Ah, the beautiful state of California. Breathe taking beaches, beautiful redwood forest and home of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. It's safe to say we have a little taste of everything and ultimately run the west coast.

With being born and raised in California I've learned a few things about its down right awesome amenities. With having the opportunity to travel a lot at a young age I have found it truly amazing nowhere else is quite as unique as The Golden State. A lot of people don't know California is home to a lot of amazing breweries and wineries. The well-known Napa Valley produces some of the best wine in the world, while famous breweries run up and down the entire state.

As much as I love a glass of wine to wind down from a hectic day, beer, especially locally grown will always have the number one spot. With being your typical curious young adult, I have found multiple beers here in Northern California that are considered the best. I am no expert beer critique to say, but hopefully this article will open your mind to try some of the best of the west. These are also in no particular order, if you're a lover of beer than you can discover for yourself which one is your chart topper.

Lagunitas IPA

Lagunitas Brewing Company/Petaluma, California

With the smell of citrus zest, pine needles, and malt immediately after pouring this beer is a favorite of anyone who likes a darker brew. The carbonation of this beer is just right making it go down smooth and settle well. I rated this one for its smell, look, taste and feel with an overall 5. You can have multiple beers in one sitting without feeling too full or too overpowered with the hoppy flavor. The style of IPA is very distinctive from most, making Lagunitas Brewing Co. a top in NorCal for this beer. With its golden color this beer is perfect to pair with your California sunset on the beach.

Great White

Lost Coast Brewery/Eureka, California

I have found not many people are familiar with this beer and brewery, and in my opinion they're truly missing out. This beer is only sold in Northern California, if you head down to Southern California in search of it, you will have a very hard time finding a store that carries it. This beer has a high wheaty characteristic with a light fruity taste. The beer goes down smooth and has a true crisp taste; it does a have a little after taste but nothing overbearing. This brew I have noted is very easy to have in quantity and eventually grows on you after a couple rounds, so drink up! With a little higher carbonation this would be perfect in multiples on a hot California day.

Hell Or High Watermelon

21st Amendment Brewery/San Francisco, California

You thought I was going to leave out beautiful San Francisco, didn't you? The historic city and view also comes with a side of refreshing watermelon beer. This wheat beer is brewed with real watermelon, but not too sweet, it has a hint of watermelon with the perfect crisp taste of beer. This beer stood out to me for its stand out like qualities. This brew is only sold April to September, it is perfect for a fruity feel on a summer day. The hint of watermelon reminded me of a watermelon jolly rancher, it was the perfect amount. The fruit and wheat balance each other out very well making it refreshing enough to throw a couple back before getting tired of it. The quality of the beer overall is unique, with being a newer brewery I think 21st Amendment will experience continued success with this brew.

Pliny The Elder

Russian River Brewing Company/Santa Rosa, California

With hearing nothing but good reviews and critique of Russian River and basically all its brews, I knew I had to experience it for myself. The taste is upfront and unforgettable, the distinct bitterness aftertaste may not settle with certain people but I raved over it. There are hints of grapefruit throughout your glass with a dank feel, the citrus is a bit overwhelming but the beer is light. The style of the beer is one of a kind it gave me a floral and earthy vibe, it categorizes differently from your typical IPA. With style and class, this beer has earned respect in my book. Fresh is best and that is exactly how this brew should be served.

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA

Sierra Nevada/Chico, California

Beautiful Chico, California- a whole lot of partying and a whole lot of beer. Sierra Nevada is well-known for their Pale Ale beer, people typically don't dig deeper to see what this place can really brew up. These guys are the OG's of California brewing, the Torpedo IPA is on the top of my list. Floral, pine and fruit aromas come with the smell as the beautiful amber color shines in your glass. With being their boldest beer in my opinion, you have to try a glass especially if you're an IPA fan like myself. This is a very easy IPA to throw back as you don't notice the content is 7.2%. This beer would pair perfectly with your weekend getaway with some friends to shred the gnarly Lake Tahoe mountains.

Tangerang

The Rare Barrel/Berkeley, California

With being a smaller brewery I had to make the trip to the tasting room for this one, but I wasn't mad about it at all. The Cellarmaker Brewing Co. in San Francisco partnered with The Rare Barrel to create this delicious beer. Rare Barrel is known for their sour tasting beers, something I thought I would never like. Tropical juicy hop smells arise as you the taste the beer. The taste up front is a bit tart with hints of pineapple and tangerine. The after taste is clean with a nice, sweet finish. I defiantly would make the trip back to Berkeley to throw a couple of these down again.

These are just a few of my favorite brews here in Northern California. With many more to discover my hunt for quality taste continues. Stay tuned weekly for another article following this one; Southern California has plenty of beer delicacies as well defiantly worth mentioning. Drink up friends and remember the possibilities are endless here in sunny California!