With summer just around the corner I wanted to point out a few beer date ideas that you and your beer loving mate should consider over the summer.

A baseball game at beautiful AT&T Park is already a good idea, however if you have never taken the ferry from Larkspur directly to the stadium I suggest you do. Plan on getting to the ferry building with enough time to make the very short walk over to Marin Brewing Co. for a bite and some of their delicious beer. After filling up on food and craft beer it will be just a short walk back to the ferry that will cruise you through the bay where you will be surrounded by a beautiful view. (Please check the ferry schedule and arrive on time). While enjoying the view and the ride you can order a beer at the bar located on the ferry. Once you reach your destination you will be just a few hundred feet from the stadium. While enjoying the game and the ferry ride back to Larkspur you will have spent four hours of fun filled time with your date while having the opportunity to completely sober up for your ride back home.

If north is the direction that you prefer I suggest taking the trek up to Healdsburg for the ‘Tuesdays in the Plaza’ concert series which begins on May 27^th and goes through August. It is free of charge and you are allowed to bring beverages and purchase from food vendors that line up the street. If you are familiar with the Healdsburg plaza you know that Bear Republic Brewing Co. is just a short walk across the street so while in town, dinner there before or after the concert would be ideal.

If date night happens to fall on a Wednesday between May 7th and August 20^th a trip to downtown Santa Rosa for the ‘Wednesday Night Market’ would be a great option. You can start by walking the closed to traffic 4^th street that is full of food and produce vendors and entertainment. Walking from the downtown mall and headed east on 4^th street you will arrive at a jammed packed Russian River Brewing Co. Sure the brewery is not a great place for conversation but the beer and thin crust pizza are so delicious. After filling up on one of the most highly rated beers in the world you will have time for a nice medium length conversation while on your walk to the Roxy movie theater.

I think that any of these three options would assure you at least one more date but in all honesty I’m better at giving beer advice than I am dating advice. Cheers!

– Peter Lopez