shaping California’s cheese industry • The future of artisan cheesemaking in the state

They also help design the ultimate first-timer itinerary for festival weekend.

If you love cheese, food festivals, and Sonoma County agriculture, this episode is your guide to the California Artisan Cheese Festival.

Festival Events Mentioned

🧀 Cheese Crawl – The Barlow (Sebastopol) A passport-style tasting event featuring cheesemakers paired with local food and beverage producers.

🧀 Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace Held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, this event brings together 25+ cheesemakers and artisan producers for one massive tasting experience.

🧀 Three Days of Cheese Experiences Farm tours, tastings, pairings, and special events take place across Sonoma County throughout the weekend.

Why Sonoma County Became a Cheese Destination

From historic dairy farms to innovative creameries, Sonoma County has become one of the leading regions for artisan cheese in the United States. The California Artisan Cheese Festival celebrates the farmers, cheesemakers, and food producers who make that possible.

Discover Sonoma County cheese, the California Artisan Cheese Festival, artisan cheesemakers, the Sebastopol Cheese Crawl at The Barlow, and the Artisan Cheese Marketplace at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds — plus conversations with Wm. Cofield cheesemaker Keith Adams and the California Artisan Cheese Guild.

🍺 Crack One Open

Beer: Sonoma Springs Brewing — Bock The Walk

Style: German Bock Lager (6.8% ABV)

Location: Sonoma County, California

With spring approaching in Sonoma County, this episode’s Crack One Open features “Bock The Walk” from Sonoma Springs Brewing.

This classic German-style bock pours deep amber with aromas of caramel, toasted bread, and toffee, followed by smooth malt sweetness and subtle dark fruit notes.

It’s also a great beer and cheese pairing — especially with aged gouda, where the cheese’s nutty crystals mirror the beer’s caramel malt character.

A perfect beer for a rainy Sonoma County afternoon, whether you grab it at Sonoma Springs Brewing or locally at Oliver’s Market.

Sonoma County beer, bock beer, Sonoma Springs Brewing, beer and cheese pairing, and Oliver’s Market finds — featured in this week’s California Artisan Cheese Festival episode.

Explore one of the most beloved Sonoma County events as we preview the Sebastopol Bluegrass & Folk Music Festival — a standout and celebrated music festival in California.

Episode Preview

Festival producer and California Bluegrass Association chair, Ted Kuster shares the story behind the festival’s 20-year legacy, the banjo traditions that power bluegrass culture, and why Sebastopol has become a hub for folk and acoustic music.Plus, hear Laurie Lewis with “Don’t Get Too Close” and get a preview of this year’s festival lineup.

Sebastopol’s beloved Bluegrass & Folk Music Festival turns 20, and this episode celebrates the history, community, and music behind one of Sonoma County’s longest-running folk traditions.

Ted Kuster, chair of the California Bluegrass Association, banjo player, and co-producer of the festival, shares how a volunteer-driven event founded by legendary banjo player Mark Hogan became a cornerstone of the region’s music scene.

Ted took over stewardship of the festival two years ago and has continued its tradition of blending traditional bluegrass, folk, old-time music, and adjacent acoustic styles while keeping the event rooted in the unique spirit of Sebastopol.

The festival takes place March 14 at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, featuring world-class performers indoors and the vibrant culture of bluegrass pickers and jam sessions on the lawn, plus workshops and an old time stompin’ square dance.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• The story behind the Sebastopol Bluegrass & Folk Music Festival • How legendary banjo player Mark Hogan founded the festival • Ted Kuster’s journey into banjo and bluegrass music • Why Sebastopol and Sonoma County have such strong folk music traditions • The culture of bluegrass pickers and jam sessions • The 20th anniversary festival lineup • The connection between Northern California folk music and Kate Wolf’s legacy • How the festival is helping nurture the next generation of musicians

2026 Festival Details

Sebastopol Bluegrass & Folk Music Festival - Tickets

📍 Sebastopol Community Cultural Center (near The Barlow)

📅 March 14

🎶 Indoor concerts + outdoor picking sessions

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly community event

The festival features five bands performing indoors, outdoor jam sessions with local pickers, and a closing community square dance.

Featured Artists

This year’s lineup celebrates the diversity of acoustic music traditions and includes:

• Laurie Lewis & Nina Gerber – headlining duo performance
• The Evie Ladin Band
• Monroe Crossing
• Five Mile Mountain Road
• Jesse Appelman’s West Coast Stringband Project
• The Manning School of Music Showcase
• Son Jarocho Cross Border Super Group

Music featured in this episode: 🎶 Laurie Lewis — “Don’t Get Too Close”

About Ted Kuster

Ted Kuster is the Chair of the California Bluegrass Association, a banjo player, and co-producer of the Sebastopol Bluegrass & Folk Music Festival. He continues the festival’s mission of celebrating traditional bluegrass while welcoming new audiences and musical influences and teaching the next generation of Bluegrass musicians.

