03:59 PM

A look at the latest in local food, dining and drinking news

Get the scoop on six new Sacramento breweries opening this spring

Stephanie Towne

Image courtesy of Twelve Rounds Brewing Twelve Rounds Brewing, which is set to open in May in East Sacramento, will feature an outdoor beer garden and an indoor taproom.

As Sacramento Beer Week winds down into Sunday’s massive Capitol Beer Fest finale featuring 100 regional breweries lining Capitol Mall, we look ahead to what’s brewing elsewhere around the area this spring and summer. Keep these six sudsy upstarts in mind—in Sacramento, a revelatory new pour is never more than a few hops away.

Big Sexy Brewing Company

Scheduled to open this June in Auburn, Big Sexy Brewing Company will offer a broad variety of predominantly West Coast-style brews—ranging from American ales to barrel-aged beers and inventive options incorporating flavors like peach and mandarin—each prepared by brewmaster Mark Taylor. The 5,000-square-foot brewery and taproom will be buzzing with energy, courtesy of elements like video games, ping pong tables and pinball machines. 130 Borland Ave. Auburn. bigsexybrewing.com

Dragas Brewing Company

This brewery, opening in May inside a 5,000-square-foot industrial space in Rocklin, is owned by longtime home brewers Diana and Dan Acuff, along with Dan’s brother Shane and chief of brewing Dylan Clark. Dragas will launch with five brews on tap, including a pineapple-infused wheat beer and refreshing Kölsch-style ale, and in the coming year will rotate in other experimental seasonal beers like a stout flavored with chili and vanilla. 5860 Pacific St. Rocklin. 905-7710. dragasbrewing.com

The Monk’s Cellar Brewery & Public House

Downtown Roseville will get a taste of Old World Europe when The Monk’s Cellar opens on Vernon Street in late May or early June. Named after the Trappist monks who have brewed beer for centuries, the establishment will emulate the brewpubs that speckle towns throughout Europe with a warm, rustic atmosphere and a seasonal menu composed of items like charcuterie and moules-frites (mussels and French fries). Brewmaster Andy Klein, formerly of Sacramento Brewing Company, will craft beers ranging from Belgian ales to American-style creations (several Belgian imports will also be served). 240 Vernon St. Roseville. monkscellar.com

Oak Park Brewing Company

Longtime home brewers Tom Karvonen and Dave Estis will debut this establishment in mid-June, where they will prepare and serve a variety of craft brews like a barrel-aged Flanders red, rye IPA and Russian imperial stout. The brewpub will feature what Karvonen calls a “Victorian-industrial” atmosphere, with steampunk-inspired décor and elements like exposed steel and heavy rafters. Chef Christopher Davis-Murai, formerly of The Waterboy, will create a seasonal menu including items like handmade sausages and breads using spent brewing grains. 3514 Broadway. 538-0185. opbrewco.com

Twelve Rounds Brewing

Step into the ring in early May at this soon-to-be East Sacramento brewpub run by husband-and-wife Daniel and Elle Murphy. Twelve Rounds will offer an outdoor beer garden and an indoor taproom filled with communal tables and boxing-themed décor (including a mounted vintage boxing bell). The beer list—featuring options like “Uppercut” IPA and “Knock-Out” stout—will be accompanied by farm-to-fork fare crafted by John Bays, executive chef of The Red Rabbit. 866 57th St. 500-1059. twelveroundsbrewing.com

Yolo Brewing Company

Come mid-April, Yolo Brewing Company—led by Mike Costello, who owned the now-closed Brew It Up Personal Brewery & Grill downtown—will join the growing number of breweries taking root in West Sacramento. The 8,000-square-foot venture will include a tasting room and, within 18 months, a beer garden and kitchen. About 12 beers will be served on tap at launch, including everything from West Coast-style IPAs to German pilsners and lagers, all crafted by Costello and fellow Brew It Up alums. 1520 Terminal St. West Sacramento. yolobrew.com