As we rolled out of the rain-soaked mountains in Humboldt County, Calif., and I caught my first glimpse of the stormy Pacific Ocean, one thing was certain -- I wanted to stop and get a beer.

We had discussed it an hour or so earlier and realized we both wanted to stop at the first microbrewery on the map, but for some reason we decided it would be best to set up camp before my roommate Jeff and I officially started off our two-day spring break indulgence and review of four of the area's famous microbreweries. We packed a cooler before we left Chico anyway so we were set for awhile. By the time we finished rigging-up an old blue tarp to four giant redwoods for shelter from the storm, and polished off a few Sierra Nevada Pale Ales, we realized the fun would have to wait 'til tomorrow. "It won't be easy," I said to Jeff that night, "four microbreweries in just two days." His only reply was, "We're up to it."

He was right. The plan was to hit Lost Coast Brewing in Eureka and Humboldt Brewing in Arcata on the first day. Then on day two it will be Six Rivers Brewing in McKinleyville and Mad River Brewing in Blue Lake. A tough job, but I was ready for the test. Next

© copyright by Cat Bytes; Magazine produced by online students of the journalism department, California State University, Chico. Page maintained by Dr. Glen Bleske.