Good news for culture's West Coast office: brewers have survived the recession, and are thriving in the capital.

"The secret to any brewery's success is being able to get their beer to the consumer," said Charlie Bamforth, Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences at the University of California, Davis. "The simplest option is the brewpub concept. One of the most expensive components of beer is the bottling and packaging. When you don't have to do that packaging, it's economically advantageous."

The region's newest start-ups are entering the market just as beer brands and brewpubs are experiencing a renaissance here. Already beer lovers have seen the debut of Loomis Basin Brewing Co.; Knee Deep Brewing Co.; and Ruhstaller, a brand that highlights Sacramento's storied history."Beer definitely has a momentum," said Dave Gull, owner of New Helvetia Brewing

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