Marin Brewing Company

This growler came from Marin Brewing Company in Larkspur CA. It came home filled with their wonderful IPA. A great place that I highly recommend (I even had the best sandwich of my life and one of the best cups of chili too). Well know for their IPA they also have a good (surprisingly) Bluebeery Ale (A light refreshing ale that's not a sweet as you might think) and a fantastic Point Reyes Porter.

Stone Brewery

Stone Brewery is located in Escondido, CA (just north of San Diego). I did not get this growler at the brewery (they shipped it to me), however I drink their beer all the time. My particular favs: Arrogant Bastard Ale (described as an "aggressive" ale that "you probably won't like") and their Ruination IPA (described by them as a Hop Monster). Stone makes some strong and sophisticated beers that I highly recommend. http://www.stonebrew.com/

Link to the Arrogant Bastard Ale (it's hysterical): http://www.stonebrew.com/arrogantbastard/index.php

Rogue Brewing

We went to the Rogue Brewing alehouse in the North Beach section of San Francisco for this growler. An Oregon based brewery, they create numerous styles and are sold through out CA, the northwest and even further. This is a specialized growler of their "Dead Guy Ale", a German style Maibok that celebrates the Mayan "Day of the Dead". A truly great beer. Personal note, we got this the day Amy traded in her good old Dodge Stratus for a brand spankin new succulent Saturn Vue. http://www.rogue.com/

San Francisco Brewing Company

San Francisco Brewing Company is a pretty plain jane operation and it's growler is a perfect example of that: standard brown style growler with no markings at all. We got this at their North Beach location. This one came home with their ShanghaI.P.A., an attempt at a west coast IPA that could have used more hops, but was extremely drinkable. http://www.sfbrewing.com/

Pyramid Brewery

This growler came from Pyramid's brewing facilities in Berkeley, CA. Pyramid is famous for their hefeweizen's, going so far as to have a giant how-to board in their alehouse demonstrating different ways to squeeze lemons into them. This growler, however, came home filled with their Thunderhead IPA, a decent west coast style IPA with just enough hops. http://www.pyramidbrew.com/

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

One of our favorite places. This growler came filled with their "Maverick" Amber Ale, named for the giant waves that occur right near the brewery and the surfing competion that challenges those waves. Our first growler of this shape, it features a swing top lid that really aids in keeping the beer fresh. http://www.hmbbrewingco.com/

E. J. Phair Brewing Company

This quaint little brewery located in Concord, CA produces a great English IPA and Stout. We went here the night we had my fiance's ring resized and came home with this growler filled with their "Stouter" (an English style stout that drank more like an imperial porter). http://ejphair.com/

Seabright Brewery

We went here the day after our engagement, also in Santa Cruz, this brewery features several award winners including their stout, amber, and their Sacrilegious Red ( a cross IPA/Irish Red). We took this growler home containing their Amber Ale, which Amy adored. http://www.seabrightbrewery.com/

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery

Another organic brewery, this place has a great IPA, Stout, Amber, and Porter. We had a couple here while we played Jenga, just hours before I proposed to Amy (great planning by me, knowing I might need some extra (read: liquid) courage before making the ultimate move). This growler we brought to our oceanside bed and breakfast containing their IPA. http://www.santacruzmountainbrewing.com/

21st Ammendment

My favorite brewery ever (named for the constitutional amendment that repealed prohibition), and the thing I will miss the most about San Francisco. Located on 2nd street, right near At&T park (and just a couple blocks from our 4th street apt). Well known for their 21A IPA and Watermelon Wheat. They define West Coast IPA with their 21 IPA. Their Watermelon wheat sounds too fruity but it must be tried to believe, it's great, a favorite with everyone who has tried it. We have several of these from our numerous visits, this was probably filled with their IPA or watermelon wheat. http://www.21st-amendment.com/

Thirsty Bear

Closest Brewery to our SOMA (in SF) apartment. A completely organic brewery and tapas place. They have wonderful beer, including a great ESB, brown ale, lager, and also a wonderful (believe it or not) Vanilla lager (which this particular growler came filled with). http://www.thirstybear.com/

Beach Chalet

Your basic clear growler, this was/is one of our favorite places from when we moved out to the bay area. Our dog, Porter, is partially named for the generic style porter (with jeff's help) and more specifically for the Beach/Park Chalet's Golden Gate Park Porter (for which this particular growler came filled with). http://www.beachchalet.com/