Our friend, Taylor—a fellow PA’er turned Californian— sends us this article today from Food and Wine, The Keg vs. The Cork in Sonoma. Seems there’s a rebel in wine country and his name is Chef Sang Yoon of the Father’s Office in Santa Monica.

Chef Sang Yoon will almost always choose ale over Riesling, and he’s happy to battle any sommelier about it. In Sonoma County—where wine geeks rule—he seeks out (and finds) excellent craft beers and creates six beer-friendly recipes. … 

… Mostly, though, he is certain about beer: “I’m on a mission. I’m convincing people that beer can be just as contemplative and fascinating as wine, and just as perfectly meshed with food.” …

… Yoon, who is opening a new branch of Father’s Office near Culver City this summer, is on the hunt for interesting new beers to add to his list, but the trip is also a pilgrimage of sorts. Sonoma County—despite its tens of thousands of acres of grapevines—is considered by many fans to be the place where American craft brewing got its start, thanks to the work back in the late 1970s and early ’80s of the groundbreaking (and now defunct) New Albion Brewery. …

Thanks, Taylor, for pointing out that beer fans exist in even the most unexpected places. (And, thank you also for bringing us a Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye and two Russian River Redemption on your visit to Asheville.)

Source: Food & Wine
Image: (c) David Tsay/Food & Wine