“We Grow Beer” isn’t just a slogan for Ruhstaller Farm. It’s a raison d’être. Ten years in the making, the destination brewery, taproom, and event space that opened in 2021 emphasizes unique beers and a one-of-a-kind tasting experience within a setting that is equal parts welcoming and awe-inspiring. According to the Ruhstaller Farm website, “Our basic approach is to leave this land, water, and air, and the animals and humans we come in contact with, better off when we’re finished here,” the team says. Taking an agricultural approach to beer-making offers visitors the unique opportunity to not only enjoy one of our most beloved beverages but to understand the literal roots of the entire process.
Reachable by driving just 30 minutes southwest from downtown Sacramento, California, the nearly 40-acre property is easily accessible off of Interstate 80. Proprietor Jan-Erik Paino envisioned a brewery in the spirit of a winery with a vineyard, except with rows upon rows of hops instead of grapes and taps in place of bottles. California, of course, is famous for its Napa Valley wineries and towns reminiscent of the Tuscan countryside, but this inland, arid climate is also wonderfully conducive to growing the cone-shaped flowers used for flavoring beer and creating its characteristic bitterness.
Ruhstaller Farm makes beer from the ground up
Of more than 100 breweries in the Sacramento region, only Ruhstaller can also call itself a farm. “When you visit a winery, you’re learning about agriculture,” Jan-Erik Paino tells Sactown Magazine. “You’re learning about the craft of making the wine. There’s nature and atmosphere that is wonderful to experience. That’s how wineries drive home the agriculture component that influences the beverage. And that’s what we’re doing here on the Farm with hops and beer.”
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by walnut trees, fields of hops sending bines — yep, with a “b” — up the instantly recognizable trellis systems, and maybe even some wandering sheep and chickens. In early spring, vibrant yellow mustard carpets the fields, glowing beneath a wide-open sky. Tours are offered on the weekends, but you can visit the farm any day. As explained on the Ruhstaller website, “If we’re here … and you’re here … we’re open.” If you drop by on a Friday or Saturday evening, you’ll be able to enjoy live music from April to November while you sip beers with names like “Meadowfoot” and “Harvest Moon.” The farm is a family-friendly spot, so kids are always welcome — and well-behaved canine family members, too!
Ruhstaller Farm brews with locally malted grain, well-drawn water, homegrown hops, and sometimes even local produce like seasonal fruit, herbs, vegetables, and flowers. “We are getting zeroed-in on Sacramento-grown beer, which is so cool,” says brewmaster Jarred Sorci.
Food trucks serve up local fare at Ruhstaller Farm
