It Turns Out, Winemakers Really Like Beer

To some, it may be a dream to taste wine all day long. But to a winemaker, it’s serious business.

And while winemakers are passionate about wine— they wouldn’t be winemakers if they weren’t— when the day is through and they want to sip on something to unwind they turn to another adult beverage— beer.

“Beer is a subject near and dear to my heart and palate,” says Jay Turnipseed, winemaker for Napa, CA-based Rutherford Wine Company. “Beer is a cold, effervescent and refreshing beverage that is best enjoyed after a day of tasting wines and, at this time of year, lots of grapes. For me, I enjoy that first big sip of beer to explore and enjoy flavors that are different than wine, but more importantly, not focus too much on the details.”

And, it turns out, beer’s benefits serve winemakers far beyond just allowing them to kick back and relax— it actually helps them do their job better.

“When we are tasting wines at the winery, we are really paying close attention to the smallest of differences and very subtle nuances. We do our best to focus on finest of details in the glass. Beer is one way to refresh the palate,” says Turnipseed.

Adds Harry Hansen, senior winemaker at Sterling Vineyards, “During harvest, I have grapes, juice, and young, rather tart wines in my mouth constantly. It’s tough to go home to more of the same. A cold, bitter beer can be the remedy for taste bud fatigue.”

With harvest season rapidly approaching (or already here in some cases), several winemakers dished on what they will be drinking after-hours. And it’s pretty safe to say that it’s definitely not more wine.

Winemaker Picks

“The first beer that comes to mind is Russian River Brewing’s Blind Pig IPA. I like the hoppiness, with the florals and pine resin, but the Blind Pig logo with the eyepatch makes it fun. And it’s a home-town Santa Rosa brew. I like dark beers, too, and Moonlight Brewing, also in Santa Rosa, makes a schwarzbier (black lager) called Death and Taxes. I like the name and the coffee-like maltiness, great with a roast beef sandwich. At 5% ABV, it also drinks lighter than some.” —Harry Hansen, senior winemaker, Sterling Vineyards

“During harvest, I prefer lighter style beers. I often hit up a local brewery, Sonoma Springs Brewery, on those fall late afternoons or evenings. [I enjoy] Back Porch Pils, a fresh, crisp, Pilsner style beer, for warm afternoons and a game of corn hole and Sonoma Springs Kolsch, a light dry beer that goes well with grilled meat and vegetables.” —Stephanie Jacobs, Winemaker, Cakebread Cellars.

“I enjoy an occasional beer as an alternative to wine. My go to beer would likely be Stella Artois or an occasional Guinness, (in bomb form, preferably). They contrast each other in the fact that Stella is a light and refreshing beer for the weekend by the pool and the Guinness rounds out the night with soft, sweet chocolatey notes. Another refreshing go-to is Modelo Especial.” —Chrissy Wittmann, director of winemaking, The Prisoner Wine Company

 “My go-to beer during harvest is Trumer Pils brewed down the road in Berkeley. Tasting a ton of wine during harvest, I crave a beer that’ll cleanse my palate and quench my thirst after a long day’s work. It’s so clean and crisp, not overly malty and high in carbonation. Just plain delightful. The only issue: the first one goes down too quick,” —Tyler Elwell, Halcyon Wines

“Green Cheek. Evan Price is called in the industry the ‘Wizard of West Coast’ because he dominates every competition he enters for West Coast IPA. He should just be called ‘the Wizard’ in general because he’s such a smart brewer. He makes perfect West Coast IPA and pilsners and lagers.” —Drake Whitcraft, Whitcraft Winery

“While I live and make Gail Wines in Sonoma Valley, my roots are still in New England. I love everything that Maine Beer Company is doing— their packaging, message, and definitely their beer. I’m especially partial to their Peeper Ale. When I can’t find any locally— or I’ve run out of the stash that I’ve carried back from the East Coast— you’ll probably find me with a green bottle beer like Trumer Pils, made in our backyard of Berkeley, CA. Their beers are refreshing with just enough funk to satisfy after a long day of harvest.” —Dan O’Brien, owner and winemaker of Gail Wines

“I like a wide variety of beers. Mostly, I like the hoppy floral and bitterness that is found in big IPAs. Racer 5, Ninkasi Tricerahops and Pliny the Elder are my go-to beers. On hotter days I lean towards lighter weight beers like Lagunitas Summpin Easy or Founder’s Brewing All Day IPA. When I’m not in the mood for beer I will enjoy a Saw Horse Cider— light crisp and bone dry.” —Jay Turnipseed, winemaker, Rutherford Wine Company

“I like Pliny The Elder from the Russian River Valley, although it’s hard to get around here. When I find it, it’s like ‘whoo hoo’ and I have to grab it. Locally, I like Topcutter IPA [from the Bale Breaker Brewing Company].” —Katie Nelson, senior director of winemaking, Columbia Crest

“I love hazy IPA’s and Sierra Nevada makes one called Hazy Little Thing that is, like, my summer beer. I want to drink it all the time. And, I just found that Deschutes Brewery also makes a nice hazy IPA. But beer is like wine— different beers for different things. Sometimes, you just want a Coors Light.” —Lacey Steffy, assistant traveling winemaker, Chateau Ste. Michelle