If You Enjoyed This Episode...

Follow the podcast and share it with someone who loves bluegrass, folk music, live music in Sonoma County, or Sebastopol community events.

Crack One Open 🍺

Cooperage Brewing’s “Crispy Crusher” from Santa Rosa is the beer featured in this episode.

After talking with Ted and hearing the tunes coming to the Sebastopol Bluegrass & Folk Music Festival, it felt like the perfect time to open something crisp. Cooperage, known for bold hop-forward beers, takes a different turn here with a light, dry pale ale brewed with pilsner malt and a touch of corn.

It’s grassy, refreshing, and perfectly suited for upbeat bluegrass and a little Sonoma County sunshine — a crispy crusher indeed.

Best Picture Predictions, Academy Awards Buzz & Rialto’s Oscars Night for a Cause

🎬 Oscars season is here — and we’re breaking it down from a Sonoma County perspective.

Joined by Ky Boyd and Joe Mulcare of Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol, we dive into this year’s Academy Awards race — from Best Picture front-runners and bold predictions to the films that truly deserve the big screen.

Plus: details on Rialto’s live Oscars Night on March 15 benefiting Food For Thought.

Inside the conversation:

⭐ What Oscar season looks like from inside an independent movie theater 🎥 Why nominated films often hit differently on the big screen vs. streaming 🏆 This year’s chaotic Oscars race — and what’s driving it 🎭 Under appreciated films and surprising nominees 🎬 The performances and directors that left a lasting impact 🔊 Why editing, cinematography, and sound design deserve more love

We also dive into:

• Must-watch nominees to catch before Oscar night

• Films sparking the biggest post-screening conversations at the Rialto

• Bold predictions — including who should win vs. who will win

• Possible dark horses and surprise winners

• The movie most likely to age best over the next decade

Plus — if you're looking for a fun, communal way to watch the Oscars:

📍 Rialto Cinemas’ Annual Awards Night — March 15 in Sebastopol

Experience the Academy Awards live on the big screen with:

✨ Red carpet 🍷 Appetizers & drinks 🎭 Costume contest 🎲 Trivia & prizes

All benefiting Food For Thought, supporting vital nutrition services across Sonoma County.

Whether you're filling out a ballot, catching up on nominees, or planning your Oscar watch party — this episode is your local guide to the 2026 Academy Awards.

🎟️ Featured Topics

• Best Picture contenders like Sinners and One Battle After Another

• Under-the-radar favorites including Train Dreams and Eddington

• Acting race insights — including potential career wins

• International and animated category predictions

• How Oscar nominations shape theater audiences

🍿 Coming Soon at Rialto Cinemas

• Keep an eye out for upcoming releases discussed in this episode, including:

• Calais Malaga
• The Bride
• Project Hail Mary
  

🍺 Crack One Open

To toast Oscars season, this episode highlights a true classic: Duvel, the iconic Belgian Golden Strong Ale. Effervescent, dry, and deceptively powerful at 8.5%, Duvel pours with a signature fluffy head and bright, sparkling character — offering aromas of pear, honeysuckle, and subtle spice.

Award-winning in its own right and an inspiration for beers like Russian River’s Damnation, Duvel is a celebratory choice worthy of any Oscar watch party — pairing perfectly with appetizers, canapés, and even a few deviled eggs.

A timeless beer for a night of timeless cinema.

🎧 Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of film, culture, and Sonoma County.

In this episode, we preview the 14th annual TEDx Sonoma County event happening March 7, 2026 at the Jackson Theater in Santa Rosa.

Executive Producer Marilyn Nagel joins us to discuss this year’s theme:

“Mindshift: Power of Perspective.”

In a world shaped by AI, algorithms, social media, and rapid internet culture, how do we separate truth from perception? How do we rethink criticism, authenticity, resilience, and leadership in 2026?

We break down:

• The difference between TED and TEDx

• How TEDx Sonoma County curates 200+ speaker applications • The “X-factor” that makes an idea worth spreading

• Why perspective feels urgent in the age of misinformation

• How live intellectual events build real community

2026 Speaker Lineup Includes:

• NBA Champion Festus Ezeli

• CEO and entrepreneur Mauricio Umansky

• Nichole Warwick

• Experts on AI, sleep science, multi-generational living, internet culture, and navigating change

The afternoon features curated talks, live performances, a Blue Zone-inspired reception, and a community gathering designed to spark conversation beyond the theater.

