Beer, Wine & Spirits in Apple Valley

When Robb MacLeod's home ran out of room for his hundreds of batches of home brews—and the award ribbons they amassed—he turned to the casks of professional breweries. Now the head brewmaster at Alcatraz Brewing Company, MacLeod crafts signature and seasonal beers, such as Weiss Guy Wheat, Penitentiary Pilsner, and the caramel-laced Big House Red, which patrons can confidently imbibe as indignant wolves attempt to blow it down. In the brewery kitchen, chefs slather burgers with garlic puree, sage stuffing, and roasted peppers, smoke pork with dark ale, and hand-toss thin-crust pizza. Amiable waitstaff ferry plates and beer flights to Alcatraz's patio and around the San Francisco–themed dining room, which includes a to-scale replica of the Golden Gate Bridge and a stray wisp of ever-lingering fog.

Along with its original Pasadena location—which has kept neighborhood liquor cabinets in high spirits for more than 60 years—Mission Wine and Spirits stocks a massive selection of wine, beer, and spirits at its three outlets. Imported vintages from countries such as New Zealand and France share shelf space with more than 15 types of domestic wine. Amateur sommeliers can also choose from a range of ports, dessert wines, and sparkling wines. In addition, the shops fuel good-natured gatherings with domestic and imported beers, spirits ranging from Irish whiskey to absinthe, and digestives that settle stomachs after hearty meals or eating lava on a dare. Mixers such as celery bitters and sweet-and-sour mix spruce up liquors with cocktail flavoring, while nonalcoholic spirits and wines delight the taste buds of abstaining guests.

Though one could also call it a store, The Wine Club’s name speaks to its staff members’ passion for fine wines. Their passion and commitment to quality spirits at fair prices fostered the growth of the first singular club in 1985 into a trio of neighborhood wine and spirits stores by 1996. Shelves and display cases at each store are crowded by varietals from all over the world. During Friday happy hours and informal Saturday afternoon tastings, guests gather to discuss flavor profiles with fellow tasters, certified sommeliers, or vacationing extraterrestrials. The store also curates a variety of wine clubs for customers hoping to expand their palates.