Wine Bar
Unclaimed profileBarebottle Brewing Company - Santa Clara
Santa Clara, CA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Barebottle Brewing Company in runs a beer-first taproom with 20-30 rotating beers, including hazy IPAs and a crisp pilsner. The brewery also produces its own wines under a Type 23 license, using native fermentation and minimal sulfites. Non-alcoholic options include house-made sodas, kombucha, and hop water. Pricing is fair for the quality, though flights can run over $25.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Muir Woods Hazy IPA, a Citra and Amarillo showcase, or the Hella Hetchy Pilsner for a crisp counterpoint. For wine, try the in-house Gewürztraminer or Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley. Non-alcoholic fans should seek out the hop water or house-made kombucha.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the rotating taps and hazy IPA focus. Wine drinkers curious about brewery-made wines will find the native-fermented pours intriguing. Families and designated drivers have solid non-alcoholic choices, including root beer and kombucha.
- When should I go?
- Evenings and weekends are likely lively, but any time is good for a casual tasting flight. The rotating taps mean repeat visits offer new options.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Beers are $7-9 each, wines $13-14 per glass, and tasting flights run $25 or more, making it a mid-range craft beverage destination.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- Barebottle’s in-house wine production is a rarity among breweries, driven by Type 23 license restrictions. The use of native fermentation and minimal sulfites gives the wines a unique character. The beer program is equally distinctive with a wide rotating selection and award-winning reputation.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Wine
In-house wine production with native fermentation and minimal sulfites. List includes Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sparkling Blanc De Noir, Cab Franc, and Albariño from California regions.
Menu strengths
- — Unique in-house production due to Type 23 license
- — Native fermentation and minimal sulfites; Diverse California-sourced varietals
Standout selections
- — 2020 Gewürztraminer – Anderson Valley, notes of honeydew melon and honey
- — 2021 Sparkling Blanc De Noir – naturally fermented and carbonated
- — 2021 Cab Franc – blackberry preserves and baker's chocolate
Pricing: $13-14 per glass at Menlo Park taproom
Beer
Wide rotating selection of 20-30 beers on tap, including award-winning flagships.
Standout selections
- — Muir Woods – Hazy IPA with Citra, Centennial, Falconers Flight, Azacca, Amarillo
- — Hella Hetchy – Yosemite Pilsner, smooth and crisp
Pricing: $7-9 per beer, flights $25+
Nonalcoholic
Non-alcoholic options include house-made sodas, root beer, hop water, kombucha, and coffee.
Menu strengths
- — House-made sodas and root beer; Hop water and kombucha available
Standout selections
- — Hop Water – rotating hops, year-round
- — Hibiscus ginger soda – house-made; Kombucha – house-made
How it sits with the food
While food specifics are not documented, the hazy IPA’s tropical fruit notes would pair with spicy fare, and the crisp pilsner suits lighter dishes. The Gewürztraminer’s honeydew and honey notes could complement Asian cuisine, while the Pinot Noir’s cherry and raspberry profile pairs with grilled meats.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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