Middle of nowhere Cali visit

[skerrydude]

Well, from a map, Lost Hills looks to be int he middle of nowhere... I have an interview there and am flying into Bakersfield tomorrow (1/22). I saw this place as a potential place to get beer: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/17 ... jensen3618

Being from the East Coast, I would be stupid not to try and visit some of the awesomeness you guys are so blessed with in California. So, I planned to drive to FirestoneWalker (yes, I know it is 4 hours away, but I am slightly crazy like that) since they are open on Sunday. Is there a better bottle shop I should goto en route, or somewhere close to them, instead of Bakersfield?

Also, I am completely open to any suggestions or other options I do not know about.

[andy77]

Lost Hills is in the middle of nowhere. It is appropriately named. You must work in ag or oil? Or maybe in healthcare taking care of people who work in ag or oil?

The place you list has a decent selection. There are three other places I would point you towards in town.

Imbibe is a high end wine and spirits store that has a great beer selection, all of which is kept cold. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. http://www.imbibewine.com/

American Liquor. An ordinary owner-operated liquor store with a great beer selection. Half the beer is kept warm, I only buy the stuff in the cooler.
http://local.yahoo.com/info-21210341-am ... akersfield

Westchester Liquors. Family owned, been around for ever, good selection and friendly staff.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/westchester-liquors-bakersfield

The Firestone Walker production brewery in Paso Robles is more like 2 hours away, but there's not much between here and there so bottle shops for you will have to be Bakersfield or Paso. I don't know Paso, so can't help you with bottle shops there. You should be able to find plenty of quality stuff you cant get back east at the aforementioned stores.

It's a shame you weren't up on Friday, you could have attended our local club The Big Brew Theory's monthly meeting.

Good luck on the interview, PM me if you have any more questions, and look me up if you move to Bakersfield!

[Moby]

Andy77 is correct, Lost Hills is in the middle of no where. Think heavily before accepting that job.

I'm a local from the Paso Robles area, so if you go to Firestone Walker you also need to go to the Pour House, which is located 100 yards behind the Firestone brewery. Its the best beer bar in SLO county, and its also the best bottle shop. They usually have about a dozen hard to find craft brews on tap, and scores of craft brew available by the bottle. Anything they have in bottles/cans you can purchase and take home.

If your interview was a few months later, you would be able to go to the new restaurant that Firestone is building across the street from the brewery. It will open soon.

Good luck with the interview!

- Moby