TEDx Sonoma County

📍 March 7, 2026

📍 Jackson Theater — Santa Rosa, CA

🎟 In-person and virtual tickets available (event typically sells out)

If you're interested in innovation, leadership, technology, media, psychology, or community-driven ideas, this episode is your inside look at one of Sonoma County’s most anticipated intellectual events.

🍺 Crack One Open: Death & Taxes

The Craft Beer Concierge revisits a Santa Rosa classic: Moonlight Brewing Company’s Death & Taxes.

Brewed since the early ’90s and dubbed a “San Francisco Black Lager,” this cult favorite pours dark as night while staying remarkably drinkable. At 5.3% ABV, it carries a slightly fuller body than expected for the style, with a bold roasted aroma that leans coffee-adjacent. The flavor balances that roast with a clean lager finish and a subtle creaminess that adds depth without heaviness.

Originally crafted to offer something dark yet approachable, Death & Taxes has earned its staying power — proof that a beer can be both niche and timeless.

Curious to revisit it? The Craft Beer Concierge hosts a beer & cheese pairing event at Moonlight Brewing on Tuesday February 24th. Tickets are available here.

Have a beer that surprised you? Share it in the comments.

The Ultimate Sonoma County Craft Beer Guide With Sayre Piotrkowski | Bay Area Brewers Guild + SF Beer Week Preview

Searching for the best breweries in Santa Rosa? Planning a Sonoma County beer trip during SF Beer Week? Curious why FeBREWary has become one of Northern California’s biggest craft beer traditions?

This episode is your inside guide.

FeBREWary started as a winter collaboration with Visit Santa Rosa to boost local business — and has evolved into a month-long craft beer celebration that now anchors Sonoma County’s beer tourism season. From limited IPA releases to guild collaboration brews, February has become a defining moment for Bay Area beer culture.

Advanced Cicerone and Bay Area Brewers Guild Executive Director Sayre Piotrkowski joins us to break down:

• The origin and growth of FeBREWary in Santa Rosa

• How Sonoma County became a world-class craft beer destination

• The history behind Pliny the Younger and IPA culture

• The connection between SF Beer Week and the North Bay

• The identity of Sonoma County beer vs. wine country

• Beer tourism in Northern California

• How breweries are adapting to changing consumer trends

• Why collaboration is the secret ingredient in craft beer

If you love IPAs, West Coast beer, brewery travel, Santa Rosa events, or Sonoma County food and drink culture — this episode belongs in your queue.

🍺 Crack One Open: “Bright Future” IPA (SF Beer Week Collab)

Instead of reviewing something already in the glass, we preview a beer you’ll want to hunt down during SF Beer Week 2026.

Each Bay Area Brewers Guild chapter brewed a collaboration IPA for SF Beer Week — and the North Bay team (Old Caz, HenHouse, Parliament Brewing, Cuver, and more) created a modern West Coast IPA called:

Bright Future

✔ Clear & bright✔ Crisp finish✔ Low bitterness✔ Big tropical hop aroma

Available at Old Caz in Rohnert Park during SF Beer Week (launching February 20) and pouring at the SF Beer Week Kickoff Festival in San Francisco.

If you’re building a Santa Rosa brewery itinerary, add this to the list.

🍻 3 Beers That Define Sonoma County Craft Beer

If you only drink three during FeBREWary:

• Death & Taxes — Moonlight Brewing Company

• Pliny the Younger — Russian River Brewing Company

• Chismosa — Old Caz Beer

From dark lagers to iconic double IPAs to modern local expressions — this trio captures Sonoma County’s range.

🔎 Topics Covered

Sonoma County breweries

Santa Rosa craft beer

FeBREWary events

SF Beer Week 2026

Russian River Brewing Company

Pliny the Younger release

West Coast IPA history

North Bay breweries

Beer tourism California

Best breweries in Sonoma County

Craft beer culture Northern California

 🔗 Resources & Mentions

SF Beer Week

Bay Area Brewers Guild

Visit Santa Rosa

Breweries:

Russian River Brewing Company

Moonlight Brewing Company

Old Caz Beer

HenHouse Brewing Company

Parliament Brewing Company

Cuver Brewing

Parliament Brewing

Influential Figures:

Vinnie Cilurzo

Brian Hunt

Whether you're a local craft beer fan, a Cicerone student, planning a Sonoma County weekend getaway, or just chasing the best IPAs in California and beyond — this episode gives you the roadmap.

Drink local. Explore Santa Rosa. And cheers to FeBREWary. 🍻