Just across Putah Creek on the Solano County side of Winters, is an amazing oasis of food, fun and an array of craft beer: the Green River Brewing & Taproom.
Nestled right on the lazy, green creek bank (and yes, Putah Creek in Winters really IS the creek John Fogerty sang about in “Green River” — he spent his childhood summers at “Cody’s Camp,” just upstream), there is so much more to discover than just food and beverages at this amazing, spacious venue. There’s an entire playground out back in the Green River Park, just downstairs from the bar/restaurant. Volleyball courts, corn hole, giant Jenga and horseshoes are there for guests — just check out the equipment from the bar. This park is also the home of a variety of special events throughout the year, and is available for rent for parties and receptions. The park is also kid and dog friendly (leashes, please).
In the daytime, this is one of Winters’ newest hotspots for lunch. The menu features the most beloved “pub grub” — sliders, pulled pork and hot wings — plus a variety of handcrafted sandwiches, all with local names, such as “The Berryessa,” which is my personal favorite: chicken breast, creamy pesto sauce, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, and hardwood smoked bacon, on a perfectly grilled and delicious sourdough bun. The sides include thick, twisty French fries, and don’t take any of mine or I will slap your fingers. Their pizza menu is also unique and yummy, and their salads are big, crisp and fresh.
Be warned — their sandwiches are HUGE. You will need a lot of beer to wash them down! Thankfully, a lot of beer is what’s on tap at the Green River. They have a state of the art “Beer Wall,” which is completely self-serve. Just get a prepaid debit card at the bar, and fill ‘er up. Deschutes, Lagunitas, Victory — they’re all there and more. If you aren’t a fan of self-service, there’s a traditional bar too, and in addition to beer, there’s wine, spirits and mixed drinks.
When the downstairs park is open, parkside beer service is available — sit right next to lovely Putah Creek with a cold one and chillllll! A variety of entertainment and fun events is available, including weekly trivia nights, karaoke and live music. Just check their calendar to see what’s happening. A fun fact about the Green River Brewing & Taproom — it’s one of the few venues in Winters that stays open past 10 p.m.! Winters is the stereotypical “sleepy little town” — literally! The downtown essentially shuts down at 10 p.m., which can make night owls miserable. Don’t despair, night owls. Just fly on over to the Green River.
It is possible to walk there from downtown, however, the road has uneven paving and narrow shoulders, so caution is advised, as is a flashlight if it’s very dark. If you choose to drive, Green River has ample parking in the creek level parking lot, so finding a parking space is never a problem.
Green River Brewing & Taproom is located at 4513 Putah Creek Road in Winters. They are open Monday through Thursday, 12-11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11-1 a.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call 530-441-2337 or email jason@greenrivertaproom.com.
